About the Image(s)

This beautiful little boy was originally photographed in his mother’s arms. I was immediately drawn to his expression- the way he quietly observed everything around him with those wonderful, curious eyes. I captured the moment with my cell phone.

Because I am considering this image for a portrait competition that specifically requires a single-person portrait, I chose to remove his mother and create a composition focused entirely on him.

In my edit, I tried to preserve his natural expression and character. I added subtle directional light to give his face more dimension, gently brightened his eyes and catchlights, retained some natural texture and character in his skin without over-sharpening, and softened and darkened the background. I wanted his eyes, expression, and the beautiful detail and color of his traditional hat to command the viewer’s attention.

I titled the image “Quiet Curiosity” because that is what I see in his expression -- a little boy quietly taking in the world around him.

This is where I need your help. I want to make this the strongest portrait it can be before I submit it. Please tell me what you would change -- crop, lighting, skin tones, background, eyes, color, or anything else you feel would make the portrait stronger. Don’t be afraid to critique it; I want to make it better.