I see you
by bennettjamie

Comment by Louis:
I'd say this is one of those photos that has a "cute" factor attached to it, which may be somewhat appealing, but it suffers from some technical and stylistic difficulties that are probably resulting in a lower score.

Most obvious is the awkward position of the animal's head. Though leaves are in view, it's not immediately obvious that it's being fed, and it actually looks a little uncomfortable. I think that's slightly alienating for the viewer. The head's position also makes for an awkward composition, as it slices the photo virtually in half in a way that is not particularly appealing. The composition is very cramped, and whereas that is a style choice in many cases (see the Edward Weston challenge), it is unconscious here, and therefore doesn't work well. The background is exceedingly busy, and detracts overall. Had it been more out of focus, we'd be able to at least ignore it a bit more and concentrate on the subject. Overall, the colour is drab and muted, not generally conducive to a "cute animal" shot. Finally, the photo is more of a snapshot than a well thought-out image. We don't feel any investment from you, the photographer, in this image. If you had somehow told a story, or offered your view on something with this, or communicated something tangible, you would have succeeded. All of those things are for you to decide, however.

To improve the shot as is, you could have worked on the tone levels in post, sharpened it a bit more, and selected and blurred the background out. It would still have suffered from many of the compositional and stylistic problems I've mentioned, but you could have improved some of the technicals in order to get your score up a few ticks.

My best advice for any photographer is invest in your photos; invest in your imagery; ask yourself why you are taking your picture; and tell us the story of that picture, once it has meaning for you.

Eyes of Innocence
by bennettjamie

Comment by expatdawn:
Tones seem a bit washed out. A very lovely portrait.

Eyes of Innocence
by bennettjamie

Comment by Dphoto:
Yes, her eyes do seem to be the FP but the photo needs some PP to make them stand out more. Light, contrast, something.

Innocence
by bennettjamie

Comment by bassbone:
the light on her face is fantastic - i just wish this cropped down as the bench doesn't seem to add anything to the photo IMO

Innocence
by bennettjamie

Comment by giantmike:
This is a good pose, and a really cute girl/dress. I wonder if a tighter crop could have worked better, as the right side of the photo is full of distracting elements.

Innocence
by bennettjamie

Comment by mycelium:
Generally good exposure and DOF; however, the grimace fails to charm. Also, what in the world is going on with her feet? I'm trying to figure out why her left leg appears to be on backwards.

My daughter Jaelyn
by bennettjamie

Comment by bennettjamie:
I look at some of the others that scord above me, and I can't figure out how this one was below them. I wish I knew what criteria people were scoring with. I never do good in challenges, and I feel like I should stop entering challenges, I am no where as good as everyone else, and I never have a good photo, or comments explaining why they scored me so low.

Originally posted by Art Roflmao: Now if you'd have just jumped in there with her, you would have gone from a 4.6 to a 6.4. ;-) She is adorable.

My daughter Jaelyn
by bennettjamie

Comment by Art Roflmao:
Now if you'd have just jumped in there with her, you would have gone from a 4.6 to a 6.4. ;-) She is adorable.

My daughter Jaelyn
by bennettjamie

Comment by bassbone:
very pretty little girl

My daughter Jaelyn
by bennettjamie

Comment by giantmike:
A nice idea for the challenge. My suggestion: a bit sharper focus, especially in the eyes. Also, the straight on lighting is a bit harsh (it's normally best if the light reflections in the eyeballs is in the 10:00 or 2:00 position). But it is a good place for a portrait.