Day 1: Haley and Abbey
by socalsteve

Comment by rmezzo:
You've captured a very cute moment here as the kids obviously look like they are having a good time. Although the lighting looks like direct flash, it does not look overly harsh as it normally does. A little bright on the hat, but you make due with what you have. I like your tight crop as well as it adds to the closeness between the two.

The one suggestion I would give you is to use the burn tool is some areas just to clean it up. Mainly the object in the upper left corner, the wisp of hair in the upper right, and the brighter spots on the boys shirt.

Day 2: Bad Omen
by socalsteve

Comment by Jutilda:
This is terrific!!!

Day 2: Bad Omen
by socalsteve

Comment by stupidcat:
Great day 2. Love the lighting. Very interesting photo. I like the photos staged to tell a story. Almost like a movie set image. Very cool.

Day 2: Bad Omen
by socalsteve

Comment by TCGuru:
Composition: Your placement really draws me in. I am not sure I would want to be the one opening that door! LOL!

Lighting/Exposure: I think you nailed the light for this type of shot. Very nice job catching the blade in the flash as well. I would like to see the door in a bit more focus. Maybe at f8.

Pose: Menacing. Fits this photo very well.

Suggestions for Improvements: The only suggestion is to try a deeper DOF. Your cam is obviously on a tripod, a slower shutter wouldn't have mattered much :)

I can't believe you managed to catch your reflection in a piece of glass. Very nicely done. I wouldn't want to be the one walking through that door! :)

Day 2: Bad Omen
by socalsteve

Comment by shalrath:
The door is a nice touch. Great exposure on the knife as well. Nice one!

Day 1: Haley and Abbey
by socalsteve

Comment by shalrath:
Ditto on what Claire said. I'd love to see some more light in their eyes on their face. The oposing colours in the shirts work well for me though.

Day 2: Bad Omen
by socalsteve

Comment by photokariangel:
oooh, what a dark way to start off the month! haha, but thats ment in the best way, this image is awesome. i love the feeling it gives, making me want to look in my closet for crazy men with knives. bah!

Day 1: Haley and Abbey
by socalsteve

Comment by lovethelight:
This is a cute shot, I would just love to see more light on their faces because the bright spot on the hat is so bright it catches the eye and distracts from their faces.

Day 1: Haley and Abbey
by socalsteve

Comment by TCGuru:
Okie dokie, here is the format I am going to use for comments this month :)

Composition: I really like the way you have them placed in the photo and the angle of the camera here. They look very close and it really brings in that sense of family.

Lighting/Exposure: Your exposure is good on their faces. I am guessing you used an onboard or hotshoe flash aimed right at the subjects. Camera attached flash really creates flat lighting if not used with some type of diffuser though. I see it in the really bright spot on the boy's hat. I do like that you managed to avoid shadowing on his eyes even with the hat on.

Pose: Again, the fact that they are touching here really brings this together, IMO. Both of their heads angled the same way makes for wonderful symmetry.

Suggestions for Improvements: For the lighting: Try using some type of opaque plastic and bending it around the flash. Perhaps secured with rubber bands. For PP: I would like to see softer catchlights in the eyes. This can be faked by using a soft round brush in PS and just painting over where the catchlights already are. For the pose: I would like to see more of her face. She is a cutie and should show it off. :)

All in all a very lovely, and very festive, shot.

Launch!
by socalsteve

Comment by bmartuch:
I really like the color on this. Nice sharpness.