Family outing at the zoo (large view available)

Didn't know which category to put this in. I'd appreciate your

comments, please!

This just goes to show, that even the simplest photos, like the ones taken for the family album, can be elevated almost to art, by applying some photographic knowledge. Your use of light and the composition really saves this image. Good job.

 

Really nice work, Christal.  The composition is spot on and the colors are great.  A photo you should be very proud of. 

The feel in flash was needed, but a little bit less strong I guess Christal!

 

Best regards

 

PDE

Svend & Bill.....Yes, I love this too, but I guess I'm partial because this is my daughter and her family.  Thanks for weighing in on this.....much appreciated.

 

Pierre.....FYI they were standing in a very dark underground tunnel, so there was a broad range of light with the bright penguin exhibit behind them.  So yes, I did need the flash.  Since we were walking around the zoo, I didn't want to take my external flash (which I admit I don't use all that often).  This was just the on camera flash, so that's why it appears the way it does.  I appreciate your thoughts about this, Pierre.....good to hear from you!

Hi Christal,

  Wonderful family portrait with great lighting, colors & expression's.  One for the scrapbook.  Take care, Patsy

An excellent candid portrait of the family, beautiful Mom, precious Babe and, well MHSIL ;-).  A good job with the fill flash...  Mike

Patsy....haha.....you mean the figurative scrapbook.  The problem with digital is that I never get around to printing anything out anymore.  I need to be better about that.  Thanks for your lovely comment.

 

Mike.....maybe YOU can get by with calling your son-in-law MHSIL, but I wouldn't dare!!!  haha    We love him to death.....and I know you love yours as well!  I'll pass your compliments along to them.  Thanks! 

Christal,

A very good Family memory portrait! A photograph I'm sure they will cherish always.

Good looking Family too!

Someone once said . . . "The best things in life aren't things"

Cheers & best wishes always,

Jim j.

 

Jim.....what you say is so true.  The older I get the less value I place on material possessions or 'working up that corporate ladder'.   I prefer simple things.....family, friends and nature (and in my case music).  They feed my soul.  Unfortunately, I don't get to see my daughter and her family very often.  We're in Indiana and they're in Edmonton.  Thanks for your visit and kind remark.

Your Family is lovely Christal. Are these the ones that live in Canada? I imagine they are. Did it take as long to arrive at their home? Beautiful capture to treasure. I know you don't get up as often as you'd like, you must miss your 'sweet grandaughter' very much. (Here I am assuming you went there, perhaps they came to visit you!!!)

Yes, this is my daughter and her family.  They live in Edmonton, and they just came here to visit us over Thanksgiving.  Her husband is in med school, and that's the time he could get away.  We won't see them over Xmas.  This was taken at our zoo.  They often take the baby to the zoo in Edmonton, and she loves the animals.  She's smart as a whip.....but I suppose all grandparents say that about their grandkids, right?   Thanks so much...good to hear from you.  Also, I don't know if I'm going to have time to send out Xmas greetings to my PN friends, so please enjoy a wonderful holiday with your family.  Blessings, Christal

Very good family portrait indeed. However, fill flash a bit too strong but that's my personal opinion.

this is an excellent family portrait Christal...fill flash looks fine to me

The look on the baby is priceless.  I always wonder what kids this age think during these outings, not having any real experience to put what they are witnessing into perspective.  I'd be a little stunned by penguins if I didn't know any better.

This image is wonderful and the kind of photo I am always looking for. People fascinates me, all cultures, races and gender. This family is very well presented with the expression of being enchanted with what they are looking at. Cristian Fernandez is the son of Alex my newphew who is 40 years old and has a 5 year old daughter, Isabela who is adorable. Thank you for your time and love! Warm regards my friend.

Great candid for the family album. Better than the cheesy grins we often come back with.  Most times it just isn't possible to take the time to get a properly balanced (flash & ambient) image but I think the camera, in this case at least, made a totally acceptable compromise.  I think most modern cameras get it right most of the time.  Increases the rate of acceptable images at any venue.  Woo Hoo!  Best, LM.

I haven't been on PN much lately, so I'm just seeing your very kind comments.  Each time I come back to this image I like it more than before......but of course I'm extremely biased since this is my granddaughter!  And Len, FYI, I take PLENTY of shots with cheesy grins, so it was nice to capture them in a family moment.  I didn't pose them, and I'm rarely able to pull off a shot like this.

...

Excellent unforced poses and expressions captured in this image..!

Precise exposure Christal ... natural skin tones and well written facial details...!

Very successful portraiture work...!!!

 

 Actually with that background and with the baby focusing at what the Mum is pointing out tells a wonderful story as for the flash, it highlights the family in a surreal way that gives the picture an extraordinary look. I would soften the line between the finger and the head and work a bit more on the sky and you would have your self a definite keeper for the album. 

Wonderful suggestion, and I'm surprised I didn't consider softening that line.  Yes, blending the blues of the sky would definitely be an improvement.  Thanks so much for your wonderful advice.  I have several images that our local Zoo wants for their publications.  This is among them, so I'm glad I got your advice before sending them.  I may not change it here on PN, but I will definitely change it.  Thanks!  I'd like your opinion on removing what is obviously water droplets on the glass....would you remove them in the sky area, or leave them as is? 

Karolos.....thanks for your comment.  I do like this one as well, but I'm obviously partial.  :-)

I am glad that I have been able to help and I can see why your local zoo is keen to have the picture. It has a 'wow' factor and as I said before It tells a story and I suppose it would encourage other couples to visit. As for the water droplets, I think their from the splash of the penguin that dove. His head is visible in the foreground bottom left of the picture. I would not worry about them.

Thanks again for your help.  I value your opinion.  :-)