Begining photography

Hi, I'm an extremely green photographer, and i'm looking for some honest and constructive criticism about an image. I used a Canon D60 50mm lens. As far as PP, Just some skintone correction, and darkend some of the background. Any comments and suggestions are welcome. Thanks

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I like it overall my only suggestion would be to chop off some of the top to put much attention on the subject. The DOF is good but not as strong as it could be.

Thanks for the suggestion Derek, I'm not sure what DOF is

DOF = depth of field... If you use a lower aperture such as 1.8 the background is more out of focus. The background ( trees ) are pretty complex in you image. If you use a lower aperture, it might simplify the background.

OOOh I do like the image.... Maybe crop as Derek suggested

Increased DoF will help contrast the subject from the background (which is distracting). And the color seems a little warm overall IMHO (yes, I use calibrated monitors).

The way it is now, my eyes are forced to the dress, as it has the contrasts from the rest of the shot.

EDIT : I meant DECREASE the DoF to INCREASE the contrast between the subject and the background

MattMoore wrote in post #7705231
Increased DoF will help contrast the subject from the background

Okay, I'm confused. Doesn't a wider aperature (lower f stop) DEcrease the DoF, resulting in more bg blur (OOF area)? Whereas INcreased DoF brings more of the range into focus. So increasing the DoF will have the opposite effect to what you've stated. Unless I'm missing something (not unusual for me).

I think what Matt is saying is the increased DOF helps the separation between the background and the subject.

Here is an example. The subject stands out and the background is blurred. Does this help?

I a going to buck the trend: I like it, the DOF works well as the background puts the subject in a great woodland context. The bright dress is a fabulous contrast to the rest of the image. All I can say is that if you got lucky with this shot, then you got very lucky and if it came out the way you wanted and expected it to, then you are indeed a talented beginner.

scorpio_e wrote in post #7706043
I think what Matt is saying is the increased DOF helps the separation between the background and the subject.

Right, which is why I'm confused. If you increase the DoF, more of the background comes into focus. To get greater separation of subject against background, you want LESS background focus -- not more. That is, you want to DEcrease DoF to gain better separation. You and Matt are saying the opposite -- that increased DoF (more stuff in focus) helps the separation. Hence, my confusion.

Low Number = Large Aperture = Shallow DOF = More Separation
High Number = Small Aperture = Deep DOF = Less Separation

neil_r wrote in post #7706292
Low Number = Large Aperture = Shallow DOF = More Separation
High Number = Small Aperture = Deep DOF = Less Separation

Yes, that is my understanding. Therefore:

Low Number = Large Aperture = Shallow DOF = More Separation => DEcrease DoF.
High Number = Small Aperture = Deep DOF = Less Separation => INcrease DoF.

Spot on

I agree with Neil, the woods adds to the location of the subject. More blur may have taken away from the impact.

I think DOF should be described as "narrow" and "deep" instead of increase/decrease, seems like the term may be confusing.