Point & Click Need Help

[Picture_Video]

I have just been using the default settings of my Nikon D70. My photographs do not show good technique. How can I impove? What should be the ultimate thing I should look
for when I am shooting? Lighting? I know in the photo below the shade is in the child's face. Also, I live in Tx, when is the best time to shoot?

[johnastovall]

What kind of post processing software to you have to work with?

Best time to shoot early morning or late afternoon or in moderates shade at other times for what it looks like you are wanting to do in this.

To improve composition, look at the work of the master of photography and do an analysis of how they use light and line to keep the eye in the frame of the image. Great paints are also good for this. Here is a quick introduction to the subject.

[Picture_Video]

Thanks for the intro to a subject resource link. I have just started reading it and find it extremely informative.

Jamie

[kenw]

Typically you would want to shoot from the sunny side of the subject. that will put the sun on her face.

Shooting at mid day will tend to wash out the colors somewhat, altho as in your pic it is dependent on the sun angle. Here while you shot INTO the sun and put her face in a shadow, the color on the water came out well.

What camera are you using and what settings are available? I would recommend that you try to move away from A (auto) setting and try some others if they are available.

we love to help, but practice is the best teacher!

[arunap]

best thing is to understand the effect of colors (kelvin scale) during each part of the day. prefer evening or morning times when the sun is less harsh and the reds and blues are much in the air. Also use Flash Fill if you are forced to take pics during afternoons. Flash fill is a forced flash even when the sky is bright (afternoons), it helps to eliminate the shadows. Also put an exposure lock on the skin so that the camera is not fooled by the harsh surroundings.