I really like this one. I don't really think that it looks unnatural at all. This is the way that she was laying and it is how you captured her. Uncomfortable, maybe, but nonetheless, I think it is a fantastic shot.

I like how intriguing this photo is.

I've ready through a lot of the comments and I kind of agree but I kind of like the out-of-the-norm element you have going! I think I'm going to be the only one but to me, I don't think she looks as tense but like you caught her in motion. Her facial expression does make her appear a little uncomfortable but she's child. We love an facial expression they give! Her hair is caught under her face as well as the side of the ottoman so it doesn't look completely unnatural. I kind of like it!

I think the hues and tones here are excellent! And I like the white/khaki with the black.

The only thing that does get my attention is the extra space around her. Since she does seem a little off center, it makes my eyes think there is more space than what there really is. I would have cropped at the top a bit and on the right side.

I know what you mean by photographing family! I take pictures of my nephews and they squirm and squirm and squirm because they think Aunt Steph is there to play!!

Well done photo! Can't wait to see what you capture with her next time!

Wow, never thought this photo would get this kind of attention. Interesting take & comments from everyone. Thank you all!

I'm disappointed that I haven't had the time to try again and incorporate the suggestions, but I keep coming back to this photo of her. The little Mona Lisa Smile puts a grin on my face!

Great frame and nice technique.

Hong Kong airport?

Oustanding!! The reflections, silhouettes, everything! Just perfect!

Hey everyone,
Thanks for the comments and the feature. As I mentioned, I was playing with toning and settled in where you see you it. Glad it seemed to work on some level.

lkol22: This is the airport in Seattle.

Wow! Absolutely wonderful!

Thanks!

I really love this. It's slightly slanted toward the right but I can't tell if that's the street or not...I really like the blur in the subjects and the writings on the wall. I haven't got a clue what they mean but they look great! LoL! The single chair stands out to me, and combined with the blur of the other subjects, it adds a great sense of solitude. This is really good!!

This is a very nice composition, you've got the walker coming in from the left and the cyclist coming in from the right leading you to the chair in the middle. You've captured it well. Good choice of black and white here.

The composition is really nice and the light works well with it, highlighting the area around the chair (and the speaker or tv, or whatever is hanging up there).

Even the chair has a role in this one. Well done!

Wonderful wide angle perspective and I really like the slight slant on either end, motion and tones.

Very surprising, how goes the photographer and his apparatus?
In any case, a very dynamic and interesting photograph. Greetings.

I got a kick out of this one. Studying it I like the composition, lighting and detail. The mouth is blurred to convey motion of 'attack' while the other bird gives a look of 'what are you doing?' Thanks for the laugh. Should also place this under the Funny topic.

The other part that is freaky is the white eyes of the bird as if they are rolled back crazy.

Great capture!! do you still have a lens? :)

S U P E R B ! !
Very original !

Buena composición, para mi también sobra el copete de la copa. Una pena los reflejos que hace el cristal, que el pie de la copa este algo desenfocado y que la copa este algo inclinada.

Muy original la idea, me gusta el contraste de blanco y negro.

Quizas sobre un poco la parte superior, pero muy buena foto.

Felicidades.

Soy un poco repetitivo, pero quiero decirlo.
Me gusta la foto. La idea me parece muy buena, la resolución también, la luz, la exposición, la definición...
lo que me gusta menos es que el pie de la copa esté inclinado y que sobresalga un poco el contenido de la copa (aunque, esto último, quizás no sea tan malo).

En general me gusta y me parece que has tenido un buen control sobre la toma.

Nice photo. Love the black background, it adds so much to the colors in the subject here.

Very beautiful work on this one! I agree with Clyde in regards to the space at the top of your photo. Excellent shot!

Best,
Jon

Yeah, there are a lot of things you can do with a little photoshop knowledge.

And if you don't want to spend the money on it, there is always Gimp (Gimp.org) which is pretty good for free software. It's not photoshop but you can still do some decent photo editing with it. It's tricky to learn at first, but just play with it and you'll get it!

Once again, thanks I will try it but it seems that most people use PS. It will be a fun toy to get and play around with.

I agree with photoDaniels.
If you cannot afford PS, get gimp.
It will at least get your feet wet and give you some ideas of what you can do.
Also there are some specific scripts from gimp that i use.
Depending on the situation, i would do raw through PS, minor changes, run through gimp script, finish in PS.

Really give it a try!

I just love the soft sweet expression. I'll check out the black and white because I think that would be great here! great job!

I like the portrait but there are too many shadows...

A pesar de que me encanta la toma la encuentro un poco oscura quizá demasiada saturación. El color rojo es impactante.
Saludos

wow, that color is intense!

A mí la saturación y el enorme contraste de los colores hacen que me guste mcuho esta foto.

Gran toma

I think the red may be a bit too itense...but it still is a great photo!

Thanks for uploading the original :-)
It's crazy what one can do with post processing !
Nice job.
But I agree on the building and the red being too saturated.
It nicely fit the topic though ;-)

Hi Udower, here is the story to go with my photo.

From The Heart of a Homeless Man, By Robin

'I'm sad, alone and cold at night. I go hungry everyday. I feel embarrassed when people pass by me and stare. I feel obsolete when people avoid me all together as though I do not exist. I wonder how I got here from where I used to be. This is not what anyone would strive for. Call it bad luck, call it bad choices, call it what ever you want, it is my reality."

A great photo, an only thing to critique is composition, I 'd like to see his feet not sut off by the edge of the photo and to generally have more of the background in the picture.

Very nice shot! I love the black and white here. He looks so sad and the black and white really helps the mood. I'm not sure I like the darkened edges, it kind of makes him glow a bit and it's a little distracting to me. I think showing more of the people walking past him in the background here and centering him more would really set this picture off!

Excellent use of black and white!!

Wow, I'm blown away after reading the story that goes with the photo. Such a relevant shot. Great.

Good capture - I don't think the vignette helps in what is basically a street shot.

Best,
Jon

Love the water. Looks like it came straight out of the camera! Did you do anything to this one?

@Stephanie, not much, raw convert, a little curves and a crop. Thanks!!

Great photo. There is nothing here that needs to be changed.

Really beautiful ~ I can almost hear the water!

Clyde,

Not much to say in regards to constructive criticism - this is one of my favorites.

Best,
Jon

I agree with willie901. I think a darker background (a little bit) would work better, giving more importance to the cross.

But I like it! ;)

Awesome shot. I love this one. I don't think it's overdone, I bet it came out just as you had envisioned it. Nice job!

Thanks All!!

Love the color, love the texture. the leaves on the ground especially draw me in. I would love to see this piece animate in some way.

Excellent post processing, in my opinion. Very strong image.

Best,
Jon