Newbie trying to learn - photos of my baby

[thetamax8]

Hello,

Really new to photography (and this forum). Just trying to learn how to take better pictures of my baby.

Would welcome feedback, criticism, comments, suggestions, etc.

Should I crop the bottom a bit? The tiny part where the diaper shows seems to take away from the image


IMG_2556 by hansonlam1, on Flickr

[Maritimer1]

Nice lighting. Maybe try a black and white conversion and crop a bit of the grey background at the top? The black and white might create a more pleasing blend into what is left of that area at the top and would look after any distraction the yellow band on the diaper might cause.

[rpcrowe]

I played with cropping a bit of the grey off the top and then using the clone stamp tool to clone in the fur to cover the diaper. Then adding a sedate black border works also.

[thetamax8]

Great suggestions. I'll give them a shot. Thanks!

[ggt]

After viewing a few threads here with baby pictures, I've decided there is no bad baby picture. I want to hold them all! I love his expression. You'll probably see it everytime you try to take his picture for the rest of your life. My teenager still gives me a similar look. "Can I move NOW?"

The only thing I see on this shot is possibly a little over exposure on his left temple. I'm new too, and working on lighting, so I might be a bit hyper-particular right now. Blurry hand doesn't bother me at all, it's the faces I love. Thanks for posting.

[Stagecoach]

Hi, You have done very well with focus on the eyes and the lighting. What I would suggest is that you take pictures at different angles rather than the 'straight on look' to make them a bit more interesting.

[pnodrog]

Hi, I hope you do not mind but it seemed easier to illustrate what I would do. Just using a clone tool you can get rid of the distracting grey background. Did it quickly but if you do it carefully on a full size image you should get a better result. My wife spotted me editing and commented what a lovely baby.

Increasing canvas size on right hand side and cloning down the edge would give a little more room for the finger that is on the edge of the photo. Simplest to just check background for distractions when taking the photo.

[thetamax8]

Again, awesome feedback. I'll incorporate that into the digital edits too..Great!

[rpcrowe]

After viewing a few threads here with baby pictures, I've decided there is no bad baby picture. I want to hold them all!

Gretchen, I know what you mean! I feel the same about pictures of dogs! However, there are some pictures that are a bit better than others. IMO, this image is an excellent start and only needed a tiny bit of PP to make it really nice...

[Loose Canon]

Hi thetamax8!

I wouldn't really have anything else to add to what's already been said except for this...

Where the heck did that child get that magnificent head of hair? I'm more than a little jealous!

Oh, and maybe if you'd like to include your first name in your profile that would be nice. Maybe even where on the Planet you are located?

Looking forward to seeing some more shots of your baby, thetamax8!

[ggt]

Gretchen, I know what you mean! I feel the same about pictures of dogs! However, there are some pictures that are a bit better than others. IMO, this image is an excellent start and only needed a tiny bit of PP to make it really nice...

It certainly is an excellent start --I might be a big jealous. Only, I don't know if it is Thetamax talent or the fact that I CAN'T HOLD THAT BABY!!!

LOL