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12/19/2004 04:45:05 PM · #1 |
A friend of mine wanted to save money, so she asked me to attempt to take photos of her son that look sort of professional. She wanted to put a wallet size in all her Holiday Cards. I told her ahead of time, I have a ways to go before I could take a photo that looks professional. She told me to just try, something was better than nothing. After 56 shots and a crying baby (He was very patient for the most part), this is the one she picked, not my favorite but she seemed to really like it. Now you guys, tell me what you really think and also let me know what I could have done to make it better.
Thanks
Xmas Picture
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12/19/2004 04:53:21 PM · #2 |
I like the interest you've created in terms of background and the way that the colours of tree and decoration are echoed in the chair and his clothing.
His skin is a little red (probably from crying earlier?) - wonder if you could tone it down in Photoshop? And I'd personally prefer it without the Oscar (or whichever character) half head - especially since it is only half. It draws my eyes down away from the main subject.
But I think it's a nice picture.
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12/19/2004 04:55:07 PM · #3 |
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12/19/2004 04:55:24 PM · #4 |
Thank you Kavey, I perfer the little Sesame Guy out of it to. But his mom wanted a friend with him ;-) The blotches he woke up like that. I wonder if I could get them out with the clone tool? Thank you for responding :-)
Originally posted by Kavey:
I like the interest you've created in terms of background and the way that the colours of tree and decoration are echoed in the chair and his clothing.
His skin is a little red (probably from crying earlier?) - wonder if you could tone it down in Photoshop? And I'd personally prefer it without the Oscar (or whichever character) half head - especially since it is only half. It draws my eyes down away from the main subject.
But I think it's a nice picture. |
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12/19/2004 05:14:24 PM · #5 |
A little over exposed. On board flash? If so they usually don't work well for portraits. The catch light in the eye is dead center. It looks more natural when it's not in the pupil. If you have access to an off camera flash you could bounce the light or fire from above. I agree the toy seems a little out of place. Perhaps a more wide open aperture would also help, or moving the child further away from the tree, as the background is very busy and pulls attention away from the child.
Edit: I just pulled it into Photoshop and used the shadow/highlight tool and if you decrease the highlight intensity and increase highlight tonal width it seems to improve the photo.
Message edited by author 2004-12-19 17:21:22. |
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12/19/2004 05:17:17 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Karalew:
The blotches he woke up like that. I wonder if I could get them out with the clone tool? |
You could clone them or also try the healing brush. It's perfect for skin issues. |
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12/19/2004 05:19:04 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Konador:
It's Elmo Kavey, duh ;) |
Oh yeah, I remember now.
I couldn't find any wedding cake figurines that I felt fitted me and Pete who was then very tall, very skinny and white (two still apply) and I (short, brown, plump) so...
I went to a toy store and got a short plump blue sesame street toy and a tall thin red one and the cake maker put a veil on the short one and a top hat on the tall one and voila!
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12/19/2004 05:48:25 PM · #8 |
Maybe try the Blending brush before trying to clone out the pink and pimples of the cheeks. I pulled it into Digital Image Pro and the cheeks blended nicely. Also there are a couple of hot spots near the corner of the mouth that you could blend with a flesh color. Digital Image Pro (10) has a White balance Slider (In elements it is probably Color Warmth???) I increased that to 5700 and it seemed to warm the flesh colors (most likely same effect as TechnoShroom).
Onboard flash is a tough one to work with, if I have to use it in a pinch I will hold a sheet of white paper in front of it at angle (possible get some bouce of the ceiling) when it take the shot. It will be warm enough to light the subject at that distance. Clear coffee can lids or pringles can lids work in a pinch as well and it will really soften the flash for you. Hold it close to the flash but don't cover any important stuff like Focus assist et el.
ED: Typos
Message edited by author 2004-12-19 17:49:52. |
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12/19/2004 06:17:46 PM · #9 |
| An off camera light source would make a world of difference in this situation. I think the onboard flash kept your picture from looking its best. You need a softer light source, and it needs to be much further from the camera than the flash is. A bright lamp or two set nearby out of the frame would do nicely. Make sure to use a tripod, as the lamps may not be bright enough to get a fast exposure. |
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