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Critique Me-Christi at Mama Sparrow Photography
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Remember:
Read How to Critique a Photo
Make a critique sandwich – something positive, something you would have done differently, something positive
My rule: no improvement tip = deleted comment
This will benefit the person leaving the photo critique just as much if not more than the person receiving the critique.

Thanks to Christi at Mama Sparrow Photography for submitting the following image.
Settings: f/3.2, ISO 640, SS 1/2000

20 Comments
  • Erica
    June 11, 2012 at 9:06 AM

    The colors in this photo are great! I love his expression and his eyes literally sparkle. The composition is a little off for me, though. I would have preferred that the top railroad track not be running through his head. The tree at the top of the photo also distracts from the main subject. Love the details, though – a great fall photo.

    • July 2, 2012 at 12:18 PM

      I too love the colors. Interesting enough, I had not even noticed the rail through the head until pointed out, possible because his adorable expression stands out. Awesome lighting. Again, the tree i like, but perhaps just a smidgen to the left.

    • Christy
      July 24, 2012 at 6:33 AM

      This photo is adorable, I LOVE pictures along railroad tracks, and the light reflecting in this gorgeous little boys eyes is great. However, I have to agree with Erin in regards to the positioning of the railroad tracks, maybe the photographer could get an alternate perspective by standing above the subject or a further back.

  • Becca
    June 11, 2012 at 9:13 AM

    What a cutie! I love the leading lines in the photo – the train tracks really draw your eye to the subject. It’s also great that you’re down on his level for the photo. I probably would have shifted to the left just enough so that the tree isn’t coming from his head, but just to the side of him instead. You could also try a slightly higher angle so you can see more of the cute cap; that’d take care of the tree problem too ;) Great job!

  • June 11, 2012 at 9:14 AM

    First of all, CUTE! I like the whole scene color scheme. The colors of his outfit look great, and bring out the color of his eyes, and it matches the surrounding colors – the railroad tracks, the trees, the dried leaves, etc. I would have positioned myself differently -maybe lower- so the other train track wasn’t right behind his head. Also, I would have tried to get him closer to the rule of thirds position in the frame. I like how he’s sitting, and looking up and away from the camera. I also like how he has just the beginning of a smile. This is really sweet, I love the feel of it overall.

  • Meredith Esarey
    June 11, 2012 at 9:23 AM

    I love the colors in this photo, the browns and greys look so organic. I would have changed positions a bit to the left because the tree behind him is a little distracting coming out of his head. I really love how the tracks are angled, it draws the eye right to the boy. I think this photo is great and I’m sure this cuties mom is thrilled with this.

  • LeiShell
    June 11, 2012 at 9:41 AM

    I love the setting of this photo, and subject is so darling. Maybe a little focus on the eyes and slight angle change, since the tree distracts the top portion of the photo. And a little focus on his eyes, since they’re so stunning. All in all great photo. I loved that you included the foreground with the leaves and tracks.

  • Theresa
    June 11, 2012 at 9:54 AM

    He is a cutie. I agree with the other commenters about shifting to the left to move the tree in the background away from his head. Or maybe find a section of tracks that doesn’t have anything major in the background. The only other change I would make is to lose the hat. It looks too small, and like it was just plopped on as an after thought. The colors are great – all the browns & grays make his blue eye shine. His expression looks natural and unforced. Good job!

  • Sam
    June 11, 2012 at 10:14 AM

    I absolutely love the look on the little boy’s face! It’s so sweet and innocent. I wish the background was more blurred a little so that the focus was more on the boy. I also wish the colors were a little more saturated. I really love how the picture doesn’t look posed and forced!

  • June 11, 2012 at 10:44 AM

    Feels weird to critique my friend, but here goes:

    Love J’s stylized outfit. Love the colors, and his sweet little face. Love that he is on the tracks giving a slight old charm to the image. I would like to see his eyes sharper, and I too, find the background distracting a bit. I like seeing some environment, but the angle on the back track shifts the horizon and makes the horizon seem askew. I would get lower and shoot so that the back track isn’t part of the composition, and thus running through his head. And just for fun, I might plop a vintage suitcase by him. :). Overall, a sweet image of a sweet little guy. Love the style.

  • June 11, 2012 at 10:49 AM

    Great job at capturing that precious expression on his face! So cute! I would probably have framed it a little differently, maybe came in a little closer instead of getting so much of the surrounding rocks, etc. I love that he seems so relaxed and natural. Thanks for sharing!

  • June 11, 2012 at 11:20 AM

    Your choice of location and background are very nice. Having him sitting on the tracks matches his outfit perfectly!

    Something I would have done differently, is that I would have shot it from a different angle. The tree kind of looks like it is coming out of his head. It is great to have in the background, but from a different angle would have been even better. Also, another thought, if it was possible to get lower, might have been nice as well. Making him off center would have also been something I might have done differently.

    The colors and skin tones are perfect! They are very well balanced. Exposure, white balance, focus… all perfect! And the expression on his face is a great capture! If I were this little guy’s mom, I wouldn’t care about the tree or anything… I’d make it a huge canvas and put it on my wall! Nicely done!

  • DazGam
    June 11, 2012 at 3:44 PM

    I’m really envious of the detail that you have captured, there is so much detail. The colours are great and what a perfect location for a photo. The sky at the top catches my eye a bit much because of the angle. I really like where the little boy is looking too, it tells a story.

  • June 12, 2012 at 3:53 AM

    Thank you all for taking the time to comment. I appreciate all the tips and compliments.

  • June 13, 2012 at 12:52 PM

    I love how you captured a genuine smile! My tip for improvement would be to change your angle so the tree/train track isn’t running through his head. And maybe brighten it up a tad. Your focus is spot on, which isn’t always easy with active kiddos. great work!

  • June 14, 2012 at 6:00 PM

    My initial thought when I saw this image was, “how cute and adorable!” I love the image although I do agree that the composition could have been changed slightly and shot from a different angle. The only other thing I would have done was to blur the background a little more. This is a great photo and he is very cute. I love the colours, lines and texture in this image.

  • June 15, 2012 at 11:11 AM

    Tha is again to everyone who commented. . I appreciate everyone taking the time to give me tips and pointers. Ithis is the first time I’ve been critiqued and you all were so kind and generous with compliments and instructive with tips and changes. It was a great experience.

  • Teresa
    June 16, 2012 at 3:02 AM

    I love the colors in this photo! SO precious, I love the natural look.

    The only things I would have done was lose the hat, looks like it’s about to fall off, it should be bigger and a couple inches above his brow bone. Also I agree with changing the angle just a tad. I’m not one of those that believe there shouldn’t be anything in the background of a photo, but I would move my angle so it’s not right beside his head. Also sometimes there is no other way to shoot something so it’s not going through someones head. And honestly I don’t find it as horrible as everyone else does. (Speaking of the train track)

    I love nature photos, so this is a fantastic pic to me! And I love how the little boy looks timeless.

  • Sarah
    June 18, 2012 at 9:50 AM

    I think you have captured the little cheeky smile of the Mr. beautifully!
    I find that the train tracks make the picture a little uncomfortable for me. I feel as though the tilt makes him look like he is going to fall out of the picture.
    I also believe that should have just shifted your angle a little to avoid that tree being right behind is head.
    Overall a well composed photo :)

  • Rita
    July 27, 2012 at 12:02 PM

    Oh, that hat and those chubby cheeks! Very sweet capture! I’m curious as to how it would have changed the overall feel if you had been down lower, more on his level, which would have prevented the back railing running right through his head. The fact that the back rail is even with his eyes distracts me from really being able to focus on those sweet baby blues! I love that he looks like a world traveler, ready to set off on yet another adventure!

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