My Oldest Princess

[Mad Aussie]

My youngest daughter left for her new home and new life in another State today and last week I took some portraits of her. http://www.mtbdirt.com.au/home/smf/Smileys/classic/photo.gif

Late this afternoon we had dreary skies and not much happening so I managed to get my oldest daughter outside in the nice even light and decided to play around with a few simple shots before trying out some different lighting.

Here's a couple of the results I got. Both photos are straight out of the camera. No post processing apart from the signature.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3501/3216502753_d9e0560b24_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3429/3217357850_86f7ed1321_o.jpg

Some photos I used my 580EX ll flash and some I used my mountain bike lights which are 3x 3watt Super Bright LED's lights that help me ride through dark trails at speed. They are bright. They fry owls! http://www.mtbdirt.com.au/home/smf/Smileys/classic/hihi.gif

Until last week I'd barely played with Portraits seriously apart from one or two of my wife over a year ago so I'm quite pleased with these. But any critique (positive or negative or educational) is always welcome.

I uploaded several more if these are of interest to anyone. You can see both my princesses here ... http://picasaweb.google.com/madaussie69/Portrait?feat=directlink

[Mad Aussie]

My daughter just berated me because THIS is her favourite apparently http://www.mtbdirt.com.au/home/smf/Smileys/classic/groan.gif

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3404/3217357800_778b0ea209_o.jpg

Dumbass Dad I am it would seem http://www.mtbdirt.com.au/home/smf/Smileys/classic/searchme.gif http://www.mtbdirt.com.au/home/smf/Smileys/classic/nohope.gif

[tomorrowstreasures]

Beautiful! both the subject and the photos! http://www.mtbdirt.com.au/home/smf/Smileys/classic/hail.gif

[tomorrowstreasures]

! http://www.mtbdirt.com.au/home/smf/Smileys/classic/hail.gif


http://www.mtbdirt.com.au/home/smf/Smileys/classic/dance.gif

:highfive::D

[Mad Aussie]

http://www.mtbdirt.com.au/home/smf/Smileys/classic/dance.gif

:highfive::D
http://www.mtbdirt.com.au/home/smf/Smileys/classic/hihi.gif

[Ben H]

I go with her choice - the third pic is by far the best of the three, imho...

[Mad Aussie]

I go with her choice - the third pic is by far the best of the three, imho...

Thanks Ben.

I'm personally torn between the 1st and 3rd. I really like the lighting I got in that first shot.

It'll be interesting to see what Marko thinks seeing as he says Portraits are his passion if I remember rightly from the podcasts.

[kat]

Personally I like the 1st one. It's got a mysterious feel to it.

I enjoy the others too. My only problem with the third one is the left eye (her right). It feels a little off..too much white. I don't know..somewhere I've read or heard that you have to watch for the eye positioning. Something that I really try to work on when I do shots because I really wasn't watching out for that..now I'm just ranting..sry!

[Mad Aussie]

Personally I like the 1st one. It's got a mysterious feel to it.

I enjoy the others too. My only problem with the third one is the left eye (her right). It feels a little off..too much white. I don't know..somewhere I've read or heard that you have to watch for the eye positioning. Something that I really try to work on when I do shots because I really wasn't watching out for that..now I'm just ranting..sry!
No need to be sorry, I enjoy all critiques, good and bad, and never, ever take anything personally. You can't with photography, it's like music and people always appreciate different styles and types while others don't.
My daughters best friend, a guy, reckons she has way too much makeup on but I know he likes random photography, not studio/model type shots.

I didn't do anything to that eye so perhaps the angle of it is what you see. Her left eye has a small amount of colour showing in the white due to some veins thatare visible. They are there but not visible in her right eye. Perhaps that's it?

Thanks for your thoughts.

[kat]

I was thinking more in the line of where her pupils are. I think the photo would of been better if she was either facing you just a tad bit more so her eyes where more centered or you got down a little.

I think what I'm trying to say is I would of like to see more of her right eye (pupils)..ha ha.. does this make sense? (On some back pain meds right now so I may come back to edit this...lol)

[Mad Aussie]

I was thinking more in the line of where her pupils are. I think the photo would of been better if she was either facing you just a tad bit more so her eyes where more centered or you got down a little.

I think what I'm trying to say is I would of like to see more of her right eye (pupils)..ha ha.. does this make sense? (On some back pain meds right now so I may come back to edit this...lol)
Ok I get it now ... AND if I stare at the eye for a few secs I can see the 'cut off/ not enough pupil' look you are trying to convey. I might have a similar shot that doesn't have this ... I'll have a look now that you've got me intriqued.
Hope that back isn't a big thing.

[kat]

Yah! That's what I mean.

But none the less is doesn't take away from her beauty!

(Oh..a weekend of playing womens hockey and the back tends to go out :) )

[Mad Aussie]

I already had this one in the same album. It's a good example of the photographer being too engrossed in his subject and not looking for background distractions. See her heel? The towel next to that? And the washing line? Doh.

It does however show more pupil for you :D

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/3215278289_bec44e614f_o.jpg

[kat]

Yah. I like the eyes in this one better! More captivating!

Ha ha..I went out and did my nephew and niece in the fall. 90% of the photos have my nephew with one collar in his jacket and the other out!!!! Ha ha.. I learnt big time on that..but I really do think with more experience those things happen less and less...or so I hope! :)

[Mad Aussie]

moved the photos in the first posts to a different album for those who couldn't see them

[Marko]

I like these shots but of course I usually have some comments for improvement.


I like shot 1 the best as it has the best drama of all the shots which for me makes it most interesting. I feel there's a bit too much hair covering the face and her left eye could be a tad sharper, but nice shot. Lose the feathers.

Shot 2 - The eyes look quite nice but the first thing that comes to mind is the position of the head which seems to me to be a bit 'off'. There a bit too much tilt in the head for my taste.

Shot 3 - (post #2) Same comment as shot 2 with the weirder head tilt though the eyes look quite good and this does come across as a sultry shot. Not crazy about how you cropped through the middle of the arm though and not at all crazy about the feathers.

Shot 4 - as mentioned has distractions in the background most notably the feet. Again the eyes look good but again the head tilt/body position is not doing it for me, nor are the feathers and the pillow she is lying on.

All in all these are good but the posing should be conventional when you are starting out. Take a look at recent fashion magazines and wedding magazines for a better idea of posing. Hope that helps
Marko

[Mad Aussie]

Thanks very much Marko.

To be honest I just let Allyce choose the poses she wanted (and I adjusted from there) and the feathers were her wish as well. I would have like the feathers to be blue or maybe even yellow I think. The snake (not a pillow) was my idea though.
In the end though, although the shoot might be restricted by the clients wishes, I guess the photographer still has the responsibility to make sure the end result is professional.
I'll be watching out for the things you mention next time for sure.

DOF was a difficult when doing these close up shots. To get both eyes in focus when they are not on the same plane was a challenge indeed. I should probably get over the novelty of my 24-70 L Series lens (I figured the wider angle would help with my DOF) and maybe try out my cheapy 50mm Prime 1.8 so I can get higher f-stops.

What about props Marko? You didn't like any that I used at all. Are there props you do like? Or are props something you don't tend to like in this sort of closeup portrature?

[Marko]

What about props Marko? You didn't like any that I used at all. Are there props you do like? Or are props something you don't tend to like in this sort of closeup portrature?

The props here for me are an absolute distraction. The magic in all the shots takes place in your daughter's eyes. The feathers do not at all help the shot, so, IMO, they are distractions. For me, any prop used should add or help the shot. The bright burst of pink does not add to the shot, it takes the viewer's eyes away from the magic of the eyes and competes with them.
Also - the feathers are not really a modern prop...um...kinda has a burlesque feel which isn't the intent of the shot (imo). Compare that to the necklace in shot 2 which ADDS to the shot and is not a distraction and does not compete with your daughter's amazing baby blues.

Hope that helps,

Marko

[Mad Aussie]

It helps greatly indeed!! Thanks.