I have received positive feedback on this photo. I was wondering what this forum thinks Please click here for photo.

It sucks.

It's a cute picture, but definitely unbalanced as far as composition. Crop it vertically with her head at the top and you might have something.

nice use of depth of field. great vibrance, but the face looks little soft. don't mind that eejit that posted about it before. its a nice picture.

too blurry and soft and she didnt smile

the soft depth of field is nice and the colors are there!

crueben wrote:
It sucks.

Aren't we honest! Maybe a little rude, but at least honest! Maybe you could elaborate on what you don't like about it so the poster, and maybe some of us others can learn from your critique

I like the shot, maybe not at quite a severe an angle, but don't think it needs to be square to work. Althought that would work too, maybe find a happy medium if you're interested in pleasing almost everyone... The softness could be from downsizing for posting, did you use any USM afterwards? It might help.

Welcome to the forum and let's see some more!

David

has a snapshot not a photograph feel to the image.

Have to agree with what the others say - nice colours and dof, and the angle works pretty well, but it does look too soft.

crueben wrote:
It sucks.

Keep it friendly crueben- We're all here to learn I presume and youre post provides no benifit.

As to my comments:
Sorry, I didn't really like the compostion. Might play around a little more with the angles etc. Depth of field is expressed, and you might try a little desaturation of the background in postprocessing if you have that capability. As for exposure, the face is in shadows, and the eyes don't have much life. Might try a little experimentation there in post as well.

Keep shootin- And in the meantime, don't let the rude affect your motivation.

Gerry

Thanks for all the feedback - positive and negative. It is of course more helpful to hear what is good/not good rather than "it sucks".
I have made some changes to the original based on feedback. Click here and tell me what you think.

I am not good at people shots, and I review this board mainly to be amazed, so take my thoughts with that very large grain of salt.

I like the crop better than the original. But, the shot is still a bit soft. Have you tried sharpening? Also, most if not all of the shots here are lit magnificently, or are "naturally lit" in a very nice way. This shot, even processed, has too many shadows, especially around the eyes, which I now understand is VERY important.

It still looks like a snapshot (a very nice one) and not the type of stuff that is seen daily on this board. I must say, though, most of those shots seem to be done with an incredible amount of equipement, preparation, and forethought.

Not trying to be harsh, just an objective (but not talented) observer.

The crop works better, but her eyes and the center of her nose is yellow, and the crop magnifies that. If this were a portrait shoot, I would re-do it. I agree with the others too.. it would be a better shot too if she brushed her hair and smiled. Regardless, it's a good shot.