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Took a day off today and drove (in the rain) to the Promised Land, near Bellingen. A beautiful day for photography, as long as you can dodge the rain. (A disposable shower cap is a handy bit of gear in the rain). Here's a few images from the day, and as usual, all comments welcomed. All taken with available light, 70-200 F/2.8 + 5D Mkii handheld.

ozimax wrote:as long as you can dodge the rain.

Optech rain sleeve.. + a shower cap if you really want to look fashionable.

Although I would like the negative space without the car, I really like #1. The expression is relaxed and light (As in all these shots) beautiful. The bokeh is to die for.

The others shots while being technically very nice, is let down a little by very subtle awkwardness of the posture.

Actually #4 looks like a relaxed smile as well...

Is she getting a little more relaxed in front of the camera?

Yes I'd have to say #1 is my fave too. I love the lighting in this particular shot.

What focal length and aperture were you using for these shots?

Ozi.. beautiful soft light in these!

The lighting in the first two is superb. The 3rd is good, although the 4th looks more flat. You have really taken advantage of the light conditions in the first 2-3.

The poses look natural which is nice. Complementary to the images.

My only negative critique is the use of the car in the shot - it doesn't seem to add anything and, in fact, looks like it is an unavoidable part of the background. If it is meant to be part of the shot, I would prefer to see it in a little clearer focus. Particulalry if it was one of these.

surenj wrote:Optech rain sleeve.. + a shower cap if you really want to look fashionable.

It really was a win/loss situation. The Promised Land near Bellingen, only a short drive from where we live, is the most beautiful place imaginable. The rainy skies brought an even, almost surreal light, but with it was the problem of getting my gear wet, not to mention the wife!

surenj wrote:Although I would like the negative space without the car

I was actually moving quite fast as we had a small break in the weather and funnily enough, I didn't even notice our car in the background.

surenj wrote:Is she getting a little more relaxed in front of the camera?

Yes and no, sometimes yes and sometimes no, depending on whether or not she is relaxed...

biggerry wrote:Ozi.. beautiful soft light in these!

Thanks Gerry, yep, the light is 50% of portrait photography, facial expression etc is the other 49%. Gear is 1%.

Reschsmooth wrote:My only negative critique is the use of the car in the shot

I think you're correct here Patrick, and may take out the car and re-post the image.

Remorhaz wrote:Yes I'd have to say #1 is my fave too. I love the lighting in this particular shot.

What focal length and aperture were you using for these shots?

F4, 1/125 sec, ISO 500 @ 80mm. Hope this helps.

surenj wrote:The bokeh is to die for.

Actually Suren, I don't think you can improve on the 70-200 2.8. There's just something about this lens and the images it churns out that makes the cost and weight worth every penny.