Wife and daughter

[Evertking]

to

[pnodrog]

Great tones and a nice sense of gentleness and caring. However I would far prefer a crop without any sky.

[Evertking]

Think so?? I contemplated that for about an hour. Thanks will give it a go.

[billtils]

I agree with Paul.

[pnodrog]

Think so?? I contemplated that for about an hour. Thanks will give it a go.

I realise that the tree tops and sky help portray the setting but I feel the benefit is so slight compared to the distraction it causes that the photo would be better off without them.

[Shadowman]

I actually prefer the sky in the composition, I know it can be seen as a distraction but for me it adds a bit more danger/eeriness even though that is probably not what you wan to convey. Even without the sky, the thickets hold a bit of mystery and concern for me as if this location is not exactly friendly; nicely done.

[fatehproductions]

Great tones and a nice sense of gentleness and caring. However I would far prefer a crop without any sky.

I agree with you. Great click.

[billtils]

Another view ... literally!

The image did not show as a letterbox crop the first time I saw it. Having now viewed the original correctly the sky looks fine. Having said that, I wonder if you'd like to try a 3x4 crop and see what you feel about the result Mike? Try it portrait and landscape style, with some space to the right in the latter.

[Dave Humphries]

If this were mine Mike,

Aside from crop discussions, I think I would spot heal the white spots (midges or seed/spores?).
Going back to the crop; I do prefer this without the sky, but I'd also take just a tad off left hand edge too, losing only the "J" of your logo.

My instantaneous thought on first seeing it was 'that's too wishy-washy' - I felt it needed a definite black point somewhere. However, I have not viewed it on a histogram, nor tried wiggling the overall black point, which I fear might not achieve a good result, so it may be that what you have here is the best for this scene.

I do like the colour tie of the grey wrap/blanket around your wife and your daughter's grey cardigan. Also your wife's hair and the grasses balance in the composition too.

Being impracticably pedantic, I had to zoom in to try to figure out what the brown thing was on the far side of your daughter's face - turns out it's a leaf she's holding/chewing - it attracted far more of my attention than it should, but at moments like these, I've no doubt it was a blessing to keep her relatively still and in one place while you shot.

Hope those musings are helpful,
Dave

[pnodrog]

Another view ... literally!

The image did not show as a letterbox crop the first time I saw it. Having now viewed the original correctly the sky looks fine. Having said that, I wonder if you'd like to try a 3x4 crop and see what you feel about the result Mike? Try it portrait and landscape style, with some space to the right in the latter.

I must agree. The sky is less intrusive when the photo is viewed full screen. Strong compositions tend to work well in all sizes but not always.