Daughter

Ger... beautiful lighting, expression and sharpness! Nicely caught!

I have had this lens for about 6 months now and never used it. I am

now wondering why, I like the crispness USM in PS couldn't even add

sharpness to it.

 

Anyhow..Comments and improvements please.

 

Ger..

Beautiful photo Ger. Really nice use of the shallow DOF.

I think you've captured her amazing eyes really well here. The difference in focus in each of them is an interesting approach and works for me here in creating some of the expression and highlighting the depth and adding to the softness of her face. Personally, I'm not a big fan of this type of closeup shot. I have a hard time getting past areas like the crease right under her mouth (there's a slight greenish tint to the shadow there also), the brownish area at the curve of her nose, and the veininess in her eyelid. These are areas that, of course, exist, but definitely don't flatter. In a further shot, they wouldn't be an issue and would blend into the beautiful and sweet expression more. But in this kind of shot, every detail is heightened. I know I tend to get pretty close with some of my portraits. The difference I see is that I'm often trying to express and expose the weathering of age and the textures of time that (especially) men experience (I don't know that I'd do the same with women, we'll see in time). I think if your lighting were perfect, a shot like this might become flattering in capturing the innocence of the skin and features at this age. But I imagine that is very difficult. Curious if this makes sense to you or do you see it or feel it differently? --Fred

Thanks for the comments.

 

Fred to answer your question as best I can. I do understand what you are saying and on one sense I do agree with what you are saying but on the other hand (maybe this is the parent hand) those folds in the skin and other such slight or unslight imperfections are what define my subject?s individuality.

Maybe a reflector under would have bounced a bit more light up, I had one in my hand but she grabbed it off me and started throwing it around the room. Little things like that can be so difficult when you are photographing a child.

I would love be at the level where I could photograph a grown lady like this but at this stage I would never consider it.

BTW, this started as a test shot for a lens I've had for 6 months, I wanted to see if it was sharp, which it proved to be.

Once again thanks for your insight and you have raised questions here about my photography which I don't even consider, I just see her eyes and start tripping the shutter so once again your comment has been a great education to me even if the parent me felt the issues you raised had to be explained.

 

Ger.

My guess is that the parent in you is the more important and will guide you emotionally to get the beautiful expressions you want. Next time, get some of her in action throwing the reflector around. That sounds like an exciting photograph (and a personal statement on child photography) in itself. A lot of both of our photos are very personal and will maintain meaning and memories for us for years to come, technical details be damned.

Cheers Fred, I'll try and grab some of them for you next time as I'm crying...LOL

Now please tell me was I right about the hand on you shot "window? I have been back to look several times and I figure his arm could be wrapped around the curtain and therefore it could be his hand however I really hope its not his hand now as I figued the focusing out based on the fact it was not his hand!

 

Ger..

If you promise not to tell anyone else (several people seemed to really want it not to be his and I hate to burst their bubbles). It was his hand. I was at an odd angle, wanting to get exactly the shot I had in mind (with no distractions or weird shadows), so I think the perspective may be contributing to the questions about the hand. I obviously wanted the face and hand to have interplay and both to be almost equally prominent (which I originally thought was the most unusual part of the shot, not even thinking it would appear not to be his). I was glad when it turned out to be another enigma for people. I also think the fact that his hand was so much closer to the window, giving it a different quality of light, may be at play. There you have the big secret!

Hey Ger

 

Keep using that lens... It worked great!

 

Close-ups like this are really hard... I've done a few with Nicki, and most didn't turn out. Thankfully with little ones, the folds and creases aren't as noticeable, but on a grown up... Especially a woman... Well, that's a great way to end up sleeping on the couch! LOL!

 

Keep going with these! Your portraits are getting better and better all the time... Now if I can just catch up to you in landscapes! LOL!

Fred thanks for the input on that shot, just goes to show how light and angles can alter your perspectives and feeling to a shot.

I'd love to be in your head when you a taking a shot just so I could see how you dissect a photograph, I bet that would be a real education.

Ger..

Darren,

 

Stop right there before you get in REAL trouble...

Yea the sharpness really surprised me, I only got the lens to have a macro for wedding shots but I'll be using it for portraits that is for sure. A 50mm 1.4 or something might have to be next..

Darren, you are way ahead in the portrait stakes, I wish I could bring the character of a person out the way you can.

 

Ger..

You are Way too kind Ger!

 

I have a 50mm f1.8. Fred Reccomended the f1.4, but for the price difference, I went with the 1.8... Takes amazing photo's! I can't wait to try it out in the studio with a little more control with the light than I had in Mexico.

I'm getting business cards done up so hopefully in a few weeks I'll be hitting the market.

I want to focus on children so we'll see how it goes, if I make a bit of cash from it a new lens will be purchased. Guys are raving about the 85mm 1.8 but as I have this 90mm and the result are pin sharp I can't see the need.

 

Ger..

Ya, so far I am preferring the fixed focal length over the zoom for clarity and sharpness... But it sure does make you work harder with the fixed focal length.

 

My next one will most likely be this 90mm that you shot with, or maybe the 100 f2.8

I find it can be a difficult to focus with when your really near and macro shooting its better on manual focus (which you'll probably want to do anyway). The price difference is huge compared to the canon version and the difference is minimal apparently.

For sharpness I'd recommend it.

I know what you mean for working harder that is why I'm worrying about shooting kids on fixed focal length but its would be prefect for babies.

 

Ger..

Yes, it would be perfect with Babies. And I am sure with kids, you would get used to it. It's still going to be a while before I can get my next lens, and I would like a speedlight first, so I have time to do lots of research.

 

To me, the extra work in using the fixed focal length is worth it when you see the results.

Sigma DG 500 Super is a good flash, got two of them..Get yourself a stick and a radio trigger, even if you only get 1 flash..much better results, 1 flash in a park.

http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5752144

 

Yea, I'm a fixed focal length convert now. Its just when I put USM in PS on and there was no change...and I went WOW!!

 

Ya, that was the flash I was looking at. Much cheaper than the Canon, and has the same features.... I also want to get the stands and little umbrellas for them, or diffusers at least.

Definitely get all that, the brollys do break. Well we get a lot of wind over here and 1 of mine is broken after 4 uses..and I wouldn't call them cheap

 

Oh, I asked Tore Nilsson about all this before I bought and he recommended silver for location work and white for indoors. I only got silver but have used the silver indoors and its grand esp for BW

 

Ger..

Thanks Ger, I appreciate the pointers. Now get to work! LOL!

 

Like I'm one to talk!

I just did 20 minutes work!! LOL!!

LOL! well you are way ahead of me... I've been here for 3 hours and haven't really done anything yet! LOL!

 

The guys and I are getting our butts whipped over on Jan Pillers photo of the paper clock... stop by, we could use the help! LOL!

Ger, First, I think this is a great photo. It's difficult to photograph our own kids because everything they do seems magical and amazing. Our photos conjure up very personal memories of tender encounters and funny moments. Unfortunately, these are memories that other people, not knowing our children, do not share. So, I think photographing our own children requires some extra work, seeing our children through the eyes of others. With kids this age, capturing their tenderness and innocence is key. You've caught the delicacy of her face extremely well. You've also captured that determined face of a daughter who has her own mind and her own way. This complexity makes this a great photo, beyond a pretty snapshot.

I couldn't agree more with Jeff above. This is so true. When we look at images of our own children that we've taken, we feel this connection and love for the image that others are not able to see or begin to understand. What may be the best photo to us may look somewhat average to the outsider. But I also think that anybody who has spent much time behind a camera photographing their children can share in the appreciation of these wonderful little beings.