tainkc Loc: Kansas City

First, I have to tell you all something. I think I have learned more on this particular forum with these last few posts than I have the whole time I have been on UHH. So I missed with the last one; but I learned a lot from it.

Our friend Haley was over watching the grandkids while I was making some important business calls. The reason I mentioned this is because it was late afternoon, it was finally warm enough for the kids to play outside, and I had just finished up. Most importantly, it was approaching that golden hour without a cloud in the sky. My first post here was of Haley during a heavy overcast. So much for the lead in.

To be honest, I saw an opportunity shooting the kids where the flash did not fire. It was similar to this. So I decide to do it on purpose and I asked for Haley's help. I asked her for this specific pose. I did not use the flash. The softness in the harsh light was exactly what I was going for.

There was some lens flare to the right and behind her. Normally, lens flare can be a good thing at times, but not this time. This is one of the reasons that I cropped it as I did.

My question is; How is it overall? Is it any good or is it an attempt by a complete amateur? I thought my last post was good, but I was wrong and now I know why. Obviously, no one is going to hurt my feelings. I am dead serious of what I am doing and that is why I am going to post another one of Haley trying basically the same technique; just a different pose.

50mm prime lens, F2.8 @ 1/200 sec. ISO 100.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

There are technically a few things wrong with it, but i like it, am drawn in and find it thought provoking. Love the light!

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

I am glad you like it, but what are the technical things you mention (other than background, lol)? I am pretty good at curing technical problems.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

That is the thing, they create the mood so don't change them. Sometimes you need to break the rules! Cheers.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

I appreciate you input. Thank you!

Nightski

I see what Steve means here. In most photographs a person might say the backlight is too bright, or the image is a little soft. I think those things can be used on purpose sometimes to create a mood. Whether you did it on purpose, or by accident, that is what you have done here. I am inside Haley feeling the warmth of the sun on my face having a quiet reflective moment. It's a wonderfully composed image.

wthomson Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Beautiful light outlining her face and accenting her hair. The mood you created drew me in.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

I like the light but the hair is sharp, the face is OOF.
I think it would have worked better the other way around, but only you know the effect you were going for.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Thanks, Nightski. Here is the photo that inspired me to try this on purpose. Actually it is kind of cool also but the intention was for the flash to fire as a fill light; which it did not fire here.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

I wanted her face to be obscured and softened by the light. But if this is not right (subjective, I guess), I would like to hear from others.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Thanks! That is what I was going for.

UP-2-IT Loc: RED STICK, LA

A great picture, very well done all I can find to comment on, actually very unimportant would be when doing editing try to get rid of the shorter loose hairs surounding her face. I don't really understand why but I think the shot would look a bit smoother.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

I debated about the loose hairs. When I debate something and try it out both ways and still can not decide, I then leave it alone as a rule. If some one says something about it, I say to myself, "Well, spank me and call me Nancy!"

Well, spank me and call me Nancy!

smcaleer Loc: Dearborn Heights, Michigan

I love the lighting, love the pose, love the softness and warmth. The only piece of hair that bothers me is the little one coming out across her forehead, but it doesn't bother me enough that I would worry about removing it.

Nice job!

Granddad Loc: UK

tainkc, one thing I have learnt in reading and studying portraits is you never have her nose which is outside, of whatever side of the face, where it protrudes past the cheek line It looks all nose to me and I'm sure she is very pretty. Is this suppose to be a high key portrait image or you have just taken it the way you had it in front of your camera.
Dave.