First entry

I took this photo about 1 month ago with my friend at "Thap but" Sword lake, Hanoi. I kinda like the look of old buildings.

We were there on a sunny day so that I could take the photo in a good condition. I used my canon 40D and took the photos at:

Shutter speed: 1/50 (help me avoid blurry by shaking the camera)
Aperture: f/3.2 (so that I could have small depth of field)
Iso: 200 (clear photo, without noise)
Focus length: 70mm

I used the depth-of-field method for her to be in focus with a blurry background. The viewer could be easily recognize her as the dominance of the photo (by appearing focused, the color of her clothes). I put her on aside to make her of center. Also, with a diagonal line of the mid-ground the photo appeared more depth to the eyes of viewer. Furthermore. the background with a gate (which lead to the "The Huc" bridge), viewer could see there: it's really a sunny day. The other small gate on the right with the color, and the shape kind of balance off the dominance.

Overall I like this photo. My friend she smiled naturally. It was took on the right color balance, exposure and I don't have to edit, crop or retouch it afterward.