Today over at iHeartFaces they’re running a “Constructive Feedback Friday”, where fans and professionals of photography are heading to a few amateur’s sites and offering their thoughts on a selected photo.  Here’s my original photo, and I’d love to hear what people have to say (click for full size, 2112×2816):

I am using a Nikon Coolpix L2 (6 megapixel, 3x optical zoom).  I have Photoshop CS4.

Here are my dilemmas:

- My couch is dark, so is her hair.  How can I increase the contrast when I’m taking photos or editing them?
- Lighting in my apartment is horrible.  Our windows all face east and we get the morning sun, but the rest of the day it’s very dark in here.  Any quick lighting fixes?
- Any easy ways to edit the spit stains off her shirt? (same for the colourful toy at her side)
- What about the angle of the shot?
- Also I know next to nothing about photography and it shows, so whatever else you can offer I would love to hear!

And baby sling vs baby chest pouch vs baby carrier… what? How do you even figure out what works best without trying them all out?

Will my diaper bag spend most of its time open? If so, should I stop worrying about zipper closure vs messenger flap vs drawstring top? Was there ever a time you fumbled with a messenger flap in desperation to get inside that bag and just about blew your top?

When it comes to a baby registry, I’m totally cool with whatever people are able to provide in terms of clothing, blankies, books, etc … but does it make me a total bitch to want a “special” hand-made, personalized diaper bag that’s chic and stylish and costs $70 + shipping (like this one or this one)? Chris and I are ready to put out the cash for our own stroller and car seat, but we’d really like the family’s help with a crib — should I get a crib that’ll convert into a toddler bed or one that I can dissemble and toss into the closet for future babies? And again, the money & personalized thing; I know what the crib I want LOOKS like in general (and it won’t match my dresser, which is why my sister and I will do all sorts of baby room decorating when she gets here!), so I don’t want to leave it in someone else’s hands to decide, but since neither of the grandmas live close by, should I find someplace that sells what I want online, or is it alright for me to find it locally, at a shop that might not have a baby registry or even online purchasing?

What things am I forgetting? I know there will be so many little items that the baby will need and/or that will make my life easier, but I don’t know what they are. I need a checklist or something.

I’ll admit, a lot of this is probably just me being neurotic and strangely, sadistically satisfied that I have at last found a baby-related issue that I am worried about. So these questions are the ones that really matter:

What are some things you WISH you had known about baby-related gear? What would you change about the things you bought/received before baby arrived? Is there an item you couldn’t live without?

Please help!