Two child portraits from 2017

[ionian]

Here are a couple of recent portraits of my daughter - I'm still working on various elements of my technique. Excuse the very different images in one single thread.

1.


Taken in the studio with a gridded and socked beauty dish. I really like the definition in the cheeks - I like the way her smile dominates. Looking at the shadow under her lip, I could have lowered the light a couple of inches, and in hindsight I wish I had adjusted her t-shirt slightly.


2.


Natural light and shallow depth of field - source was a large window off-camera left. I increased the exposure to give her skin a really light quality. I like the textures and soft colours. I think she looks great in this one.

For both - her hair is in her eyes, she is growing out a fringe and it's impossible to keep it tidy at her age!

For info I shot both with my EM-1, jpg and edited with Snapseed. Why jpg? Well, I'm trying to get it right in camera and the Olympus jpegs are excellent.

Comments and crit welcome.

[madcrow]

That's a beautiful little girl you have. You captured her beauty and personality in your images. I am not a BW fan but the first one is outstanding.

[Shadowman]

Nice captures.

[Werner]

As for #2: I like it. Great expression, nice colours, Bokeh and lighting.

In #1 the light on the girl's face is too harsh and frontal which makes your models face
appear kind of flat. Otherwise a really nice shot.

[ionian]

Thanks for the comments - most appreciated.

For the first one I was trying to recreate a lighting set up I had seen on YouTube by Joel Grimes - I think it is a fraction too bright and that's why it looks flat. There is definition there, in the cheeks and around the jaw, but perhaps I needed a half stop less light.

I'm not sure it's the most flattering light source for a toddler - it will be much better with an adult with good facial structure - but she's the only one that will sit for me, and even then I have to bribe her with cake and games!

[bnnrcn]

Your daughter is beautiful Simon I find the light too harsh on both images but I really like #2. Lovely colors and bokeh , also I like the composition and expression. Reducing the highlights on her collar and on her face might help.