X-mas card shoot

[Big Mike]

These little boys belong to my Wife's cousin. I'm just putting together some sample cards to show them, so they can decide on a final design for their Christmas card.

To shoot these, I went to their house and brought my one Alien Bee light, along with the rest of my gear & props. The little boy is sitting in somthing called a 'Bumbo' seat. I'm actually thinking of getting on for myself...not to sit in but for all the babies I plan to photograph. It nicely props up a child, as soon as they are strong enough to hold their own head up.

Any comments welcome.

#1.

#2.

#3.

 

[Corry]

Aawww...they're so cute in their little jammies and hats! I like the second two the best....something with the first one...the placement of the stockings maybe...is off to me.

 

[Big Mike]

Thanks Cory.

There is something off about the 1st one. I like the photo...they way they are both leaning over...but ya, the stockings seem a bit awkward. If they like the stockings...I may try them with one of the other images. I have about 10 keepers from the the shoot, for them to choose from.

 

[n2photos]

Oh how cute!!
LOVE LOVE THE JAMMIES!!!!
I think #3 is my favorite!

 

[Puscas]

Oh man, the last one! With that dog...:lmao::lmao:... he's saying 'do I HAVE to be in this picture?'..(or: 'will this be on the internet?')..that's hilarious!! I'm all for funny, so that would be my choice.
Nice work Big Mike!





pascal

 

[Andie]

Great pics! I like #2 and #3 best. They look so sweet together in #2.

The seat is a great idea! Found them at Target online if anyone else thinks they are a great idea...

http://www.target.com/gp/search.html/ref=sr_bx_1/601-1034070-6003345?field-keywords=bumba&url=index%3Dtarget

 

[oldnavy170]

I like all three of them. That little baby is just the cutest thing!!!! I want to squeeze his little cheeks!!!!!

 

[zombiekilla]

I love em!!!! 3 is my fave!!!

 

[Mole]

I like #2 its a great picture, but #3 is my favorite. Its the pug that finished it off for me, but then again I have two myself so im kind of bias.

 

[Big Mike]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

 

[Arch]

i like 2 and 3 best here mike... think what i would do tho is slightly change the blending of the cloth.... it takes more time, but by using a more gradual blend with the brushes, gives a better effect i think...
Just by lowering the opacity of the brushes makes a nice gradual effect... you can also duplicate the layer and change that opacity....layer masking out the rest.... i usually do a mixture of both methods on any design work i do to get the best blend....
Great idea :thumbup:

 

[Big Mike]

Thanks Arch,

Ya, blending the drop cloth was probably the last thing I did...and I didn't take as much time as I should have. I spent most of my editing time working on the background...which was terrible.

I hung a white sheet (on their big screen TV) and the kits were right up against it. To whiten it up, and kill the shadows...I used a slaved flash as a BG light...but because the kids were so close, the light was from the side...and gave way too much texture to the sheet (we couldn't get it very flat). I ended up having to blow out the background in post...and clone out the bits of the slave flash that could be seen.

 

[Michael Humle]

My vote is for #2...It appears to be more personable to me. All photos are great!

 

[JimmyJaceyMom]

OH! I need a smiley that's laying on the floor kicking his arms and legs having a tantrum! I want my camera NOW! WAAAAAAAHHHHHH!
It;s the pics like those that make me really anxious. Those are adorable

 

[ShootHoops]

Adorable. The last one is my favorite.