Girl and Dog - CC please.

Hi all,
I snapped this yesterday after getting my 24-105. I'd like some feedback please.

Feeling great! Do you use a flash?

Thanks,
no flash was used. I used natural light, there are patio doors in front the of the subject (behind me).

The colors look decent, maybe a little to much red.

But why did you use exposure compensation of -1? The photo is under exposed by almost a full stop so the camera's metering was likely correct. Also the DOF isn't deep enough for both faces using 95mm and f4. f7.1 or f8 would have done better.

Also the faces are dead center in the frame which is rarely good for a portrait composition. Use the rule of thirds as a good guide.

Thanks Happy,
I use -1 because I find the camera overexposes in some instances. So I permanently left it there.
You're right about trying to offset the subject. It was a quick snap, however I should have remembered that.

I'll try again with f8, bumping the ISO and using IS should help.

HappySnapper90 wrote in post #7709730
But why did you use exposure compensation of -1? The photo is under exposed by almost a full stop so the camera's metering was likely correct

other than the vignetting that was added, i can't see how it is underexposed. the lighting seems just right on the subjects. what am i missing?

I agree that it is slightly unexposed... should be easy to bring back in pp though... It's just a little too dark.

Michael Bottoms wrote in post #7710367
I agree that it is slightly unexposed... should be easy to bring back in pp though... It's just a little too dark.

okay, now viewing this on another monitor, it looks still as if some vignetting was added but the subjects are even brighter. it looks like any more stops up and a hot spot would develop on the lady's nose! nevertheless, the exposure seems to be in a great range that would allow adjustment to whatever print or viewing medium you may need. i think we're splitting hairs here...

rickdog wrote in post #7710060
other than the vignetting that was added, i can't see how it is underexposed. the lighting seems just right on the subjects. what am i missing?

The midtones (skin and dog's hair) may look fine to you, but IMHO they look rather dull and muted. These being under exposed lead to the shadow areas getting less light, darker, and without detail. If it is exposed better her face and eyes brighten up, etc.

You can certainly go for a darker look if you wish, but that would be your choice.

BIGTUFFGUY wrote in post #7710034
Thanks Happy,
I use -1 because I find the camera overexposes in some instances. So I permanently left it there.
You're right about trying to offset the subject. It was a quick snap, however I should have remembered that.

You should start to use the histogram on the shot review as an exposure guide for when you need to reshoot with negative EC or use positive EC. After a while you'll know when you need to use EC and in which direction and amount based upon the colors you have and the lighting you have.

If you shoot RAW, you can easily fix up an under exposed image. But have you heard the phrase: expose to the right? It means expose your histogram as much as you can without having it touch the right edge of the graph (a little touching is actually ok because a little highlight can be recovered with ACR recovery slider). Even if it's too much light for the subject you won't have any blown highlights. This'll mean you exposed the shadows as best you can and you can easily pull down the exposure in RAW development.