What a lovely, simple photo. I really like the soft hues (possibly due to the early evening time you took it). Also, the bokeh in the corner is very pretty.

I don’t know what effect it would have on the water, but I wonder if closing down your aperture to bring the hand, pail, and water drips all into focus together would help these elements to stand out from the background and foreground.

The composition of this picture is unique and really interesting! I like how you didn’t include any more body than the little hand:)

I love the color pop in this shot and the composition leads the eye from the hand down to the water stream. Very nice.

My eye seems to be trying to find more detail in the water in the foreground. The transition from the hand to the water flows perfectly, but it seems like once I’m at the water, I want to see more reflection or more ripples … I’m not sure exactly. Maybe, like the comment above, closing down your aperture would include the water in the pop factor and kind of finish off the image.

I love the bokeh. It adds to the overall feel. I’m sure capturing this wasn’t easy with a fast moving subject, so kudos to you! Nicely done.

Lovely shot, I love the bright pink watering can and the little chubby hand. Water shots are so fun and go together with kids perfectly.
To me some of the detail has been lost in the splash area. I think you may have overexposed the water and that’s lost some of the detail and contrast. I think water reflections need one stop underexposure. It’s hard though because that may have made your hand too dark. I’m not sure if you can do this in editing or maybe increase the contrast in the water area.
The light is so beautiful and soft and the bokeh on the water is lovely.

I agree with everyone else–this photo has such a beautiful, dreamy quallity with the whites and pinks and yellows! I wasn’t going to critique at first because nothing jumped out at me. But I’m going to try not to be lazy ;-) I actually find myself wanting to see more of the kid –maybe even just a little more arm. Maybe I wouldn’t have that urge if (like other people mentioned) it was a little sharper around the splash area so that drew the eye more. If the hand is going to be the main focal point, as it kind of turned out to be, I’d like to see it farther inside the frame. I also am a big fan of that bokeh–there’s something so beautiful about it being in a line like that!

I am loving the sunlight bokah! I am a big fan of all photos with bokah. I also really love the brightness of the watering can. I don’t know that I would want to see more of the child. I think that it would be interesting to see a different composition…possibly just the watering can, the water and that yummy bokah. I think that you shot this at a perfect time of day. Way to rock it!

Hi Christina, this is such a lovely photo. I love the tones and the color of the watering can and I about fell off my chair when I saw that bokeh in the water! Inspiration alert! Beautiful job in including that, it adds so much depth to the photo. I must find a big water source that is reflecting light to photograph now. :) The biggest thing that I would try is making more of the watering can and water pouring out in focus. The hand is the only thing in focus and with the bokeh to the left of that hand my eye tends to stay in the top half of the photo. For me, I feel the focus is the child pouring the water so maybe closing down the aperture to get everything else in the foreground in focus would strengthen the photo and add to the story you are trying to tell. Overall you did an amazing job. I think you captured the detail in what your child is doing in a unique and fun way. Thanks so much for sharing with us!

I think this is a great photo to challenge us, because right off the bat I think “Wow!” It is bright and cheerful, and I love it!

I think I, too, would like the focus to fall on the spout of the watering can instead of the hand. I also would play with the actual position of the hand a bit because to me it doesn’t look like most natural positon (like there is some tension in the grip instead of just being loose and natural… does that make sense?)

I do think the tone and the bokeh really make this photo whimsical and fun! Wonderful image for sure!

Clever idea with the leading line on the top left. I followed it right to the end of the water spout. The other leading lines (arm and water flow) also led me to the spout. I agree with the other commenters regarding focal point on the spout.

Some areas look a bit blown, but you may prefer it to be that way. I know I do for certain images to add a forced draw of the eye to the area I have in focus. If the blown spots weren’t intentional, a quick highlight recovery would pull those pixels right back in.

Kudos to you for being brave and trusting enough to have your camera that close to a child with a water source! LOL

PS. I, too, am a nifty fifty shooter. Can’t seem to put any other lens on lately!

Thank you everyone for your fantastic critiques!! Now that it’s mentioned, I completely agree with the lack of focus on the dripping water and ripple effect. I was so excited about the bokeh in this picture!! It makes me happy every time I see it. Especially since this was a spur of the moment shot. I am definitely going to give this another go around. Thanks again for taking the time to critique me! Your advice and suggestions are definitely taken to heart. :)

What a fun and interesting photo! I ADORE the bokeh you were able to capture in the water! Wow!! That is one of those things everyone hopes for! Great job!! I would have liked to see this photo taken horizontally instead of vertically. I see why you took it vertically since that was the directions of all the lines in the image but if you had taken it horizontally it would have been interesting with the vertical lines. Plus, I think you could have included some of the body of the child holding the can. I agree with everyone about it would have been nice if the water was a little sharper where it was pouring but you would have needed to close up your aperture for that. I can tell you focused on the hand which was a smart move because you would not have wanted that to be out of focus! I love the pop of color of the watering can! It looks like you may have been able to get the reflection of the watering can if you had stepped back some. I’m not sure if you had the space to move around either. I can see why this is a favorite! Think you did a great job and I love how innocent and different this photo is! Remember this is your photo and your vision so keep that in mind when you read all the critiques :O)

What a gorgeous photo! Really capturing.
I think I would have tried to get the water dropping more in focus as it hit the water.
Great angle, cutest little hand ever!

Such a great photo! I love the soft colors! I would have included more of the child pouring the water to create more of a story. Overall, beautiful photo!!