Ok everyone I need your input here. I really love doing fun, sassy kind of portrait sessions. I really like this shot of my cousin. Is it boring, or would it be something that cleints would like? Thanks in advance!

Honestly, I think it's too cluttered - the idea however is good, I think it just needs to be simplified a bit, maybe a bigger gap in the stairs would help too - oh and a blank wall on the back if you can find one.

just my personal opinion.


I love that you try new things though! you never know what's going to happen!

i agree with brent. i like the idea behind it, but you just don't seen enough of her to really make an impact. you do however see a lot of dirty, grungy stairs...which aren't nearly as interesting as she is.

Hi Crystal. I think its a good shot, but could be improved IMHO. I would tend to move closer to the steps, making the apparant gap between steps bigger, and probably would shoot where the step is more flat/horizontal to the subject so that it does not obstruct as much of the main subject. If it were me, I would want to give the impression of peering through the steps but not necessarily put the obstruction in the viewers face. But it really comes down to what do you want to present with this image as the artist? What emotion are you wanting to evoke in the viewer? This same image shot a different way may well "tell" a different story than the story "told" by this image.

Man...you guys are a tough crowd! I think I need to hear from the ladies.

Seriously, thanks guys! These are all things I needed (but didn't) want to hear. But as a growing photographer it's helpful to hear how each one of you would have taken the shot differently and that was my goal!

Crystal, I love the building, I love the stairs, I love the color, and I even love the concept...(sigh) but I agree with the guys...It also looks a little forced and if there were a bigger gap I think this picture would have been really cool.

+1. For some reason too, I think the image doesn't seem to work as well as it could because she looks kinda uncomfortable in that position!

Use the background and foreground (as well as tbe depth of field) of your image to bring out your subject. I think your subject kinda gets buried in everything you've got going on in that shot.

Obviously there are many different ways to get a great image, and you've got to find your own voice or style, but as for me I try to keep my compositions simple for the most part and keep the subject very clearly defined. Using lines (found either in architeture or elsewhere) can really help a lot too. David Beckstead is king of this!

Here's a few examples of what I mean.... I hope this helps a little!

I think what kills it is:
1. 30% DOF- Seeing the bricks in focus behind her kind of distracts me. I think if you did a duplicate layer of the whole image and did a gaussian or 'lens blur'- you could mask in her face and it would be a lot more interesting.
2. 70% Contrast: The most extreme contrast is in the window and the windowsill/stairs. Crop out the window and bring up the contrast on her face and it would be great!

Thanks, Ashley, Chris & Michele! This is all very good information. I was totally loving the brick, but should have thrown it out of focus more. Right now I don't any versions of photoshop. I just touched up the colors a bit in a program called Corel. I
'm saving my pennies to get the full version of Photoshop & then I will be taking a classe on how to use it as well. So please know that I didn't do anything to this image but enhance the colors a bit....that's all. I am just getting started in photography, and I have soooo much to learn. This has been a wonderful place to start. I really appreciate everyone giving me your input, advice, compliments and encouragement! Thanks so much!