Aiden @ 26 months

My 4th, and likely last, grandchild.  He has a great disposition, always a smile for those he loves and who love him.  He's been that way since day one!  Always up for a photo session.  In fact he often instigates them.  Grandma, camera right, playing peek-a-boo with him, didn't have to work very hard to coax this winning smile from him.  This one goes on the wall.  Thanks for stopping by.  Best, LM.

Beautiful portrait, Len!  Can't think of a thing that could improve this.  And what a cutie pie!  Did you use studio lighting?

This is a beauty of a child , and photography portrait ! Seeing Aiden portrait after he was born, looks like he will be a " heart breaker" when his time will come. Right now he is one , as a child...Technical, it is flawless, light is really perfect.

Nice to have a visit from you.  Thanks for your thoughts.  He really is a gentle soul & such a delight to be with.  The lighting setup is described in the 'Technical Details' (if you can follow them) :-)  Best, LM

Thanks for your vote of confidence.  Often, simple is best & the main light for this one is simply bounced off the ceiling.  Having him lay down on a white paper background supplied enough fill to finish the job.  All we had to do then was get the expression.  He co-operated beautifully. Always a treat to get a visit from you.  Best, LM.

My, what a handsome young man.  The lighting is perfect, the pose classic, and the smile is irresistible! As you said, this one has to go on the wall...  Mike

Keeping things simple is usually most productive.  Add a handsome & co-operative subject and it's tough to go wrong.  Makes one look like a real photographer.  :-)  Thanks for your visit and comment.  Best, LM.

What a beautiful portrait!  Very nice indeed!

Thanks for your feed back on the photo of my sister and her dog!

He's a joy!  I think the photo does him justice.  Thanks for your visit & comment.  Best, LM.

The innocence of childhood!. Your grandson is so cute, Len.  I like his shy look, perfect pose, but his smile is the best! 

 When my children were young, I usually  told them something funny to make them laugh (when taking a picture of them), and the result was a natural smile.  I find in this image, the same connexion!

Kind Regards,

Rosario.

I always claim that for a child portrait to be successful the key is expression.  Nail that and everything else is of secondary importance.  I am most happy with this result.  I've now printed it & placed it on the wall with other family photos going back almost 40 years.  Gotta keep my new D5100 paying for itself.  :-)  Many thanks for your visit & comment.  Best, LM.

Hi Len

You have collected the opposites ( good sharpness and beautiful softness ). Clear and very accurate skin color. And what is more striking is the trend of his looks. best regards

I like how easy this was to produce.  A white paper background with the main light bounced off the ceiling, a couple of hair lights, and a willing subject. (who got lots of sleep the night before.)  :-)  I lay on the floor at his height & Grandma did the rest.  We can thank to the modern digital DSLR for the skin tones & colour.   Thanks for your thoughts & visit.  Best, LM.

Len, well lit, posed and expressed. I like that there is no direct eye contact - the viewer is less engaged that way and see more of your image, not only a subject.

The off-lens gaze is perhaps a less intimate pose but introduces a kind of candid element even though there is clearly a studio environment involved.  Whatever, this one comes pretty close to revealing his real personality, to me at least.  Many thanks for taking the time & effort to comment.  Best, LM.

I fully agree with Christal that I don't see how this could be improved.

Aiden is a name that was unknown to me so I looked it up (what would we do without Google) and it says that it is of Irish origin and it means 'warm' or 'little fire'.   The character of this young fellow as i see it here, comes through as "warm'.

All the very best and it really feels like an early Spring out there.

Always a pleasure to hear from you.  The lighting ratio here (I'm guessing) is likely close to 2:1, fine if one is looking for high key, and thanks mainly to the reflectiveness of the white paper he is laying on. (have to remember that for the next time; this setup is easy and repeatable.  As for Aiden, 'warm' describes him if one can only use one word.  He's working on 'little fire' thanks mainly to the influence of his more energetic older sister.  A warm & very windy spring day today.  Too bad it's also garbage day.  Wind & garbage are a poor combination.  :-)  Thanks for your interest & kind assessment.  Best, LM.