Portrait Teasers-Opinions Wanted

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

09/27/2007 10:49:37 PM · #1

I have these two shots that I took of a friend's daughter and we've been discussing doing some family portraits. I don't see her very often, and when I do, we usually just stop wherever we are and yak for a bit. I always carry my camera with me and her daughter was just hamming it up like crazy, so I racked off a couple, this one being the best.....
[thumb]592487[/thumb]and[thumb]592490[/thumb]

I like the one with "Full Bear" a little better as it's a little cleaner and IMO cuter, but I wonder if the other, with perhaps even a little more softening has appeal as it's predominantly just the little girl.

Relative to the title of the thread, I was thinking of giving my friend a print(s) to kinda let her see how her little one will photograph just as a teaser.

Will she like it?

Message edited by author 2007-09-27 22:50:40.

Konador

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

09/27/2007 10:52:28 PM · #2

I think they're a little on the dark side, but if I were the parents I'd love them! So natural and smiley! :)

Message edited by author 2007-09-27 22:52:40.

Retroesque

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

09/27/2007 10:53:38 PM · #3

As much as I like the one with the bear, I'm thinking the colour of the bear is the reason it takes away from that BEAUTIFUL child.

I'm sure the parents would love both and/or either - they are lovely.

09/27/2007 11:01:52 PM · #4

[/quote]

Originally posted by iamwoman:

That's what I'm having trouble with....I printed it out as an 8X10 and it's sooooooooo cute the way she's hugging the bear like she loves it so.....methinks it's her bestest friend (FIVE older brothers!!!!)

Anyhow, I have a print of each to take her.....should I just give her both instead of trying to decide myself?

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

09/27/2007 11:04:47 PM · #5

Originally posted by Konador:

I think they're a little on the dark side, but if I were the parents I'd love them! So natural and smiley! :)

She's a doll!

I seem to have developed this propensity to make my shots too dark.....I'm afraid it's compensation for when I first got my camera and just blew out every shot for the first few months.

Believe it or not, I actually lightened them from what I originally processed them like because I am trying to make them true to actual.

pix-al

Canon EOS-5D

09/28/2007 06:21:31 AM · #6

In the cropped headshot, the bear only just interferes with her hair. You could clone it out and get rid of the distraction... I think this would look better on the tight shot.

*Edit for appauling spelling and typo's!*

Message edited by author 2007-09-28 06:22:30.

TCGuru

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

09/28/2007 07:03:27 AM · #7

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Originally posted by iamwoman:

JenniferDavidGA

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

09/28/2007 08:15:53 AM · #8

If you have already printed both its not going to hurt to just give them both to her. If it was my child I would want a bunch of them. Its a cute shot. :)

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

09/28/2007 08:44:54 AM · #9

They are both a touch dark, but a great expression/ interaction.

I'd personally go with the one with the bear, compositionally the ear just 'appears' in the other cropped shot and the general softness/ lack of sharpness is going to be more pronounced in the cropped shot too, I'd suspect.

But if you've already printed both out, give them both. Very few people would complain about free prints...

09/28/2007 08:57:18 AM · #10

Thanks, people.....I'm just starting to get some professional interest in my work and I wanty to put my best foot forward.

Here's the bear cloned, pic softened and desaturated.....

[thumb]592627[/thumb]

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

09/28/2007 09:15:10 AM · #11

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

My feel looking between this one and the bear is that the colour, light and bear make the image. This one has had most of those elements removed. Its still pretty, but not the same shot.

TCGuru

Canon EOS-40D

09/28/2007 09:19:41 AM · #12

Jeb, her neck looks a little strange after you took out the bear... I suppose because her right shoulder is missing??

09/28/2007 09:40:18 AM · #13

Originally posted by TCGuru:

Jeb, her neck looks a little strange after you took out the bear... I suppose because her right shoulder is missing??

I think it's more because she's at a weird angle.....she's in a car seat.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

09/28/2007 09:46:15 AM · #14

Originally posted by Gordon:

Actually, after MUCH self-debate, I'm giving her the one with the bear.

The other one just doesn't seem to me to have the same feel.

eschelar

Canon EOS-7D

09/28/2007 09:56:19 AM · #15

PS. When shooting, use the histogram to evaluate exposure rather than eye. Same goes for processing.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve