Pregnancy Shoot

[CraigVTR]

Did a shoot recently as an assistant to my daughter. She found the client and the outdoor location, I provided some studio lighting (Golden Eagle), set up and backdrop for the indoor shots, as well as me the second camera/shooter. Here are a couple of favourites from my session behind the lens. The shots have been delivered and the client loved them but C&C is always welcome.

Outdoors
D300, 70-200 2.8, 125 sec @f2.8 98mm, iso 200



Indoors, the client specifically asked for some shots on a black background. Lighting was a single 60cm softbox camera right and a silver reflector opposite to bounce some light back into the shadows.
D300, 24-70 2.8, 60 sec @f5.6 48mm, iso200

[chrisk]

Craig I like the first. For the second I think the highlight in the face is too directional and maybe a stop too bright.

Given the significant differences in their skin tones, particularly what may be some blue reflections bouncing off the jeans onto her stomach in the shadows, I'd consider going mono to even the tones out.

[zafra52]

The first photo is lovely. I agree with he above
comment on the second photo.

[Matt. K]

B&W for the last image would be much better IMHO. Also, a touch of a Hollywood glow would help. In Photoshop, Control+J to make a copy layer...High pass filter around 12....Gaussian blur around 4....de-saturate and invert the layer then change blending mode to 'overlay' or 'soft light', whichever looks best and reduce the layer opacity to suit.

[CraigVTR]

Thanks for the comments guys.
The difference in skin tones was difficult to control and I did do some brush work on the faces to bring down the exposure but I can see now it could use more.

Matt
I will give that 'glow" a try and post up the result when finished. Will not be for about two weeks as I am going to be flat out with my other work for the next 12 days.

[gstark]

Hi Craig,

To me, it looks as if the second image might be a tad underdone in terms of exposure. It's as though I'm looking at a slightly thin neg in film terms. What's the histogram look like, please?

[Mj]

My 5c worth...

I would crop some of the OOF from the bottom of the first shot as I think that distracts from the subject.

The second shot hasn't really got the lighting sorted but it's the shot you've got to works with so ... do some further PP to bring out the hair especially down her back.
Focus your PP attention on her as the primary subject... think of him more as a supporting prop. The shadow on her forehead needs particular attention.
I would probably also pay a little attention to her hand as it is prominent in the shot.
And yes... a bit of beauty glow can often add some glamour to this type of shot.

Having said all that... Client is king... as long as they are happy all is well

[biggerry]

i smell PP challenge, throw up the hi res versions if you want Craig, i would like to have a crack at the second one..

[robert]

B&W for the last image would be much better IMHO. Also, a touch of a Hollywood glow would help. In Photoshop, Control+J to make a copy layer...High pass filter around 12....Gaussian blur around 4....de-saturate and invert the layer then change blending mode to 'overlay' or 'soft light', whichever looks best and reduce the layer opacity to suit.

Great simple tip/action- very helpful!

love to hear some more quick and easy (ie 4 or 5 steps) to simplify PP. (esp landscape)

thanks
Robert

[CraigVTR]

Full res version processed version , play as will.
The shot has been processed in lightroom with some local brush work on the faces to try and pull back some of the highlights and I cannot upload a copy of the raw shot at the moment.
http://ckaphotography-au.smugmug.com/Pe ... ean-87.jpg

I have just been trying to unsucessfully upload a screen shot showing the histogram. Smugmug will not accept uploads at the moment, I will have a go when I get back home next week as I am off to do three days of motorcycle training, then back home and straight in to 7 days/nights on the bread run.

Thanks you for all the comments, I will try out the suggestions when I get the time off work next as I do want to improve with this type of low key shot.

[biggerry]

here we go,

Craig, I think reworking the raw file would be good - I think by lifting the light on the lady's face it has really killed any structure to the light, thus making it very flat and hard to put some shadows back in there... however...4.75 mins of editing got me to this...

[biggerry]

and of course the BW version...



and a crop I prefer...his hoofs stick out too much detracting my attention...



let me know if you want any details about the processing.... i can even shoot you across the nef file

[chrisk]

perfect Gerry.