Layla - Just Day Dreaming - enlarge

Another image taken while my son Jess and fiancé Jen were visiting

in April. This shot was taken with my 100mm Macro - it is a bit soft

but I don't mind so much - I just love the 'lost' in thought expression

on her face. Innocence - wish it could last forever.... :) thanks for

looking, Gail

She has beautiful eyes!

Thank you Kathy.  The eyes are not as sharp - my focus was a bit off or perhaps I moved - but it seems to suit the image ok.  I should start remembering I can put a bit of cheesecloth or something even on my external flash - I don't always like the light in the eyes. Thank you Kathy for your visit.

Charming. In my opinion the softing is perfect. The eyes are sharp and that is important.

Marvelous! But that expression says, "Wonder why she's using a macro lens here? Grown ups are so strange!"

Grandchildren bond very well with their grand parents and especially with their Grandmothers. The picture, which is a bit soft as you say, it actually adds to the tenderness of the child. And there is nothing wrong with using a macro lens at a distance for a portrait. I have many reasonable shots with a macro at a distance which are very sharp. Macro lenses are very sensitive to camera shake but if the light is good and your grip is firm, you can get very good results. Good photo, Gail and I like the background, to which you added some texture I believe?

Hi Gail, Layla is so cute and so sweet. Her eyes are a little bit sleepy and dreamy. Beautiful capture, as usual! Warm regards. MAx

Hi Gail, She has that sweet slightly lost look on her face, like she just awoke from an afternoon nap, you've presented this beautifully.

Best Always, Holger

Soft to perfection for me Gail, but with nice texture in the background too.

Layla is gorgeous.

Tony

Gail,

  Beautiful portrait with wonderful colors & soft background.  She is so cute.  Take care, Patsy

Hi Gail. Indeed, Layla seems to be daydreaming. I like the composition of the picture and post processing work. Pastel colors are perfect here!

Warm Regards,

Rosario.

A really lovely image ! The softness and pastel shades make it special . Bill

Bill said all I wanted to say! Well done, Gail!

 

Cheers to that

 

PDE

For me, here, a 6 is very right. A wonderful and sweet baby portrait. Brava my dear friend, compliments!!!

I appreciate every comment so much, back this week to do my replies, :) Gail

Maurizio     -  As always I appreciate your very kind and helpful words of critique.  I wish for you a wonderful Summer!

Eystein       -  Hello!  So good to hear you enjoyed this composition. I am not very experienced at Portraiture, especially little ones who are busy. I was fortunate to capture Layla during a brief moment of contemplation :)

Warren       -  Thanks so much for your vist Warren.  I have found my Canon EF 100mm Macro Lens to be great for Portraits.  Now the challenge is for me to manually focus to get the shot in decent focus across the Focal Plane. I don't always achieve this, but I am spurred on by the challenge.  Often times I use my EF 24-105mm for this kind of shot - but my Macro Lens was on this day and I just went for it.  One day a dedicated Portrait Lens would be nice :)

Dimitris      -  Sincere thanks for your visit!!  You know so well the joy of grandchildren.  I have to be very careful when manually focusing with this lens, it does not have IS on it - I do know capturing Layla while she is still is a challenge and sometimes I anticipate that she might move quickly - that is something I will have to be more aware of because I think I may not always keep my hands as still as I should.  I was happy I got this shot however - as I did say and you agreed, it is a tad soft - but to have captured this expression on her face is all that matters to me right now.  In a few years when I am more experienced at Portraiture I may slap my hand for saying that - but it is all in the 'moments' and these ones will never occur again.  I hope your grandchildren are all doing well my friend :)

Massimo      -  thanks so much for your visit!! I have to be so careful with this lens re Camera Shake (actually careful with myself-some days my back and hands fight each other :)   Perhaps the IS feature on the new version would be very helpful for me. Always practising though!  Sincere thanks for those lovely words expressed my friend.

 

 

 

Dear Gail this is a superb presentation I love Layla's expression and everything about her! The softness goes perfect with her personality and gentelness

Thank you for sharing her with all os us my friend.

 

I know how much you love children - these sincere words warm my heart - I'm not well versed in Portraiture - but I've decided to keep trying! THANKYOU ! for your visit.

Very Good (6) - a real cutie!

Sorry I am late with this response - thank you for that compliment - she is precious and so much fun!

Adorable!!!!

Thank you Alberto !! this is one of my favorites