Photo Critique?

[undecidedowl]

You got some cute shots! I am trying to improve my photo skills too so I'm probably not the best to critique.

One thing I struggle with is getting the focus just how I want it. On the close up of the baby, I would try to get the focus on the closer eye or increase the aperture so more of her face is in focus.

[MadamePresident]

I'd try to leave more space above their heads in the 1st and 4th shots. It looks like they are crowded. I'm far from a professional, so that's my only comment besides, your girls are getting so big.

[Deleted]

Omg my favorite topic ever. The first one looks underexposed and a little on the blue side. How are you setting your white balance? On auto sometimes it will get screwed up. I also feel like sometimes if it's off then I can't get my exposure correct.

The second pic it looks like the wb changed. I love the back light you are getting through the trees. Looks great from a manual perspective but the tilt is a little distracting. Love the bokeh you are getting with the background. Also watch the hands. You may have chopped it off.
The third is adorable. You have amazing focus on the eyes. I love the aperture you chose for this. She is also getting good catch lights in her eyes. In all of these you picked a great spot where the sun is creating nice light. I would just allow more room around this because I would love to see the rest of her adorable baby chin.
The forth is underexposed. I think the slide may be throwing your meter off. It's so bright. If you had light room you could just brush her a little to up her exposure and warm her up.

The last one is great on the light and exposure. I wish I had more of her body.

Overall you are doing an amazing job. I just started last year and my stuff wasn't this good. Are you using your built in camera meter? If it's a Canon they tend to underexpose. You can check it with a grey card. On my last camera I had to bump my exposure a little from the middle to actually get it correct.

[Ashley&Scott]

I am no expert but I love the bokeh! What kind of lens are you using?

I really need to learn how to shoot in manual mode.

[Deleted]

Now looking at the 3rd on a big computer, the left eye is in focus but the right isnt. I would increase you wperture a little bit and try to get both in focus.

[t]

AW, your girls are so cute.

I would adjust your white balance a little bit - the tones look a bit on the cool (blue-ish) side on my computer.

The 2nd is a bit out of focus and the 4th is underexposed.

You picked a great location - excellent bokeh!

[ryry]

No clue on criticism--my pictures come from a crappy iphone--but your kids are adorable

[Deleted]

oh I think those are great shots. I love the 3rd one, especially!

[irish]

No suggestions, sorry... But just had to say I LOVE the 3rd photo, and the last one is my next favourite...

Not much use to you I know.

[t]

Jul 2, 2015 9:43:08 GMT -5 @peggyolson said:

Jul 2, 2015 8:34:17 GMT -5 t said:

AW, your girls are so cute.

I would adjust your white balance a little bit - the tones look a bit on the cool (blue-ish) side on my computer.

The 2nd is a bit out of focus and the 4th is underexposed.

You picked a great location - excellent bokeh!

Thanks!

Regarding the focus, I was struggling with that. What setting do you suggest? I had it on single point focus, which was nice but it also meant I kept having to re-focus which made me miss some shots. 

I would up your aperture a bit and play around with that.  Since your background is so far away, you will still get the good bokeh.  Increasing the aperture should expand your area of focus.  It's really hard to photograph a moving target, so I would play around with your shutter speed as well.  Use the meter inside the viewfinder to gauge exposure.