'Aiden', at 7 Months

Here's the B&W version.  Preferences?  I'm leaning toward the B&W, a favourite of mine for people photos. His big sister's photo at 7 months can be found here.   Best, LM.

I prefer the color. It gives him more life. It's a sweet and simple portrait, a keepsake which his parents should love and which, in the future, he will love. The black and white suggests it's trying to be other than that and just seems off to me, at least as rendered. Very nice portrait and whatever you're final decision is, of course, yours, but I'm much more engaged by the color where the black and white feels a bit bland to me.

Good to have your views on this one.  I admit a certain bias being this is my grandson so any technical issues take a back seat in my decision making.  Though I prefer B&W for people shots it's the colour version that I've printed for display in my home.  You might say 'His Mrs. has had a hand in that decision' and you'd be right.  That said, it's really a coin toss for me.  I like both versions.  Best, LM.

A nice one, Len -- From experience, I know how hard it can be to photograph a baby...You managed to capture him in a good sitting pose here too, not too hunched over (as is often the case at this particular age). His connected expression (to the viewer) is great. Although I have a particular fondness for B&W, I tend to agree with Fred above, as the color version feels softer, warmer and a bit more lively to me... The outfit is also neutral enough so as to not be distracting... best, Marjolein

B&W or colour, something for everyone.  Yes, at this age they do have a tendency to fold in half.  It's why I employ a baby straightener off camera.  It's also helpful to have Mommy playing peek-a-boo right behind the photographer.  (or wherever you want their eyes to be directed to)  Good point about the colour of the outfit.  All too often a bright outfit competes too heavily with the subject.  Lot's of lessons to be digested here but that's why I love this site.  Thanks for your enlightening thoughts.  Best, LM.

Well 3 months from your previous portrait of Aiden...very nice angle and sweet as  he was before .I like B/W but usually I like better colors as the world was created with colors... so you can understand my preferance. He is a beautiful smiling  baby,  full of life, and colors !!...;-))

Always a pleasure to hear from you & to contemplate your views.  I'm trying to match the timeline with Aiden's photos  that I took with his sister Jessica's.  So far, so good!  While it's still a novelty I'd like to capture him putting his hand up when Daddy says "High Five, Aiden"! Cute!  Stay tuned for that one.  Consensus seems to prefer the colour version so colour it is!  Best, LM.

How beautiful baby!! Excellent job.

Cheers

Many thanks for your visit and comment.  Much appreciated.  Best, LM.

what a happy little bear

He is indeed a happy little bear.  Get's his sleep when he needs it so he always has a pleasant demeanor.  Photographer's delight!  Thanks for your visit.  Best, LM.

a lovely piece of work!

i prefer the color version as it feels more alive

p.s. i really like Jessica's second photograph at the link you've posted

Your visit is most welcome!  Looks like the consensus is for the colour version.  Although I like both it's the colour version that got printed.  I was out voted at home too! :-(   I also agree with your choice on the other two you referred to. See, 'Great minds think alike'.  Best, LM.

Hi Len

Very living photograph, exceptional subject separation, standout colours in its contrast. Best regards

Your visits are always most welcome.  Thanks for your thoughts and observations.  This little guy is my newest joy,  joining my three other grandchildren.  Looks like I'll have subject material for the foreseeable future.  Stay tuned!  :-)  Best, LM.

I like both versions and the white backgrounds that you used for both.

Me too, though others have given valid reasons for preferring the colour one.  I like them both because of the subject, my newest grandson.  :-)  Thanks for your visit.  Best, LM.

I just read a comment you wrote to Alf saying you primarily use a point and shoot camera.  Sure enough.....this is a Power Shot image.  Very impressive work!  Just shows that the fanciest equipment in the wrong hands isn't worth much, but a good eye and creative use of a P&S can yield some excellent shots.  I'm particularly impressed with this because I've discovered how hard it is to get pictures of my own granddaughter.   My daughter, son-in-law, and 15 month old were here for 1 week over Thanksgiving.  I didn't get one single really great shot of my granddaughter the entire time she was here.  Of course, I don't have a studio arrangement as it looks like you have here, but still......it was disappointing.  How lucky little Aiden (cute name) has a grandpa who can capture his childhood!  Oh, and BTW, both are excellent, but I prefer the color version.

Your opinions and observations are much appreciated.  It's true, I believe, that the lighting setup (simple or complex) trumps the sophistication of the camera in most cases.  I've settled on an 'in studio' setup that works for me.  No longer concerned about lighting, all I need do now is place the subject onto the set and take a number of photos (subject's tolerance determines the exact number) to obtain the best combination of pose and expression.  Here's my setup.  Not too sophisticated is it?  (for babies, of course, I don't use the stool)  Should be easy for anyone.  Hope that's helpful.  And good luck on your next session.  By the way, Anne Geddes says best time for baby photos is in the morning. (when they've had ample sleep and are well fed). And she should know!  We'll await your next results with bated breath.  :-)  Best, LM.

Thanks so much for this image and your description of your setup.  It is modest, but obviously efficient for you.  I notice that you don't have a reflector or umbrella.....do you ever feel the need for one?  I actually want to get equipment to start some studio work, but I haven't had the time to research, and I want to be careful to get only what I absolutely need to get started.  The first thing I want to get is a backdrop of some kind.....is yours purchased or home-rigged?  Thanks if you can help, Len!  

Thanks for keeping this going.  It may be of benefit to others as well.  I do in fact own an umbrella (see sample here) but seldom use it as I've found that the low white ceiling (7ft) of my 'man cave' provides good bounced lighting for the photos I've been taking lately and some modeling can be achieved by placing the bounced main light to the left or to the right of my subject.  I also have a reflector but for baby shots with a white foreground (blanket) I haven't needed it.  I've shown how I support a roll of seamless white paper (two light stands and a stick for a cross beam tied together with clamps) but I also use a piece of black fabric from a fabric store (about 7 ft long and 6 ft wide) hooked to my 'frame' with additional clamps.  The paper is only about 4.5 ft wide & really only suitable for single or, at best, two subjects close together.  If I were to do things over I'd opt only for the fabric in at least black and white plus any other colour that works for you.  I think the key is to light the (white) background separately.  Hope this helps.  Let me know if you need any elaboration of the details.  Best, LM.