Lane

It is so hard to get my grandson to be still long enough to actually take a picture. He has a huge bruise on his forehead, the reason it is in B&W. Trying to improve my skils, if any, so I can take better pics. Any comments?

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A bit low contrast for my taste...

But I'm far from a B&W processing expert.

I agree that it's a little flat, the flash isn't helping with that either. Try to get him outside maybe? You don't necessarily need him to pose for you to get a good shot. Get him outside, let him be a kid, and get a shot of that. I think it will be better as a photograph, but also as a memory to look back when he's older.

Also the crop seems a little tight for me.

Thank you, will use that info next time. What do you mean by flat? Just that it is in BW and doesn't show much depth? I am new and could use all the info I can get my hands on.

The full on flash is what "flattens out" this image. I would suggest looking at the direction and quality of light. try this exercise. take a test subject (probly not the little guy, but the hubby) have them stand about 3 feet from the sliding glass door in the kitchen or a large window. have them face the window and circle around subject and shoot all the way around. have them then turn 90 degrees and repeat. repeat process untill you can tell what the direction of light is doing to your subject. this will create depth and tonal contrast that is pleasing to view. Next notice that flash and digital don't usually mix well. the quality of light using front on flash is almost always harsh. Getting a fast lens will allow you to shoot without flash in lower light. If price is an issue, the 50 1.8 is around 100 dollars.

vpnd wrote in post #11088640
The full on flash is what "flattens out" this image. I would suggest looking at the direction and quality of light. try this exercise. take a test subject (probly not the little guy, but the hubby) have them stand about 3 feet from the sliding glass door in the kitchen or a large window. have them face the window and circle around subject and shoot all the way around. have them then turn 90 degrees and repeat. repeat process untill you can tell what the direction of light is doing to your subject. this will create depth and tonal contrast that is pleasing to view. Next notice that flash and digital don't usually mix well. the quality of light using front on flash is almost always harsh. Getting a fast lens will allow you to shoot without flash in lower light. If price is an issue, the 50 1.8 is around 100 dollars.

Thank you very much. I will try that out.

Hey! I'm reasonably sure we used to have that couch Nice pic of the grandson

By flat, folks mean there's a lack of contrast in the image so there isn't much visual depth or punch to the image. Since you have image editing on, here's a quick pass I did on it in LR3 to give things a little more "pop"

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Wow, I can see alot of difference. Thanks. Thanks to everyone for the input, I appreciate it very much.

I like the original shot and don't mind the crop at all, but agree it's a bit flat. Snydermark's edit, however, is some piece of work!