Playing with window light/shadows...your thoughts?

[memily]

I'd like to preface this by saying that I took these when I first got my camera and was still using "portrait" mode to shoot in because I hadn't learned how to start shooting in manual mode yet. It kept picking her hair as the focal point (so annoying), and I also didn't have time to mess with settings because my daughter moves quick and I wanted to catch the moment.

ANYWAY, I'm looking for some CC on these. Because of the shadows I think they look really nice in black and white, but I'd like to hear what people with more experience think. I'm certainly not an expert on b&w conversions so any advice on that would be greatly appreciated too.

Self criticism: She is mostly centered in these, so not very big on the rule of thirds here (hadn't quite learned that rule yet either), but because it goes from so light to so dark in the first 2 I kinda think it works--I could be VERY wrong though---what do I know?! Also, I wish I wasn't chopping off limbs but with her standing at the end of the couch, and me sitting on the edge of the couch, it was hard to get all of her. Also, I'm thinking maybe I need to tone down the window at the top right? Not sure.

Thanks!

1)

2)

3)

4) One with flash:

 

[indeedies]

I think you found a great subject and focused on her well! I think the B&W's have a potential. How are you converting your images? What software are you using and what's your technique? Right now I see grey and black and very little white. It appears you may have simply desaturated the image rather than creat a true B&W. I use LR 3 to edit my images and my technique for B&W's (which could be wrong but I like them) is to up the exposure a bit, add some blacks and finally up the contrast. I like mine with a bit more contrast though so please take what I say with a grain of salt ;-)

 

[tirediron]

I think #3 is the strongest; well focused, nicely lit, and an excellent monochrome conversion. 1 and 2 and well done conversions, but a little dark for my taste.

 

[kundalini]

Best camera positions are 2 & 3, best exposure is #3.

Unless the child has red hair and is named Chucky, I don't think deep shadows work on children.



disclaimer: I don't photograph children. In fact, I rarely look at childrens' photography....... so, what do I know?

 

[memily]

I think you found a great subject and focused on her well! I think the B&W's have a potential. How are you converting your images? What software are you using and what's your technique? Right now I see grey and black and very little white. It appears you may have simply desaturated the image rather than creat a true B&W. I use LR 3 to edit my images and my technique for B&W's (which could be wrong but I like them) is to up the exposure a bit, add some blacks and finally up the contrast. I like mine with a bit more contrast though so please take what I say with a grain of salt ;-)

Thanks! I am definitely guilty of hitting the desaturate button in PS and also for using iPhoto's black and white effect. I have Photoshop and Lightroom. I know a little but not a whole lot. I just ordered Scott Kelby's book on Photoshop--hopefully it will help.

I think #3 is the strongest; well focused, nicely lit, and an excellent monochrome conversion. 1 and 2 and well done conversions, but a little dark for my taste.

Thank you for taking the time to look and commenting--I appreciate it

 

[indeedies]

In LR there are actually B&W presets that can do some amazing things to images. If you feel they did too much you can always adjust the sliders as needed. My wife showed me that :lmao:

 

[memily]

Best camera positions are 2 & 3, best exposure is #3.Unless the child has red hair and is named Chucky, I don't think deep shadows work on children.disclaimer: I don't photograph children. In fact, I rarely look at childrens' photography....... so, what do I know?

Thanks for your critique! Wow it never occurred to me that these would be looked at as "dark." definitely good to know.

 

[shortpants]

Actually I love this kind of lighting on children but I don't do conventional baby photography, just documentary/lifestyle shots of my own spawn! I think the lighting through a window and onto the face is flattering. Personally I would just tweak your BW conversion and lighten the highlights a bit on her face, burn in around the edge of the window where it's blown out. Perhaps a crop just to throw her off from being right in the center, but overall I really like these. They're natural, but with a little bit of drama with the lighting. Again just something I'm fond of, not everyone feels the same way.

 

[memily]

Actually I love this kind of lighting on children but I don't do conventional baby photography, just documentary/lifestyle shots of my own spawn! I think the lighting through a window and onto the face is flattering. Personally I would just tweak your BW conversion and lighten the highlights a bit on her face, burn in around the edge of the window where it's blown out. Perhaps a crop just to throw her off from being right in the center, but overall I really like these. They're natural, but with a little bit of drama with the lighting. Again just something I'm fond of, not everyone feels the same way.

Thanks Shortpants! I'm not that great at editing but I am going to give your suggestions a try. I'm so glad that you like this kind of light and see it as flattering, because that's how I saw it too.

 

[kundalini]

Best camera positions are 2 & 3, best exposure is #3.Unless the child has red hair and is named Chucky, I don't think deep shadows work on children.disclaimer: I don't photograph children. In fact, I rarely look at childrens' photography....... so, what do I know?

Thanks for your critique! Wow it never occurred to me that these would be looked at as "dark." definitely good to know.

The reference to Chucky was a joke. Please read "I don't think deep shadows work on children" again.

You state it's okay, so with a tilt and a crop, I like this more better to my eyes.


......................ORIGINAL..................................................................CROP................

?

 

[memily]

Best camera positions are 2 & 3, best exposure is #3.Unless the child has red hair and is named Chucky, I don't think deep shadows work on children.disclaimer: I don't photograph children. In fact, I rarely look at childrens' photography....... so, what do I know?

Thanks for your critique! Wow it never occurred to me that these would be looked at as "dark." definitely good to know.

The reference to Chucky was a joke. Please read "I don't think deep shadows work on children" again.

You state it's okay, so with a tilt and a crop, I like this more better to my eyes.


......................ORIGINAL..................................................................CROP................

?

Oh I knew it was a joke lol no issues with that Ooooh yeah, I do like that. Thanks for giving me another perspective!

Since a few people weren't sure about the darkness for a child, I thought I would post the color versions--maybe that suits her better??