Round 2: On this photo, I took Russ' suggestion on doing a half moon. Since he is only 3 1/2, I could not get 30 -40 shots in. I could only get in about 15; which is better than...

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

On this photo, I took Russ' suggestion on doing a half moon. Since he is only 3 1/2, I could not get 30 -40 shots in. I could only get in about 15; which is better than nothing.

This was shot in natural light. If any one suggests that I should have used a reflector, forget it! I was lucky just to get him to sit still for this little bit. Lol.

The cool part about this exorcize was that took a whole bunch of shots of this boy as he fidgeted in the chair while trying to apply as many of the techniques suggested in my first couple of postings in this new forum.

Too bad that I could not use a reflector. Maybe if he was paid I could have gotten some cooperation out of him.

O.k. Have at it.

50mm prime F3.2, ISO 100 @ 1/80th sec.

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

tainkc wrote:

On this photo, I took Russ' suggestion on doing a ... (show quote)

Congratulations! By performing the Half moon you solved the best side and mood part of portraiture.

The light is not to shabby. I would recommend the you drape a solid cover over the chair next time. An earth tone would work best.

To me this is much improved over your other stuff. Mainly because this is the first portrait that I have seen you do where you have a feel to the image.

Second issue... Watch your background. Too busy.

Your getting better Tom!

Heirloom Tomato Loc: Oregon

That looks good! The background might not be a classic choice, but I don't mind the patterned blanket. He's a boy, it's a masculine-looking fabric and the colors work well with the boy's hair, eyes, skin tone and what he is wearing. I like the natural light. You really captured a good expression on his face, and nice wide eyes.

Lazy Old Coot Loc: Gainesville, Florida

tainkc, I think you've done a bang up job this time, particularly considering the conditions you were working with. The good lighting and sharp focus help draw the boys face away fro the less than ideal background. Good job! ...... Coot

tainkc wrote:

On this photo, I took Russ' suggestion on doing a ... (show quote)

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

One other note Tom, I forgot to mention.

Kids are work. You need to get down to their level to photo them.
Don't shoot down on them! See photo below.

Get down to my level to photo me!

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

Great eyes! I usually find it best when people aren't looking directly at the camera, and it's usually because the eyes reflect highlights differently when pointed slightly away.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

PalePictures wrote:

Congratulations! By performing the Half moon you solved the best side and mood part of portraiture.

The light is not to shabby. I would recommend the you drape a solid cover over the chair next time. An earth tone would work best.

To me this is much improved over your other stuff. Mainly because this is the first portrait that I have seen you do where you have a feel to the image.

Second issue... Watch your background. Too busy.

Your getting better Tom!

Thanks, Russel. That means a lot to me. My backgrounds still suck, I know. Baby steps.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

PalePictures wrote:

One other note Tom, I forgot to mention.

Kids are work. You need to get down to their level to photo them.
Don't shoot down on them! See photo below.

Yes, I have learned this a long time ago just by reading. I try to do this as often as I can. I have taken a leave of absence from work to take care of these two brothers. This means that I will have ample time to practice and improve. Thank you once again.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Heirloom Tomato wrote:

That looks good! The background might not be a classic choice, but I don't mind the patterned blanket. He's a boy, it's a masculine-looking fabric and the colors work well with the boy's hair, eyes, skin tone and what he is wearing. I like the natural light. You really captured a good expression on his face, and nice wide eyes.

Thanks! I had a couple of choices on the background. In this case, the chair was solid black. I will have plenty of opportunities to try that out.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Lazy Old Coot wrote:

tainkc, I think you've done a bang up job this time, particularly considering the conditions you were working with. The good lighting and sharp focus help draw the boys face away fro the less than ideal background. Good job! ...... Coot

Thank you, Coot!

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Bob Yankle wrote:

Great eyes! I usually find it best when people aren't looking directly at the camera, and it's usually because the eyes reflect highlights differently when pointed slightly away.

Thanks, Bob! I took quite a few shots at this sitting. The eyes and expressions are all over the board. Even though I shoot in RAW, I varied the wb and filter abunch just to see what the beginning results would look like. I also used my bunch flash on a few. I am also fortunate in this room to have all sorts of lighting conditions that I can play with also. It would make for a good studio. However I do not think my wife would allow the great room to be taken over by me! Lol.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

tainkc wrote:

On this photo, I took Russ' suggestion on doing a ... (show quote)

Forget the reflector. On this planet, we have one sun, and that causes shadows, some of which are natural and pleasing. Not all shadows need be eliminated. I find the effect very pleasing. If you think he was fidgeting then, just try to point the glare of a reflector in his face. Short of a shot of Nembutal, you got as much attention as a 3½ year-old is going to give you. As to the remark about nembutal, a photographer in Los Angeles went to jail in the early 1970's for providing some of his young subjects a glass of Kool-Aid with a mild dose of pentobarbital mixed in.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Mogul wrote:

Forget the reflector. On this planet, we have one... (show quote)

So I guess children's chewable Valium is out of the question?

Seriously, the reason that I mentioned the use of a reflector is because on some the shots, the shadows appeared a little too much.

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

tainkc wrote:

On this photo, I took Russ' suggestion on doing a ... (show quote)

Much improved over the previous posts! That is beautiful light you are using . . . but because it is natural available light that cannot be moved . . . you must move the subject to work the direction of light. This image would have been greatly improved if you had him turn his head just a little more towards the light so that you could have the camera left eye lit like the other. Watching for catch lights in BOTH eyes should help.

Congrats on a great effort! :thumbup:

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Weddingguy wrote:

Much improved over the previous posts! That is beautiful light you are using . . . but because it is natural available light that cannot be moved . . . you must move the subject to work the direction of light. This image would have been greatly improved if you had him turn his head just a little more towards the light so that you could have the camera left eye lit like the other. Watching for catch lights in BOTH eyes should help.

Congrats on a great effort! :thumbup:

Thank you very much! I will keep this in mind.