Pretty Baby Portraits: Hi fellow Hogs, This is the granddaughter of a friend of mine. The poor thing was over tired at the time, but she cooperated quite well. Any flaws that you find...

Quickflash Loc: Loganville, Ga

Hi fellow Hogs,
This is the granddaughter of a friend of mine. The poor thing was over tired at the time, but she cooperated quite well. Any flaws that you find in these photos are mine, not hers because she is perfect.
I know the poses are far from perfect, but with a 4 month old, well...you know if you ever had kids. The background required a bit of editing, but I did the best I could with what I had to work with.
Please don't just say "nice photo" if you know how I could have done better. I am here to learn and improve.
Thanks,

Dave

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bullwinkle Loc: New Hartford, Missouri

Gorgeous baby! The only thing I see is the whites are too bright. However, I'm into photography just for the fun. I don't see half the stuff other Hoggers do until they point them out.

Quickflash Loc: Loganville, Ga

Bullwinkle, thanks for your reply. I didn't think the whites were over bright, but let's see what others think. It is a subjective thing, of course, and I value your opinion.
Thanks for looking at it.

Dave

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

While I do not think the whites are too bright - there appear to be detail in them - you do want to avoid placing babies on white if you can. Darker colors will help the baby's skin to be brightest part of the image, not the stuff around her.

Quickflash Loc: Loganville, Ga

Thank you Captain C. I will have to keep that in mind for the future. I will use a dark background next time. The 3rd photo above makes your point for you.
Also. the color in these photos on UHH are a bit less vibrant than they are on my computer. I'm not sure why that happens.
I wish I could watch you at work for a month. My photography would improve at least 90%.

waltchilds Loc: Central Florida

Excellent photos. I also do not agree that the whites are too bright, but as CaptainC stated, it is better to avoid placing babies or anyone for that matter on or in front of a white background if you can. CaptainC said it perfectly, "Darker colors will help the baby's skin to be brightest part of the image, not the stuff around her." This advice is something I try to always remember.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I agree about using darker colors, however, using black behind her black hair didn't do her justice either. I know they are different shades of black, and they don't exactly blend, but they also don't separate very well either.

She is beautiful, and you have a wonderful model to practice with. By the way, yes, your exposure is good, and I like your use of light and shadow.

Quickflash Loc: Loganville, Ga

Thanks for your reply. I hope to have the family over here to take photos sometime soon. When they come I will use a gray wall and a dark navy curtain as backdrops. Captain C. knows his stuff and I always try to follow his advice. I am learning so much from you guys, but still have a long way to go.

waltchilds wrote:

Excellent photos. I also do not agree that the whites are too bright, but as CaptainC stated, it is better to avoid placing babies or anyone for that matter on or in front of a white background if you can. CaptainC said it perfectly, "Darker colors will help the baby's skin to be brightest part of the image, not the stuff around her." This advice is something I try to always remember.

Quickflash Loc: Loganville, Ga

Bkyser, thanks for your reply. When they come here, I will use different, darker backgrounds. I did these photos with one umbrella, but at my house I will have a hair light to separate her from the background, so that should not be a problem.

Thanks again, this great feedback is why I come here and post stuff.

bkyser wrote:

I agree about using darker colors, however, using black behind her black hair didn't do her justice either. I know they are different shades of black, and they don't exactly blend, but they also don't separate very well either.

She is beautiful, and you have a wonderful model to practice with. By the way, yes, your exposure is good, and I like your use of light and shadow.

bullwinkle Loc: New Hartford, Missouri

Quickflash wrote:

Bullwinkle, thanks for your reply. I didn't think the whites were over bright, but let's see what others think. It is a subjective thing, of course, and I value your opinion.
Thanks for looking at it.

Dave

Looks like the votes are in...they are not too bright. I'll say again though, these guys know more, and have a better eye than I. She still makes a gorgeous model.

Quickflash Loc: Loganville, Ga

Thanks Bullwinkle,
Everyone has their own preferences and I appreciate hearing from you. In the case of Captain C, I don't know of anyone who I'd rather take advice from than him, (not to diminish anyone else that contributed). Just that I am familiar with his work.
The baby is so cute that it would be hard to have a bad photo of her.
Thanks to everyone that contributed. I have learned a few things from you on this thread.

Dave

bullwinkle wrote:

Looks like the votes are in...they are not too bright. I'll say again though, these guys know more, and have a better eye than I. She still makes a gorgeous model.