Xmas card photos of my daughter

memily · Nov 17, 2014

Hello All,

Just wanted to share a few photos I took of my daughter over the weekend. I bought a super cheap studio setup and used it in my garage -- which I now regret -- but even though I struggled to make it work I'm still pleasantly surprised with how it all turned out.

My own critiques: I struggled with the lighting....a lot. The spur-of-the-moment-cheap continuous setup I bought wasn't very powerful and didn't allow for much control (totally my fault for not researching). This was my first time attempting a studio setup and I struggled with shadows and getting the paper to photograph bright white for quite a while. After tons of test shots and adjustments I was able to get a nice set like the ones below. I definitely ended up cutting off some limbs, and in other photos, like our family photo (not included here), I should've used a smaller aperture. At times I could've benefited from a faster shutter speed as well. I struggled so long to get the light the way I envisioned that once I had the light and the settings in the camera right I just shot that way the whole time.

Here are a few of my favs, let me know what you all think

1)

IMG_7502 by megan.dias, on Flickr

2)

IMG_7488 by megan.dias, on Flickr

3)

IMG_7740-2 by megan.dias, on Flickr

4)

IMG_7544 by megan.dias, on Flickr

5)

IMG_7501-2 by megan.dias, on Flickr

Designer · Nov 17, 2014

#1 is pretty good, but the bear is huge!
#2 the light is a little bit too low and the one ornament is a distraction
#3 is good
#4 I think you go the lighting and post jus tabour perfect, but the model should have eye contact.
#5 Very cute, but probably only for the grandparents.

memily · Nov 17, 2014

Designer said:
#1 is pretty good, but the bear is huge!
#2 the light is a little bit too low and the one ornament is a distraction
#3 is good
#4 I think you go the lighting and post jus tabour perfect, but the model should have eye contact.
#5 Very cute, but probably only for the grandparents.

Thanks for the feedback!

Designer · Nov 17, 2014

Oh, sorry about the typos in #2.

Tabe · Nov 17, 2014

For me, the photos all feel too white. Almost like they're overexposed, even though they're not. Maybe it's that the white background is REALLY bright or something.

I like the photos overall. Cute daughter, fun photos.

memily · Nov 17, 2014

Tabe said:
For me, the photos all feel too white. Almost like they're overexposed, even though they're not. Maybe it's that the white background is REALLY bright or something.

I like the photos overall. Cute daughter, fun photos.

Thanks! Not all of the photos are this bright, but this is exactly the look I wanted. I wanted it super bright white but maybe it's a turn off to others? Some of my other shots (not posted) are slightly off white or slightly gray. The paper itself is off white or cream white but I lit it up to whiten it.

BillM · Nov 17, 2014

I'd go with #3 but maybe clone out the flake on the end of her nose ???

Derrel · Nov 18, 2014

These turned out pretty well!!! She is just soo cute! I like the set you built, with the little "Charlie Brown" type of tree, with its single Christmas ball! I like photos 1,2,3,4, and 5.

LilyBee · Nov 18, 2014

I like em

Actinia · Nov 18, 2014

I like #4, even without the eye contact.

memily · Nov 18, 2014

Derrel said:
These turned out pretty well!!! She is just soo cute! I like the set you built, with the little "Charlie Brown" type of tree, with its single Christmas ball! I like photos 1,2,3,4, and 5.

Thanks Derrel!!! The tree had two bulbs (she was blocking one) and shortly after that I had her decorate it and have a couple of shots I like from that as well. Thanks for the feedback

Actinia said:
I like #4, even without the eye contact.

Thank you, I do too! I asked her to look down on purpose -- to me it's precious looking but I understand how opinions might vary on this.

bribrius · Nov 18, 2014

like them but not such a fan of the white background...

Rick50 · Nov 18, 2014

Like 'em and no complaints. Fun family type portraits.

memily · Nov 18, 2014

bribrius said:
like them but not such a fan of the white background...

Thanks for the feedback. Out of curiosity, what type of background would you prefer to see? Outdoors, another color, a scenic/patterned backdrop?

I didn't know what to do honestly. I bought white specifically for xmas and having never used backdrops before I wasn't sure I wanted to order one with a design, but I agree that I probably wouldn't use this bright white on any other occasion.

Tabe · Nov 18, 2014

memily said:
Thanks for the feedback. Out of curiosity, what type of background would you prefer to see? Outdoors, another color, a scenic/patterned backdrop?

In my case, I have no artistic sense, so I can't tell you what would be better, can only tell you when something doesn't quite work for me. Very helpful, I know

What I do like is that it's only the background that's overly white and not your daughter. My facebook feed is overrun with photos from portrait photographers who think white people should be ghostly white and wildly overexposed. Uh...no.