Just a Little Spring Flower (Please view Large)

Continuing to learn studio lighting. Tyson is not the most cooperative subject, but you go with what you got! :) The idea here is to blur a variegated background so as not to distract from the subject. And yes, I know, it would be better without the pacifier, but...... he only parts with it on his own terms, and wearing a flower petal headband was not one of those terms.

See the message below. Comments and critiques welcome.

I don't know much about lighting, not to mention studio lighting so don't take my opinions too serious. Regarding your question I think that lighting your model from a soft sidelight will generate shadows and gives a sense of what the boy might feel like. I also think that if the boy appears without pacifier the picture will be much better. 6/6.

Pablo

Nice!

Very vivid colours!

nice 6/6

Pablo- thanks for the suggestion. I hope to try it all. The main thing on this one is to blur a mottled background so as not to distract from the subject. Not being fond of mottled backgrounds, this was a difficult one for me.

I know the pacifier is not picturesque, but it adds such a light touch...it makes me smile. I think you did a very nice job with the lighting, and his eyes are so clear...really what draws your attention...

I too agree with how striking the eyes are. But you always do a great job with that. The skin tones are very nice and soft. Nice work! I see in your bio that you've retired. How about Toby?

Amazing eyes! Sharp, sharp everywhere, especially the eyes. Actually, I wonder if it would be even better had you shot this with the all white background. Still, captivating!

what a lovely baby! and how well you took a shot - he's almost falling out of my screen onto my desk! great capture, really like it :)

Thanks Linda, Ken, Wilson & ViP.

 

Linda- his eyes are just so amazing, people stop

our daughter all the time and comment on his eyes! The pacifier is a natural extention of him at this point. It's actually hard to find ones that are not strangely decorated with ugly stuff!

 

Ken- Toby has retired from the hospital work but

still continues with his office practice.

 

Wilson- I agree, but the assignment was a mottled background, so.... that's what I shot! I shot some on a black background, they turned out cute too. Had to beg, borrow and steal this. I'm not fond of mottled backgrounds so I don't own one.

 

 

That is a spring child. Pnina

Thank you- but the background was the key here. I had to use a short DOF to blur the mottled background. My assignment. He is up on all 4's, if you look closely you can see a tiny bit of his rear in the upper right. As far as the stripes, actually I like them. I wasn't trying for anything meaningful, but they do kind of lead you to his face, kind of remind me of bumble bee stripes! :) Maybe I should have titled this "Bumble Bee in Disguise". He does kind of looks like a bumble bee!:) If I remember correctly, he was humming like a bee too, as he rocked back and forth on all 4's! LOL He's just learning to crawl.

Jayme, you handled the background quite well. Having shot a number of pet portraits lately, I can identify with your challenge.

 

Just my personal opinion, and from other comments, I'm probably alone.....I would eliminate the petal head dress but keep the pacifier. I might also have framed this with the baby's head just a little higher. I don't know if that's patch on his shirt (the bug) but it's a slight distraction.

 

Those are just minor thoughts. As others have said....it's those captivating eyes that command the viewers attention.

Thanks Laurie- I was on the floor, on my belly, he was up on all 4's. Just learning to crawl:) You take what you can get. I'm sure you understand that with the animal pictures. For some reason, they just don't take directions very well:) I'm thinking of teaching him baby sign language :) Just kidding! As far as the bug on his shirt, I'm so far out of the loop today, I have no clue, just know it was buzzing around his shirt when he threw up on it! :) Had to change clothes shortly after this. Learned Rule #1- never feed a baby within 45 minutes of photographs!:)

Jayme- have you always shot with the MarkII? I dont know why I just noticed that bit of detail. I admit to just skimming the thread- I agree with keep the binky toss the flowerband. Isnt playing with lights fun? well its all fun until you burn down the house or your props that is.

You're so funny Knicki! I hope NOT to burn the house down, however, I do have replacement value insurance:) He actually liked the head band, go figure. As it fell off, he kept trying to put it back on. Obviously related to the "Bunny Eared" kid! Brothers. He really loves the devil eared head band the most! Figures!

 

As far as the Mark II Ds, it was my 50th birthday gift, me to me! I give myself the best gifts! It finally came in the end of Decemeber, just in time for my January birthday! My husband was relieved he didn't have to pick something out! He always buys jewelry. Pretty, but not my area of interest. However, he did splurge on a bracelet & ring designed by our daughter. They have all the birth stones of our children and grandchildren included. I love all three gifts. It was a very special surprise birthday party that made me cry though!

If you don't want the jewellery your husband buys you, send it to me. As for this little jewel! You must be proud.... of the photo that is.

 

As someone once said, "I like kids, but I couldn't eat a whole one!"

Thanks for the offer about the jewelry David, but I think not! :) This one would be quite a lot for one sitting. He weighs in at about 23lbs/ 6 months old. Almost more than our 3 year old grandson. So he's a rather large bumble bee! :)