Peek-A-Boo! Their son was one unhappy camper, but this was the last shot of the photo shoot. Not bad for a 2 year old! I managed to get 16 good shots outside with the fall colors and...

trc Loc: Logan, OH

Their son was one unhappy camper, but this was the last shot of the photo shoot. Not bad for a 2 year old! I managed to get 16 good shots outside with the fall colors and the parents were quite pleased.

Best Regards,
Tom

The 2 year old did a great job, but this last shot was just too much!!!

(Download)

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Tom the technical skill on display here is breathtaking superbly sharp wonderful colors just perfect I reckon. Shame you had to have a grizzly brat throwing a wobbler. Did you try a quick slap across the back of his head to straighten him out? What always amazes me is the parents look on as if the kids being cute lol You know now why that very wise man WC Fields avoided working with children. Personally I avoid em like the plague.
However the beauty you have captured means its just about possible to ignore Le Brat and I did enjoy looking at this.

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

Nicely done Tom....you have me wondering if this is one of the sixteen, if not maybe 17.

trc Loc: Logan, OH

Billyspad wrote:

Tom the technical skill on display here is breatht... (show quote)

Good Morning Billy,

As you are most likely well aware, heaven forbid a photographer smacks the kid on the butt unless he wants a jail sentence. Heck, even a parent spanking their own kid seen by others in the area is grounds for a lawsuit these days. Oh, yes, how times have changed! Thanks very much for your very kind comments and praise on the image. It is much appreciated coming from you, with all your photographic experience.

Best Regards,
Tom

Griff Loc: Warwick U.K.

Brilliant pic.
The kid's gesture makes it seriously good.

Otherwise, however proficient, it's just another 'snap'.
[I'd be tempted to try cropping a bit from the top and the bottom.]
(And also load the kid with some chocolate!)

trc Loc: Logan, OH

Frank2013 wrote:

Nicely done Tom....you have me wondering if this is one of the sixteen, if not maybe 17.

Greetings Frank,

In all honesty, this shot was the result of the last shutter button release for that morning. I had taken a total of about 65 shots that morning about a week or two ago - I lose track of time and shoots. The first shot was at 9:15 am and the last one was at 10:20 am. He lasted an hour and did fairly well. He did get a little anxious for the last 10-15 minutes, but for a 2 year old, he was a trooper.

We were in a park and the parents wanted family photos capturing the Fall colors of the season. I told them it was their choice - either fairly early in the morning or towards the evening. They chose morning and it was about an hour's drive for me just to get there. I suggested 8:30 am, but then they wrote back and asked if 9:00 am was OK.

I actually have some with him looking into the camera with a 'smile.' I have to admit, it was a fun shoot for me and it only lasted an hour. Thanks very much, Frank.

Best Regards,
Tom

trc Loc: Logan, OH

Griff wrote:

Brilliant pic.
The kid's gesture makes it seriously good.

Otherwise, however proficient, it's just another 'snap'.
[I'd be tempted to try cropping a bit from the top and the bottom.]
(And also load the kid with some chocolate!)

Griff,

Thank you for the comment about the proficiency of the shot. Yes, it does give you an idea of just a snapshot, and looks pretty much like one. I was looking East into the sun and positioned myself so my lens was shaded by leaves on the tree, and, hence, no sun flare. I was shooting with my D800 and my go to portrait lens (Nikon 70-200 mm f/2.8), and also used two speed lights on stands with triggers with the light softened by umbrellas since they spread out the light a bit (better coverage) and for ease of portability.

I often times do not crop the images, so when I have them printed by an online service, I can get a range of picture sizes because I did not previously change the ratio of the original image. The people wanted 4x6's, 5x7's, and 8x10's of nine separate images I had shot during the shoot.

I admit, cropping can make various images look much better when displayed on the Internet, but just doesn't work all the time when having prints made. Thanks very much for all your comments.

Best Regards,
Tom

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

I like this very much, Tom. I'm sure the family will treasure it, but a great job of composition and execution, with a difficult young subject. Good work!

merrytexan Loc: georgia

trc wrote:

Their son was one unhappy camper, but this was the last shot of the photo shoot. Not bad for a 2 year old! I managed to get 16 good shots outside with the fall colors and the parents were quite pleased.

Best Regards,
Tom

you captured the moment . he is just 2...difficult age to have to pose for photos...good job on the shot trc.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Tom, I enjoyed your replies to the comments so far, hearing about the day, the reason for the framing, and so forth.

Looks like a fantastic setting and morning for a family shoot. And a good reminder why some of us will never, ever attempt photography for $$ - lol.

trc Loc: Logan, OH

Treepusher wrote:

I like this very much, Tom. I'm sure the family will treasure it, but a great job of composition and execution, with a difficult young subject. Good work!

Hi Randy,

Thanks very much for your wonderful comments. I enjoyed this shoot because it was fun and the parents were extremely enthusiastic, conveyed that feeling to their two year old, and really wanted to get some nice photos. I believe they are going to use one of the shots for Christmas Cards, as well as having ordered several prints of 9 separate images during the shoot.

My goodness, I just can't imagine which is more difficult . . . trying to capture a good shot with a 2 year old or with a finicky cat or kitten like you often do! Once again, thanks very much.

Best Regards,
Tom

trc Loc: Logan, OH

merrytexan wrote:

you captured the moment . he is just 2...difficult age to have to pose for photos...good job on the shot trc.

merry,

Thanks very much for checking out the image and your positive feedback.

Are you a former Texan? Years ago, we used to live in Midland - hot, dry, hardly ever rained, and essentially no trees. I used to go out in the field many times a month and I did see Mesquite trees and collected wood for cooking over for barbecues. That makes an extremely hot fire and is fantastic for grilling. I think it was twice a year and the local grocery would sell buffalo steaks and burger - really good meat and very tender - Yummmmm!!!

Best Regards,
Tom

trc Loc: Logan, OH

Linda From Maine wrote:

Tom, I enjoyed your replies to the comments so far, hearing about the day, the reason for the framing, and so forth.

Looks like a fantastic setting and morning for a family shoot. And a good reminder why some of us will never, ever attempt photography for $$ - lol.

Greetings Linda,

Thanks so much for your kind words. What you need to do is to get out and start taking some portraiture shots. Get out of that photo landscape comfort zone, take the plunge, and you will soon become a great portraiture photographer! You certainly have the photographic skills, the patience, the knowledge, the abilities, and the most important PR skills. I'll bet you are great with people and getting them to do what you want and what is needed. I love your landscape shots - fantastic!

I was thinking about posting another image or two from this shoot just for variety, and for showing a family image or two. Maybe I will here, or, most likely, do another new topic and post/start it later tonight for tomorrow's reviews.

Best Regards,
Tom

Dave Chinn

trc wrote:

Their son was one unhappy camper, but this was the last shot of the photo shoot. Not bad for a 2 year old! I managed to get 16 good shots outside with the fall colors and the parents were quite pleased.

Best Regards,
Tom

Tom, what a wonderful shot !!! Great caption that the family will cherish now, and in later years for sure. Patience with a two year old is short for most but I believe it was well worth effort. The colors you strived for is a success and I would love to see some of the others you took. Nice work Tom !!!
Dave

trc Loc: Logan, OH

Dave Chinn wrote:

Tom, what a wonderful shot !!! Great caption that the family will cherish now, and in later years for sure. Patience with a two year old is short for most but I believe it was well worth effort. The colors you strived for is a success and I would love to see some of the others you took. Nice work Tom !!!
Dave

Hey Dave,

Good hearing from you, my friend. Hope all is well in Kentucky. I really had a great time taking these pictures. The morning light was really nice, and the large tree added color, as well as necessary shade to position myself such that I could get the back light from the morning sun with all the colors showing vibrantly in the shot.

The shots would have been mediocre without the speed lights and the umbrellas placed pretty close to the subjects lighting up the people. Interesting that not too many people are aware of the necessity of using lights outdoors in a variety of situations.

I will probably post some more shots from that shoot tonight, so keep your eyes open for another new topic tomorrow. Thanks very much, Dave, much appreciated.

Best Regards,
Tom