Shipboard (Critiques wanted)

This is a candid shot of my mum(on the right) and my aunt the first evening of our cruise last month. Let me know what you think. Any and all comments/critiques are appreciated.
Thanks
Kaylesh

Wow. Can almost feel the wind on the face.

Very nice candids. 2 things I would identify as improvements: 1. better control of the shadows (not much can be done there I suppose since it was shot with what you had to work with) 2. some leading space in front their faces.

Those clouds are awesome though

Cheers

I like the second one much better. Lovely ladys with beautiful silver hair.

Harold

Thanks Harold.. I have to agree ayonoms suggestion of leaving more of space leading to their faces works much better.. again thanks for the kind words.
Kay

I like the composition but it looks over-sharpened to me.

always use fill flash unless you have a reflector to control the shadows. and try and keep them from squinting by taking the shot form the other side so that the sun is to the back. or under the shade.

Thanks for all the comments.. They really do help.
Ssim I didn't do any sharpening at all.
Eric thanks for the comments.. Will try to remember about using the flash as suggested. However if i had taken that particular picture from the other side i would'n't have gotten the backround i wanted. Ohhh well practice practice practice. Saying that I doubt i'll be on too many more cruises any time soon.
Again thanks, comments are appreciated.
Kay

They look over sharpened to me too, especially the first one.

I see it's the same photo, just different cropping... What software are you using to crop and re-save? If you look at the difference in their hair between the 2 shots, and also the rim of your aunt's glasses, you'll see what I mean about over sharpening... you say you didn't sharpen them at all, so I think it might be too much jpeg compression.

The sky is nice, but the lighting is a bit harsh on their faces... fill flash or a reflector under their faces would have helped, but who carries a reflector with them?

Used Photolightning to crop and resize .Aye i tend not to have the reflector handy at all times ... I'll for sure try using the flash on another similar occasion should it arise.Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Kay

agree here. my vote is for the second shot.