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Archive 2016 · Birthday Cupcake

  
 
twistacatz
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Birthday Cupcake


My daughter turned two on Wednesday and these are two of her friends from the party. For some reason this picture really pulls me in, I'm wondering if anyone else has the same reaction...


Untitled by maddenlive2006, on Flickr



Jun 24, 2016 at 02:09 PM
GoodEgg
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Birthday Cupcake


Based on the look on her face, I wonder what she is thinking -- "What is this icing??" "Is this all there is?" "I am going to get one sugar rush..." Cute daughter, lovely memory captured.


Jun 24, 2016 at 02:40 PM
Jim Rickards
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Birthday Cupcake


Kids birthday parties make good memories, so you will cherish this shot just the way it is. You asked if it was pulling me in. Not really. I see so many things other than the child.

Here are issues that come to mind for me and ways to make future shots like this even more memorable.

Expression. Seems to not like the camera pointed at her or didn't like the taste of the icing. If you like her expression, disregard this comment. All expression can be interesting. Happy expressions at parties are popular.

Distractions - somebody's head, bottom right. Half a head, left side. Arm, top right. Other child looking away. Food plates cropped. Big orange blur, left side (balloon, I guess). The viewer looks at these things instead of the birthday girl.

Llighting. The eyes are dark from the high sun. A little fill flash would bring them out.

Aperture selection. Would have been nice to see the cake and the balloon, if they were in focus.

Suggestions
If you are going to shoot wide and show the second child, attract their attention before the shot. Then they will be part of the shot, since they are looking at the camera. For an individual shot, shoot wide open and blur other things.
Shoot stopped down more to get more things in focus.

Crop with an awareness of the edges of the frame. When viewing the scene in person, the edges are not an issue. We "tune them out" somehow with our eyes/brain. When we take a photo, these thing become distractions to your subject.

I hope these points help you make even better photos next time.



Jun 25, 2016 at 05:51 AM
twistacatz
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Birthday Cupcake


GoodEgg - You nailed it on the head in terms of what I was thinking. The expression on her face is priceless and it's what I enjoy the most about this picture.

Jim - I really appreciate your truly in-depth and honest feedback, it was great to read. I think her expression and the icing on her face is what pulls me in. I also like the "natural" framing that the head, orange ball and girl far left bring. I think it helps zero in on the subject. I also like the fact that the boy sitting next to the girl is looking elsewhere to kind of emphasize that this was a candid shot.

I understand and I agree with some of the technical issues you stated, but still I'm drawn to this picture. As always I appreciate the comments guys.



Jun 28, 2016 at 12:45 PM
bcguy
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Birthday Cupcake


"Geez, Dad, the camera again?"

My son gives me the same look after the 3rd photo or so. Great shot--because of it!! These kinds of shots give life to your photo collection. It'd be boring if everyone always had a perfect smile. She's not just a cute little girl with a photo like this, she's you're daughter in a perfect moment, and you'll never forget it.

I like the processing too.



Jun 28, 2016 at 11:20 PM





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