First post of my little baby girl

[Alex13177]

A photo I took a couple of weeks ago of my daughter. CC please.

[auddii]

I like the composition of this and the flowers that she's holding. I think she needs a tad more light from the left side. I'm also undecided about the DOF. My first thought was that I wished that the flowers were in focus, but the more I'm looking at it, the more I agree with your original choice.

And your daughter is absolutely beautiful! Love the expression you caught on her face.

[KenJulio]

Originally Posted by auddii

I like the composition of this and the flowers that she's holding. I think she needs a tad more light from the left side. I'm also undecided about the DOF. My first thought was that I wished that the flowers were in focus, but the more I'm looking at it, the more I agree with your original choice.

And your daughter is absolutely beautiful! Love the expression you caught on her face.

First, Welcome and Congratulations on a beautiful daughter.

I agree with Audrey in that a bit more lighting from her right, like a foam white board bouncing the light from her left. Which I presume your main source of light was from a window.
For me the DoF IMO could be deeper, yet again, it's my opinion

[Sonny]

Hello Alex,

First of all, welcome to the forum.

Second, I applaud you for jumping in with both feet and posting a photo on your very first thread.

There is not much more I can add that Ken & Audrey haven't mentioned. I would have liked to see all of your daughter's face but the important bits (eye, nose, & mouth) are visible.

[Alex13177]

Yes I was using the breakfast area window as main light, she is sitting on the breakfast table. I will try and use a reflector next time.

[KenJulio]

Something about a baby's smile, it's contagious

[Hardrock]

Very cute! I agree with others and would like to see one with the flower in focus as well.

[BenE]

Personally I would have lit the face from the other side, but as it is, in my opinion, the lighting ratio is suitable for a child.. not a high ratio nor is it flat. When babies are flat lit, it makes their face look.... well..... flat. The face has dimension and shape as it is.

The flowers seem to have been softened with Photoshop, because the hand under the flowers is not that soft. The fabric in the foreground appears to have the same type of softening. If that is the case, just back off a bit on the softening.
This might have been a gaussen blur, it is difficult to tell.

Change the catch lights from low in the eye to about the 2 o'clock position, which might match the key lighting better. Finally see what it looks like with not so tight a crop.

The clothing color, background all works very well together. So, now that I think about it, perhaps if the flowers were in a color more in keeping with the background.. off white... that might work also.

[Alex13177]

Thanks everyone for your responses, I will try your suggestions next time I shoot.