How can i improve this

[paul1968uk]

Hi Guys/gals

What are your thoughts on this photo without any editing and how can i now improve it with editing to make it look better.

Any advice always welcome and appreciated

 

[philipfirth1983]

Paul, You have posted this in the wrong section, I think it should be in people section.

As for the pic, if you try and get everything right before the shot then you will save yourself the hassle afterwards. Simply by cleaning the childs face and changing the top there wouldn't be much wrong with it.

Apart from that the only other thing wrong i can see is there isn't enough light on the top of the face making his hair look crop. If you were going to try and edit it use healing tool on the face and patch tool on the clothing.

Phil

 

[joxby]

Guesses

The om on camera flash isn't going to get you a great photo, you need some good all round soft lighting, bounced or diffused from as many directions as possible and loose some of those shadows.
There isn't enough detail recorded in his hair to lighten it, too dark to edit.
He does need cleaning up a bit, shirt/chin, around the chops, and the radiator needs to go, these things you can do in edit but a hanky + clean shirt + change of angle = less time and effort spent faffing in photoshop =

 

[CT]

Yep - flash on camera used directly is the biggest problem which is why he looks like he's caught in car headlights and the catchlight right in the centre of the eyes is unattractive.

Concentrate on better technique rather than trying to fix it - the lighting is a bit too flat to do much with.

 

[paul1968uk]

Would i be better getting a speedlite flash gun added to horse shoe and bounce this of walls and ceilings.
Not too bothered about clean shirt etc as i was only playing with settings as been having problems getting clear photos so wasnt going to be a serious shot to keep only for you to guide on how it could be improved on setting s wise etc.

 

[CT]

Would i be better getting a speedlite flash gun added to horse shoe and bounce this of walls and ceilings.

Yes, yes, yes!

Bounced flash makes a huge difference. Think about some sort of diffuser too - anything which softens and spreads the light just has to help.