'Behind the Scene': Mother wanted some fall photos, but I could not resist a B&W conversion of this one. FYC...

Dave Chinn

Mother wanted some fall photos, but I could not resist a B&W conversion of this one.

FYC

'Behind the Scene'
'Behind the Scene'...

(Download)

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

I think it's a great concept. The light on Baby's face picks her right out and bang, there she is, nestled between loving Mom and Dad. But I'm bothered by the shadow, especially the second, thinner shadow dropped right across her eye. The main shadow I don't think you can do much about (except maybe lighten it more?), but that skinny shadow might be possible to carefully clone out (content aware healing) at very high magnification and working slowly. I Really Like the picture! I love the concept, the love (!), and I know that outdoors in woods you are gonna get strange and sometimes uncontrollable shadows, plus shooting newborns is really hard no matter what, but if I'd made it I'd try to mitigate that shadow some more.

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

Nicely done Mr. Chinn but I lean towards Chuck’s camp. I would prefer the baby’s face all in or all out shadow wise. The concept is solid.

Dave Chinn

Chuck_893 wrote:

I think it's a great concept. The light on Baby's ... (show quote)

Thanks Chuck !!! I like the concept, and agree with you on the shadows. I took many, but only two of this type. It was a spur of the moment thing at the time. I appreciate you pointing that out, as I will know how to deal with it the next time. I will also make an attempt to correct this one. However, not sure how the outcome will be, but I do believe its worth the try.
Dave

Dave Chinn

Frank2013 wrote:

Nicely done Mr. Chinn but I lean towards Chuck’s camp. I would prefer the baby’s face all in or all out shadow wise. The concept is solid.

Thanks Frank !!! I agree with you and Chuck. However, baby's face all in would have been a little difficult, but I understand what your saying. I'm sure I'll have many more attempts. I feel this particular concept of a pose is rather unique. Always on the lookout for something different from the norm, but I do appreciate you commenting, as it always gives me new ideas.
Dave

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

Dave Chinn wrote:

Thanks Frank !!! I agree with you and Chuck. However, baby's face all in would have been a little difficult, but I understand what your saying. I'm sure I'll have many more attempts. I feel this particular concept of a pose is rather unique. Always on the lookout for something different from the norm, but I do appreciate you commenting, as it always gives me new ideas.
Dave

I was remiss in not mentioning that the pose IS unique, and very arresting! I don't think I've ever seen anything like it before, and it's wonderfully imaginative. We don't need to see Mom and Dad's faces to know what their expressions are, and that bright spot being Baby's face lifts her right up. I did not mean to denigrate what is actually a terrific shot by complaining about shadows that I know from (sometimes bitter) experience can be hard to control!

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

Really like the composition and execution of this shot!!

trc Loc: Logan, OH

Dave Chinn wrote:

Mother wanted some fall photos, but I could not resist a B&W conversion of this one.

FYC

Hi Dave,

Good capture my friend. Looks like a quick moment to capture a shot. I agree with Chuck and Frank. Hence, I tried my luck at getting rid of the shadow(s) that were in question.

If you would like and don't mind, I will upload my rendition (only with your permission) of your wonderful image to see what you and others think. If not, I can send it to you as a PM. Just let me know what your verdict is. Hey, thanks Dave, either way. Hope all is well with you.

Best Regards,
Tom

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Dave Chinn wrote:

Mother wanted some fall photos, but I could not resist a B&W conversion of this one.

FYC

I don't need to see the parent's faces to know what they are feeling. I think it is a unique and very effective perspective. Love the B&W. Very powerful.
Erich

Dave Chinn

Chuck_893 wrote:

I was remiss in not mentioning that the pose IS unique, and very arresting! I don't think I've ever seen anything like it before, and it's wonderfully imaginative. We don't need to see Mom and Dad's faces to know what their expressions are, and that bright spot being Baby's face lifts her right up. I did not mean to denigrate what is actually a terrific shot by complaining about shadows that I know from (sometimes bitter) experience can be hard to control!

Thanks again Chuck !!! I do believe I understood in your first post/comments, even though not mentioned, you did feel the pose was rather unique. I do appreciate your return to clarify your thoughts as I did not take your comments as criticism. Again, I do agree with you on the shadows and have since made an attempt to make some corrections and feel it is much better when comparing the two. Perfect? No, but much better. If you had not mentioned it I most likely would have done nothing. Thanks again !!!
Dave

Dave Chinn

rlaugh wrote:

Really like the composition and execution of this shot!!

Thank you Bob !!! It was an unplanned, spur of the moment shot. Sometimes, unplanned is better or maybe I should say in this case, different. Going out of the norm can sometimes bring positive learning results in order to be more successful the next time around. I appreciate your thoughts.
Dave

Dave Chinn

trc wrote:

Hi Dave, br br Good capture my friend. Looks like... (show quote)

Yes Tom, it was a quick moment thought. As I was changing my shooting position and doing a walk around, if you will, I decided to walk behind them and this is what caught my eye. I have since, made corrections, but would also like to see what you have done. I'm sure others would like to see as well, so maybe we all can maybe learn something. So, yes post your rendition. I appreciate your thoughts and look forward to your edited version. I will eventually post my corrections, along with a front view of the rear.
Dave

Dave Chinn

ebrunner wrote:

I don't need to see the parent's faces to know what they are feeling. I think it is a unique and very effective perspective. Love the B&W. Very powerful.
Erich

Thank you Erich !!! Your comments are my thoughts as well.
Dave

trc Loc: Logan, OH

Dave Chinn wrote:

Yes Tom, it was a quick moment thought. As I was c... (show quote)

Hi Dave,

Thanks for allowing me to upload the correction/rendition. I have done what was really only what Chuck suggested and Frank seconded - nothing more and nothing less, as far as I can tell and what I changed in the original image.

I only used Photoshop, and selectively made the changes as best I could from my understanding of what Chuck had suggested and Frank agreed with. Oh, yes, I did selectively do a little sharpening, but not much at all.

Oh, now that I posted it, I see I may have left a little shadow mark (darkening) on the camera left eye lid possibly running up a tad into the camera left eyebrow. In any case, one can see what difference the change has made, and that is quickly correctable if wanted or needed. Your original is a nice quick shot of that cute little girl and her parents, and who cares what the parents look like! The lack of their faces just adds to the delight and mood of the image. The B&W monochrome is very appropriate for this picture. Nice job, Dave.

Best Regards,
Tom

(Download)

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

I think many would have seen this shot and maybe grabbed at it resulting in the technical problems with shadows you ended up with. Not sure an awful lot can be done with further PP so its never gonna be a wall hanger Im afraid. Having the presence of mind to stop adjust camera settings etc when we see a magic scene is something most of us lack. Maybe the difference between snappers like us and photographers?