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Mum asked for a picture of the granddaughter in her new school uniform (she's only just turned 3! - didn't start that young in my day!).
Anyway, despite usually being a good model she just wouldn't pose, just stood there looking miserable so I gave up. Then I suggested she tried climbing a tree - that worked
Not sure it made me popular with mum though, I reckon the new uniform had to go in the wash before she'd even been to school
__________________ Stuart R
Life is an incurable disease with a 100% mortality rate
One for the family album Stuart, she seems a little tomboyish in a cute sorta way. Nice light on her front and face, did you use a reflector or is that natural sunlight? Pity about the thin branch over her chest, but you can't have everything I suppose when you are having to take the opportunity when it presents itself. If I had been able I would have used a wider aperture reducing the depth of field in order to concentrate the attention on her more, though I'm nitpicking a bit
Mum asked for a picture of the granddaughter in her new school uniform (she's only just turned 3! - didn't start that young in my day!).
Anyway, despite usually being a good model she just wouldn't pose, just stood there looking miserable so I gave up. Then I suggested she tried climbing a tree - that worked
Not sure it made me popular with mum though, I reckon the new uniform had to go in the wash before she'd even been to school
Lovely pose, beautiful smile. Little Miss Goody Two Shoes.
Well - I love everything about this one all the way down from her sassy grin to those newly dirtied knees and legs. As for the uniform - the colour suits her well and shows off a healthy tan on a little lass who's obviously had a bloomin' good Summer.
I suspect she'll become an eager, willing little poser within the next year or two.
I'd say the ligting, shadows and exposure turned out very well on this shot. However, for the future, you might like to consider having a look at the special offer on the collapsible 5 in 1 reflectors from 7dayshop.com. It all comes in a small carrying bag, includes a diffuser, silver, gold, black and white reflectors. Here's the link very useful for times when the natural light/shadows aren't so ideal.
Hi Stephen, actually I used flash with a stofen diffuser because her face was in shadow. I've been thinking about investing in a reflector and the link Pol gave in her reply certainly looks good VFM to me. I reduced the effect of the flash further by playing with various options in DxO which is my RAW converter of choice.
28mm @ 5.6 EXIF tells me and the lens (Canon 17-85mm) only goes up to 4.5 so I doubt that would have made much difference but I take your point. I keep forgetting to stick my 60mm f2.8 macro on - probably would have been a better option for this type of picture?
__________________ Stuart R
Life is an incurable disease with a 100% mortality rate
Although I think it is a nice shot. I think it would be nicer without her in the tree, I find the tree, and the fence a distraction.
I think sat on the lawn, or even better, on bench in the garden would have been preferable.
Hi Coupekid
The little madam wouldn't pose anywhere else , it's only when I let her go up the tree that she started smiling (and showing off the bubble-gum in the corner of her mouth which she wouldn't get rid of for love nor money).
Here's an example of the "no granddad" face when we tried some more formal poses
__________________ Stuart R
Life is an incurable disease with a 100% mortality rate
The healthy tan comes from spending most of the summer with her mum in their family caravan in the country, I think she was out at sun-up and back in at sun-down. Don't think it did her any harm though!
As I replied to Stephen, I'm tempted to order one of the reflectors in your link. In fact, I think I will - I haven't bought anything for at least a week
__________________ Stuart R
Life is an incurable disease with a 100% mortality rate
I have the 50cm one, but I may also go for the smaller 30cm too at some point - could be useful indoors for small items of even head/shoulders portraits.
They suggest you might find the larger ones blow about a bit on a windy day but I dunno. I never had anyone willing to hold reflectors for me, no do I have any stands or clamps - so I just hold my own (50cm) in one hand and the cable release in the other.
I also have trouble persuading anyone to model for me .. and swear and curse at anyone who dare snigger at me when I'm doing self portraits with cable in one hand, reflector in another and a mirror (or window) in front so I can get some idea of what I'm doing.
Just get a big one and a small one and have some fun with them. They're great value imho - Kood, according to the logo on the carry bag.
The little madam wouldn't pose anywhere else , it's only when I let her go up the tree that she started smiling (and showing off the bubble-gum in the corner of her mouth which she wouldn't get rid of for love nor money).
Here's an example of the "no granddad" face when we tried some more formal poses
ha ha, well, I see what you mean, looks like you just told her off!
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