Portrait by Window Light

An early attempt at child portraiture.  A free afternoon, a MF camera with B&W film, a large, soft light source, and a willing subject.  Doesn't come together much better than that.  Best, LM.

I'm absolutely no expert in portraits, so I'm afraid I can't give you any suggestion or find any possible improvement. I simply find it sooo lovely! All the best!

I haven't posted this oldie with the intention of soliciting critiques but they will probably follow anyway.  My main purpose here was to demonstrate the portrait possibilities which exist with a minimum of lighting equipment (bay window and a reflector).   A roll of black paper provided an unimaginative though un-distracting  background. (takes the place of the sofa and wall hanging which would have otherwise been apparent).  I found this one at the bottom of an old shoebox while searching for something to illustrate an idea to another PNer with & thought it had some merit.  Thanks for your most welcome visit.  Best, LM.

really excellent image..very good light...I like it a lot..congrats.regards.

Thanks for your visit & your thoughts.  Best, LM.

It's hard to beat window light for softness and gentle falloff. This is excellent, Len. I suspect taken at a time when children were more amenable to staying still for a while.

Good to hear from you again.  Yes, this is Daddy's Little Girl who would have  posed all day for him if he asked.  Her daughter, now just a year or so younger then the subject of this photo, is much like her.  When she enters Grandpa's 'studio' she heads straight for the posing stool & waits for me to fire up the two dedicated flashes I have set up there.  I have photos of her in my 2010 and 2009 folder taken with this setup.  Best, LM.

Len, you are truly blessed. The best I can get these days is screwed up faces.

Screwed up faces?  I got some of those.  My grandsons are not as stable as my granddaughter.  :-)  Take what you can get & archive it.  And you are right about the blessings.  They just come in different forms.   Best, LM.

Len, I recently photographed children by window light, and I wish that they could have worn a similar dress (robe à smock) as the subject in your photo was wearing here :-)  -- I love window light for portraits (however tricky at times) and you succeeded very nicely with this one, I think.  I actually wouldn't mind seeing a bit of (blurred) background with sofa actually, instead of the black paper roll.... (although, as you mentioned above, the black roll provides an un-distracting back ground indeed). Her sweet grin is lovely, btw. Best regards, Marjolein

Len

Absolutely amazing texture of the fabric. The natural reflected window light gave a very nice white tone in the twisted areas of her dress. Best regards

Thanks for your 2 cents worth.  Window light is indeed tricky.  Usually soft and of low level, it often dictates a slow shutter speed and thus a calm subject.  No source for the energetic two boys above.  These guys need electronic flash.  1\1000s min. :-)  Also, since the light source is fixed, one must move the subject around to obtain the best lighting pattern on the face.  I chose a reflector to fill the shadows a bit.  Backgrounds are a major consideration with any light source.  Here, I was experimenting with a newly acquired roll of black paper.  One of my most satisfying portraits.  Best, LM.

Good to have your views on this one.  It's tough to beat the soft quality of light from a window (imitates a softbox).  One can actually control the contrast by placing the subject closer to (high) or further from (lower) the window.  I would normally recommend medium or darker clothing for this type of photo in order to keep the face as the main attraction but the dress was a major element here and one which we wanted to record.  Best, LM.

This seems very much like a timeless classic portrait and I think the dress and the B & W tones accentuates that look. Excellent clarity particularly the bright eyes and cheerful smile. I'm not sure about the black paper, on one hand it does a great job in isolating the subject, and projecting her luminescence, on the other hand that very isolation gives the impression that she stands in a void, without any connection to the real world. But suffice to say, the image is a definate keeper, and one that I'm sure will be treasured and give great pleasure.

Best Regards

Alf

A lone bright star in the black void!  I like that.  It's not likely that I'd use the same approach today.  A more appropriate background would be chosen.  I still think it beats a sofa which would date it and a photo on the wall that I was once proud of but now see too many flaws in. This is my daughter at age 3 or 4 and it is a treasure among my shoebox offerings.  I now set my sights on her daughter, another family treasure.  Thanks for your helpful thoughts.  Best, LM.

Len, The lighting is perfect here and her smile divine. 

I'm still working on my roll of b x w film.  I got the farm pics that I had been procrastinating about but I want to go back one more time.  I'm waiting for the right kind of lighting, the challenge of nature.

 

Nice to have your take on this one.  Good luck on your quest.  I'm sure you'll end up with some keepers.  Don't forget to post a few.  Best, LM.

I added a new photo to my portfolio and submitted for critique in the category of fashion.  I promise to have my b & w film developed soon!

I must say you are a rich grandfather...;-)) and this portraits shows the difference between girls and boys. Lovely trio, with great  window light on that sweet girl.!

Though your first statement is still true, this is actually my daughter taken many years ago. (try 30+)  Yes, girls are sweet and so are boys but in my experience boys are more of a challenge.  :-)  One could spend a lot of money on artificial lighting equipment and still not get the quality of light we have here for free.  Best, LM. 

I forgot that you  still have the shoe box...;-))

Really Good ....

I have only one question ............ did she give your toy back ?

Nice to hear from you again.  Yeh, the toy:  But she knew it was just a loaner.  Kept her happy for a few minutes.  Only did it because she's special, my daughter.  :-)  Good to see you're well and that your timing is still good.  (seen your latest post).  Best, LM.

That wonderful spark of a smile, there for only an instant and you captured it perfectly. I'm a great admirer of photographers who have a good grasp of tone (something I've been trying to work on in my own pictures) and you're certainly among the best.

Thanks for your most welcome visits.  As for capturing the ideal expression, you know what they say about throwing spaghetti at the wall:  throw enough & some will stick.  :-)  Best, LM.