I want to be a paperback writer
by elru21

Comment by scalvert:
Yep, you blew it. This was a 6+ score easily- maybe a top 10. ;-)

grace-20050523-02-web.jpg
by elru21

Comment by SherwinJames:
Good use of natural light here. The angle is right on.

grace-20060427-02-5x7-web.jpg
by elru21

Comment by Jutilda:
Awesome. The quintessential peek a boo. Adorable with those blue eyes.

I want to be a paperback writer
by elru21

Comment by Jutilda:
Love this. It has a timeless quality. Could have been taken 30 years ago or yesterday. Nice perspective. Love it in black and white with the wide frame.

louisa-20060505-04-web.jpg
by elru21

Comment by Jutilda:
That is a classic. Could anybody else get away with that expression but a baby? CUTE!!

I want to be a paperback writer
by elru21

Comment by whiteroom:
amazing!!

I want to be a paperback writer
by elru21

Comment by Makka:
You have a fantastic knack of capturing kids being themselves and this is no exception. Very nice use of natural lighting and a nice balanced B & W conversion. Great work!

louisa-20060505-02-web.jpg
by elru21

Comment by jenesis:
Beautiful! Love the lighting and her(?) expression is to die for.

Message edited by author 2006-06-05 12:00:35.

family-20060516-01-color-web.jpg
by elru21

Comment by Makka:
What a great photo. You've captured her eyes really well in this portrait. You have used a nice crop to frame her in this as well. Well done!

Fresh cut grass...YUM!
by elru21

Comment by ericwoo:
Hey there from the Critique Club

This is a terrific image and grabs your attention at first glance. IT really held me for a bit with the nice composition you created. The focus is crisp and the crop you have chosen works very well in this photograph. Your catch lights are very nice, as if peering into the heart of childhood. I think that wheeledd said it best below with "Cute shot of a kid with a dirty face but nothing to lift it to the next level." This really is a great shot, but with just a little time editing, it could be one that really pulls the viewer in and hold on. Whenever I critique a photo, I usually copy it and send it to photoshop to determine what I would have done with it. With this one, I spent just a few minutes and had something that I think would have drawn a ribbon. You stated that you thought it was over-sharpened. Perhaps on the skin, but the eyes really pop with the sharpening that you have here. I darkened the midtones to 0.88 with a levels layer, made a very minor curves adjustment with an S, added a Gaussian blur layer at * pixels and 55% opacity, then made a layer mask to uncover those beautiful, sharp eyes and those red lips. I ended up with a beautifully soft photo that had amazingly crisp eyes. Everything I used is allowed in the advanced editing challenges. Don't get me wrong, you have a very nice photograph to begin with. Nor I am saying that this is the only way to edit. But with just a few minutes of editing, you'd have a top ten, I believe. I hope these suggestions and this critique help.