Sophie in high key.

[John 2]

My niece wanted to see if her daughter might attract some child modelling work and asked me to put together a portfolio. I thought that I would put a mono into the mix and came up with this. I'm not totally happy because the selection around her hair could be cleaner but it was difficult (blonde on a light BG). None the less, I quite liked the finished image anyway. As always, CCs welcome.

Nikon D7000
18-200mm Nikkor @ 62mm
1/100th sec @f4.8 ISO 400

SOPHIE

[Mike Buckley]

I can surely appreciate why she might get some great modeling work.

There is something about your treatment of her eyes, possibly the combination of her eyes and skin, that makes me think this is a doll rather than a person. Sorry that I can't suggest what to do differently.

[Geoff F]

Maybe try a slightly different angle by moving the camera more to the right so those eyes aren't staring straight back at you.

[rpcrowe]

Great high-key presentation. Far too many photographers think that high-key means over exposed and washed out. However for effective high key, you need a small area of darkness (such as the eyes) to accentuate the light areas...

[John 2]

...............However for effective high key, you need a small area of darkness (such as the eyes) to accentuate the light areas...

That's as I have always understood it Richard. Having her looking straight at the camera was deliberate Geoff. I used the image on the cover of the portfolio but I can see why it would not always be appropriate for say a family record.

[pnodrog]

Hi John I like the face and eyes and you are already aware that the hair selection could do with improvement. The only thing I would prefer for this high key treatment is that she was wearing a light top as I think the dark jumper is a bit to dominant and cannot be vignetted or faded out properly.

[John 2]

....The only thing I would prefer for this high key treatment is that she was wearing a light top as I think the dark jumper is a bit to dominant and cannot be vignetted or faded out properly.

Thanks for the comment LP. Can't argue with that. You're right but I guess that's the problem with deciding on the treatment after the event.

[jacobsmith]

FIrst of all , i like your niece and she has beautiful eyes and hairs that i like the most. So your high key point is her eyes and hair because both attracts to much.

[blakemcguire]

To make the selection easier you could make another layer and make the yellows darker, then it might be easier to get the selection right against the background. Great portrait overall.

[John 2]

Thanks Jacob, thanks Blake. Blake that is a good thought. I made the image before I became conversant with layers and I can see how your suggestion would work.