Caught In The Act
by channeled

Comment by Quadrajet:
Greetings from the Critique Club.

Well, I have to say that this shot does have that "surprise" look to it. It makes me wish you had included some information in the comments eluding to what she was doing to look so surprised. :)

I think some commenters are confusing focus with motion blur. The part of the exposure that was caught by the flash is certainly in focus. What they're referring to is the motion blur caused by a combination of ambient light and a longer shutter speed. At any rate, I think this movement helps emphasize the element of "surprise" in that, thanks to the motion blur, we can see that she's actually in the process of turning around/being caught.

People have mentioned the red eye, and that is an unfortunate side effect of shooting with an on camera flash so I won't go on about it.

The composition is ok, nothing spectacular. I think this image could have been improved with a lower camera angle. Right before you "surprised" her, you could have knelt (is that a word?) down to her level. That way we're getting a little different point of view as opposed to a "normal" point of view. To me, things like that add a different dimension to an image.

I hope this helps,
Quadrajet

Home For The Holidays
by channeled

Comment by dagaleaa:
I love the colors, and the softness

A Perfect Child
by channeled

Comment by vtruan:
Difinitely within the cute factor. Nice lighting and colors.

Caught In The Act
by channeled

Comment by Neil:
Good expression. A shame that the editing rules wouldn't let you get rid of the red eye. I think I would have considered cropping the right and putting her on the right 1/3 of the frame.

A Perfect Child
by channeled

Comment by Neil:
Beautiful capture. Nice light, good composition.

Caught In The Act
by channeled

Comment by unholycommunion:
the red eye! the peach eye! the focus!

A Perfect Child
by channeled

Comment by Natator:
Very cute candid shot indeed.

Caught In The Act
by channeled

Comment by sundeep:
Wonderful expression on the child's face. But too blurry, red-eye!?

A Perfect Child
by channeled

Comment by dsidwell:
As far as I can tell, she IS perfect! I like the natural light here; it's so pleasant and cozy. I do wish her head weren't cropped off at the top. Have you tried this in B/W? It may stimulate even more emotive communication. Nice work.

A Perfect Child
by channeled

Comment by jonpink:
Bad Points: bit under exposed. arm on right looks out of place
Good Points: a ncie cpature of sleeping child.
Overall Score: 4