Arbor Day - with gratitude to St3v3M -a fabulous excuse for portrait posing practice - just add trees :): I've been in want of a model on which to practice portrait photography, but...

kerfree Loc: Sebago and Sanibel

I've been in want of a model on which to practice portrait photography, but thanks to this week's photo challenge theme, promoting Arbor Day, my granddaughter enthusiastically agreed to pose for the sake of trees :lol: Of course I was elated, grabbed my camera and ran with the moment.

I was tempted, but chose not to over-direct on her posing, and I know there are a ton of cluttery twigs, etc., but I would appreciate your critiques, to be better prepared for the next opportunity.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

What a lovely young lady! I think the shots are great in that she's so natural and relaxed (I don't do portraits so have zero knowledge re lighting and such).

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

What a great model! Two, I think is my favorite. I would try to tone down the hot spots in the hair and on her left hand. I might also try to tone down the green directly in front of her. Three is a fantastic shot. The only thing that I can think of here is that there is a bit of a hot spot on her forehead. Four is great as well. the twig in front of her is a bit distracting. You might want to remove it. It really does not impact on the photo that much in my opinion. The light in five is maybe the best of the bunch. There is a hot spot on her sleeve; but I think I'm being really picky at this point. I like them very much. You captured the happy, carefree nature of this young girl in a very realistic and natural way. The setting is also very good. I would be proud to have taken any of these shots.

kerfree Loc: Sebago and Sanibel

Linda From Maine wrote:

What a lovely young lady! I think the shots are great in that she's so natural and relaxed (I don't do portraits so have zero knowledge re lighting and such).

Thank you so much, Linda! ! am hoping she will stay enthusiastic about our weekly photo challenges!

kerfree Loc: Sebago and Sanibel

ebrunner wrote:

What a great model! Two, I think is my favorite. ... (show quote)

Hi ebrunner, thank you so much for your wisdom! What I'm gleening from your advice, which is right on, is to slow down, and have the confidence to direct the model a little more to get the setting and the light right. Will do - next time around! And thank you!

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I think the compositions are good. I was thinking that you might be able to do some minor light manipulation in post processing. Glad you found the tips helpful. Like all of us, I'm still learning. You seem to be having fun with it, so you are at least ninety percent there already.

angler Loc: StHelens England

Excellent set,i really like number 6.

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

Great model...great shots!

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

You did a great job with these. Not often you can catch a treehugger in the wild! Shadows can easily be cleaned up in PP, but even left as is, four and five are really nice, and I wouldn't be in a rush to discard any of them!

I don't care much for the pose in number one, but no complaints on the others. She looks relaxed and at ease in them all. A natural model, and bet she loved them!

kerfree Loc: Sebago and Sanibel

rlaugh wrote:

Great model...great shots!

Thanks rlaugh! She is a great little model - I'm hoping she'll want to play that game again soon :lol:

kerfree Loc: Sebago and Sanibel

Treepusher wrote:

You did a great job with these. Not often you can catch a treehugger in the wild! Shadows can easily be cleaned up in PP, but even left as is, four and five are really nice, and I wouldn't be in a rush to discard any of them!

I don't care much for the pose in number one, but no complaints on the others. She looks relaxed and at ease in them all. A natural model, and bet she loved them!

I thought that first pose was questionable, so I do appreciate you input and agree with you. Next time around, I'm going to work harder at finding more even lighting. To even out the bright spots and shadows in post processing, would you just use the dodge and burn tools, or is there another way?

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Nice set of shots....but they all suffer from the same thing; harsh/uneven lighting.

Probably one of two solutions:

1.) Get her at the edge of open shade.

2.) Use a diffuser if she's going to be in sunlight.

here is a great vid from scott kelby on how to take harsh daylight and turn it into nice light.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR7wXxvrRMA

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

kerfree wrote:

I thought that first pose was questionable, so I do appreciate you input and agree with you. Next time around, I'm going to work harder at finding more even lighting. To even out the bright spots and shadows in post processing, would you just use the dodge and burn tools, or is there another way?

Dodge and burn will work, probably easiest to do that. Layer masking would be another way, tho would likely take you longer.

kerfree Loc: Sebago and Sanibel

rpavich wrote:

Nice set of shots....but they all suffer from the same thing; harsh/uneven lighting.

Probably one of two solutions:

1.) Get her at the edge of open shade.

2.) Use a diffuser if she's going to be in sunlight.

here is a great vid from scott kelby on how to take harsh daylight and turn it into nice light.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR7wXxvrRMA

Bob,
Thank you Bob for your right-on advice and this excellent Kelby video on diffusing light! Arika is just going to HAVE to give me another chance to get it right. I think she had enough fun with our little photo shoot that we can have another go at it next time we get together. So appreciate your help, as always!
Kerry

kerfree Loc: Sebago and Sanibel

Treepusher wrote:

Dodge and burn will work, probably easiest to do that. Layer masking would be another way, tho would likely take you longer.

Thanks, Treepusher! The very thought of playing with layer masking makes my eyes glaze over, so I'll try to improve this set with dodging and burning and then be better prepared to handle the dappled lighting on our next go around. So appreciate your help
:thumbup: :thumbup: