Austin
 

I have some questions about a few photos -

This first one, if I were to do it I'd take out the items on the shelf and I was thinking about that line of the wall behind her face - if I were to move it back (to our right while viewing this) so it ran down behind her face, but not so close to the hairline. What do you think?

This one broke my heart. If only I moved her away from the window farther, set my white balance better and had a better reflector....

Here is my question for this one -
Can this composition be ok - if I make that small part of the foot bare? I know he is too light here, but I can work with that since I have him in person every day. I do not want to attempt to take another shot getting the foot better because it is the only real unposed look I have EVER gotten off him.

Hi Kim...
On the first one, I'd be inclined to do the opposite and move that line further to the left as I think I'd like the increased contrast of the dark behind the bright profile of her face... this would also keep that white side reading as part of the window framing...(especially if you'll be removing the things on the shelf)

On the one with Austin (I presume!), the bare feet would be cute... but it might be nice to show more of them. Could take him out again at the same time of day etc. and get some shots of just those bare feet coming out from his overalls?

Terri,

Actually, Austin is the model! The little farmer boy is my son Jacob.

Thank you for the comments - they make good sense.

Am I wrong for loving such a boring composition like this one?

Kim, why would you say this is boring? It's no more boring than a Bouguerreau in a similar costume.

I like the way the grass radiates in an almost sunburst theme around your son. It would be worth investigating if 3 or 4 inches added at the bottom would help the composition or not. That would include his feet.

Garth

Thanks Garth.

I guess on the one I figured was boring I was just noticing a lack of interesting negative shapes. I do like that one and will paint it I believe.

I lose all sense of clarity when it comes to my children, they all look beautiful to me - so I have learned to question my own judgement when using them as models. I will re-photograph him - the little bugger is the only one hard to work with - he makes the most unnatural faces when the camera is pointed at him. I'll stick to just the figure part to re-take it.