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Don L's picture

Editing question - tell me what I should have done

So, this was edited from 1 to 4...Tell what you think...what I should have done or do...

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3 Comments

Firstly, you do not need to buy a new camera/lens combo as someone else suggested. What you are using is fine, especially if you're just learning.

What you should have done:
--- light the subject properly. Doesn't matter, natural or artificial. Without even putting the viewfinder to your eye, you can already read bad lighting on her.

--- watch your shutter speed. This image is out of focus/blurry. Probably the main reason is you shot at 1/41 secs @ 166mm on APS-C body. There could be other reasons, but just know, when your shutter speed is too slow, it doesn't matter if your system has image stabilization because if the subject moves, you'll still have a blurry image. I'm typically at 1/125 sec minimum.

What you should do:
--- chalk this up as experience and move on to an image with better lighting and in focus.

As you are no doubt learning, photography is about light. Light is our most powerful tool but it can be our most beastly foe.
This image is a prime example of how when we use the light to help tell our story it works. But when don't harness the power of the light....
I would recommend you don't put your creative energy into learning editing. Not just yet.
I would suggest you put all your energy into getting some of the fundamentals understood and then....
Remember, It's NOT the camera nor lens! Never has -never will be!
It is all about the eye and skill!!!!
So keep exploring and learning and keep sharing with us!

I agree with Black Z Eddie and Julian, D Man. This image has a good idea at the heart - the "environmental" portrait with the blurred background that sets the scene and adds visual interest - essentially rendered undoable by difficult lighting.

So, yes, chalk up to experience, and keep going. I often recall Cartier-Bresson's quip that his first 10,000 images were his poorest.