Fathers - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

12/30/2002 01:53:52 PM · #1

Has anyone heard of this book? FATHERS by J.Gerard Smith
I got it for Christmas. I love it. Here are some of my pictures that I tried to mimic of his. What do you think? I was going to put one of them in the b/w portrait challenge, but didn't think people would like the bare skin.
f/d 1
f/d 2
f/d 3
f/d 4

f/d 5

or go to this one to look at the whole gallery at once.
Gallery

I could use some help on the lighting, so if you have any critiques. Please don't be afraid to speak your mind.
Thanks
Sonja

Message edited by author 2002-12-30 13:54:20.

welcher

Canon EOS-5D

12/30/2002 02:00:59 PM · #2

What a coincidence! I was working on a shot very, very similar to yours last night, but my little one just wouldn't cooperate. Saw a neat shot on the cover of B&W Photography magazine that I was gonna try and emulate.

It was a bit more Anne Gedde-ish, with a sleeping baby resting his head on a father's bare chest.

Just found the photo available on the net:

Message edited by author 2002-12-30 14:03:27.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

12/30/2002 02:05:16 PM · #3

That is so precious. I need to get that magezine. Thank you for sharing that.

welcher

Canon EOS-5D

12/30/2002 02:09:43 PM · #4

Yeah, that is a super shot. Both your daughter and my son are a bit too old to get that kind of shot, I found. First, their skin isn't quite as wrinkly, and second, their torso is so long that to get all of the baby in, you'd either have to get some of the father's face, or some of his unmentionables! (And I saw how well photos of men's unmentionables did on here last week!)

As for the lighting, trying to get this photo sealed the deal for me: I'm going to invest in some kind of photographer's lighting rig. I have no idea what I need or what's out there, so I'm doing the research now.

12/30/2002 02:40:17 PM · #5

Here is a great sight.
click here
If you browes through the tuturials you find lighting stuff. I am planning on getting some too. When my husband gets the garage fixed up with a heater. It will be my studio. I am excited. Good luck on finding what you need.

Canon EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM

12/30/2002 03:32:19 PM · #6

I could sure use some help here!!!!
How am I going to get better if no one helps, because they are afraid of hurting my feelings or just don't care. This is frustrating. I need help with the lighting and how can I make it look clear and crisp and not be so grainy??

boyte1

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

12/30/2002 03:41:22 PM · #7

Sonya:
Father Daughter 4 is a 10 all the way. I wouldnt change a thing. As far as help all I can offer is to use a really good tripod for sharpness. It makes a world of difference. Keep up the good work. Your daughter will find these photos very valuable one day.

LindaLee

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

12/30/2002 03:45:47 PM · #8

Sonya: I can't help you much with lighting, I need too much help myself!!

But.. I LOVE Father and Daughter 3 - I just love the way they are looking at each other; it's such a beautiful shot.

tjuneau13

Fujifilm FinePix S602Z

12/30/2002 03:45:55 PM · #9

In #3 and 4 the lighting on your husbands shoulder is a bit harsh leaving the skin tones looking a bit unnatural - perhaps if it was moved a bit more to the back it would give a softer look?

Did you do any processing to the shots? That might people to know what you have already done with the pictures - or are these straight from the camera?

rll07

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

12/30/2002 04:01:22 PM · #10

I really like your shots I liked 4 the best but agree that his white shoulder/arm detracts a bit, very hard to control with lighting or post processing without washing out the baby's beautiful skin,,,sooo
I cropped it out and thought it turned out okay here it is I think I still like the orginal best
dad4cropped

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

12/30/2002 04:13:08 PM · #11

Sonya, those are awesome. I would love to try something like that with my little boy, but he has a tendancy to "spray" when left without his diaper for more than a minute or two!!! :-)

12/30/2002 07:13:06 PM · #12

Thanks all for your comments.

I took the photo in color with a 5oo watt light w/ a defuser about 6 feet away. No other light was used. I had a black backdrop. I switched it to b/w in my program. Sharpened it just a bit. That is it. I did try a softer light, but the picture would come out really grainy then. Is it my camera or me? I would really like to try this again, but with more "know how"on the lighting. I am after the low lighting b/w look. With the lighting coming from one angle. I don't want it to look grainy.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

12/30/2002 07:14:16 PM · #13

karmat, My little one did have an accident. It was not to bad since she is a girl. lol

Natasha

Nikon D50

12/30/2002 11:23:51 PM · #14

They are soooo gorgeous! I especially like #2, it looks really natural. 5 is lovely too, but feel that the crop is a bit too tight on your husbands face, maybe a little more space would help that one.

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

12/30/2002 11:27:16 PM · #15

Thanks rllO7, for the cropping suggestion. I do like it. I just need to figure out another way to use the light to make it not so bright but to light it enough so the picture isn't grainy

magnetic9999

Canon EOS-20D

12/31/2002 07:51:44 AM · #16

GRAININESS:

If you can, set your camera to the lowest ISO # you have.

Use a wide aperature (low number) to get your shutter speed as fast as possible.

What were your settings?

Thanks

jimmsp

Canon EOS-60D

Tamron SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD for Nikon

12/31/2002 09:24:09 AM · #17

My Favorite is # 5. The looks from each other are great. As for lighting, it looks like you needed a 2nd source from the left side to get a little more light on the baby's face.
I'm well past the father stage into the new grandfather stage. I'm now shooting my new grandson. I haven't tried anything formal yet, but as he approaches a month, its time to start. His "snapshots" are posted at //www.pbase.com/jimmsp/evan .I appreciate your lighting questions, as I've faced the same thing. I probably need to invest some $$ soon.

12/31/2002 11:30:51 AM · #18

Mag, my shutter speed was 1/30 and my aperture was 1:20. the zoom was 7mm. I am going to have to read my instruction book to see if I have ISO in my camera. Or is it an abriveation(sp)?

Jimmsp, I have the coolest book. I think you should get it if your looking for ideas. It is called Fathers. I mentioned it at the top of the forum. It cost me 10:00 dollars. I think you will like it. You could also go to the book store and look at the photography books. I wish I had thought of picture like these when my baby was that little. Your grandson is cute and Wow, has lots of hair. Have fun with that little guy.