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A couple of Portraits.

PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 3:38 pm
by stormygirl
Hi all,

It's been a while since I posted images for critique, so here goes! I took these of my girlfriend's children (and yes, I was paid! :D ), and she was so impressed she is having the black and white one printed on canvas for her lounge room. I converted all of them to black and white for her, but thought I'd leave most of them colour for my web site.

Image

Image

Image

A few more here too: http://www.stormygirl.net/portraiture.htm

What do you think? Apart from the obvious colour cast on the third one on my site which I will adjust when I have some spare time!

PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 3:55 pm
by Rainey
They are great, the middle one particularly caught my eye because the image draws you into the childs face, the first one is great as well but as a portrait I felt her jacket and button was just a tiny bit distracting.

Overall fantastic effort.

PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:00 pm
by Oscar
Hi Jane, I think these are absolutely gorgeous. Great shooting. Cheers, Mick

PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:14 pm
by wendellt
jane 1st one and last one both have dimension and efortless expression
i prefer the mystery behind number 1 though

PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:48 pm
by Yi-P
The expression captured in #1 is priceless :D

Well done there mate

PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 5:05 pm
by ozimax
Def like #1 as a great candid, will be treasured no doubt for a long time, Max

PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 6:48 pm
by Geoff
Jane - I'm a sucker for a great portrait and these ones are fantastic. I think I prefer the 1st and last the most, would love to have seen the little chaps full head in the last one but it was a spontaneous shot and you've done well anyway. Thanks heaps for sharing!

PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 7:51 pm
by PiroStitch
The first and last do it for me as well especially the first one. Now there's a cheeky copper.

PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 9:34 pm
by rooboy
Gorgeous shots, and I can see why they'll be printed large. Lovely work :)

PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 10:43 pm
by stormygirl
Thankyou everyone for your positive comments, it means a lot to me! Hopefully I might be able to get some more 'work' out of it! It is very difficult working with children, and you have to be quick to catch those special moments, but it's all great fun!

PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:00 pm
by jethro
Great images Jane!. Your talents have matured somewhat. Keep it up
jethro

PostPosted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 1:54 pm
by stormygirl
Thanks Jethro :)

PostPosted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 9:13 pm
by gecko
These are beautiful images - the parents should be very happy - and you should be too for capturing the essence of childhood.

Keep up the good work and pass on some tips to us learners!

Cheers
Gecko

PostPosted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 9:48 pm
by mudder
The expression in #1 is beautiful and full of innocence, #2 shows off those gorgeous eyes (not sure whether I'd like to see her whole hands or not?) and #3 is a fantastic candid moment that's full of memories...

The parents would love these, very well done... Working with kids would not be easy but you've captured the moments and their spirit well...

PostPosted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:14 pm
by stormygirl
Thankyou Gecko and Mudder! Honestly Gecko I am learning myself so the only tips I can share is to shoot in natural light, and shoot all the time. You never know when you could miss the perfect moment. It can be tricky as kids move around a lot, and I took at least 100 pics in a short sitting. I try and get in as close as possible and focus on their eyes...and it's all good fun!

Congratulations

PostPosted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 6:33 pm
by zafra52
I've just seen some of your photos and I am green with envy! The kids seem so relaxed and trusting which makes me think you took time to put them at ease and gain their confidence before pointing the camera at them.
They seem to be having fun as well. I've taken a few photos of children to know how moody they can be and how quickly change their facial expressions and loose interest.
Congratulations on well deserved recognition!

PostPosted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 6:49 pm
by marcotrov
Gorgeous expressions and lighting Stormygirl. Well done and congratulations on POTW :)
cheers
marco

PostPosted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 10:17 pm
by stormygirl
Thankyou so much macrotrov and zafra52!

I've actually known the kids since they were born, and I took the photos in their own home which makes a difference! A little bribary in the form of chocolate goes a long way too! :wink:

PostPosted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 10:26 pm
by BBJ
Hey stormy, looking good there and well they are bloody great and think that anyone would be happy with these pics and they are bloody fantastic. Well done, and well can i ask what lighting did you use?
Thanks
John
BBJ

PostPosted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 10:49 pm
by stormygirl
Hi BBJ, It was all available light, nothing artificial. I always try and use available light while doing portraiture, near a bright window or in the brightest room of the house.

I had absolutely nothing set up for the entire sitting, just the kids being kids and me with the camera! She grabbed the bobbies hat and put it on, I just happened to have the camera ready! :wink:

Thanks for your comments, I'm pretty chuffed at the results!