This assignment was a bit different than the others have been. There was no assigned reading and most of the class example links were dead. To compensate for this, I spent about two hours surfing the internet for window-light portraits and took notes of the qualities of the best ones. I also spent a morning reading about 6 different photo tip blogs on window-light portraits, and natural lighting, then I watched about five different videos on youTube. Once I felt like the same information was repeating itself, I decided I was ready to practice.
Here is are the assignment comments from the professor:
Find someone you know, love and trust. This can be a child, spouse, best friend, parent... you get the idea. Take them by window light. Watch the light on the face, wait for an open, truthful expression and create a simple but beautiful portrait. (No flash!). Use a piece of white cardboard, a sheet or other white object to reflect light back into the shadow side of the face. Take your time... there's no rush.
Don't make your subject smile, just relaxed and truthful.
Tips... No direct sunlight, simple background, quiet expression... take your time.
For your work to be good in this assignment, I am looking for a simple, true, honest and direct portrait... it doesn't get better than that.
I practiced by shooting myself and my dog, and when I thought I was ready, I put the word out on Facebook to my friends. My dear friend Beth offered up her clan as my subjects. Even though I can pick out a number of flaws in the best of the best images, I'm still pretty thrilled with the results. And I had a blast hanging out with the kids!
Rather than picking my best two, I'm going to pick the best one of each child.
Starting with the eldest, Arianna:
I tried not to make the kids do anything at all, just positioned them where I thought the light fit the parameters of the assignment. Then I just chatted with them while I took photos. The prof had said not to make them smile, but I caught this moment when Arianna was just smiling naturally. It's such a natural lovely expression on her face, I felt it really made the shot.
Xen is next.
I had a really hard time choosing between these shots, but I think the light is best in this one. I used a reflector here. Initially I made the mistake of sitting them in front of the light source so it was behind them rather than illuminating them, but the reflector saved those shots and I learned my lesson. Duh.
Now for baby Oliver.
Although I would have chosen another one of my shots as my "favorite" of Oliver, this one, I think, best demonstrates the objectives of the assignment. Although I wish I'd framed it differently, the frank, truthful expression is just so nailed in this shot. And this boy's big round eyes...my word, the cuteness.
One thing the professor stressed that just didn't work out for me was "not rushing." Kids, especially little ones, move around a lot. You've got to be quick to catch them. Focus and depth of field and making sure the background is perfect...yeah, challenging with a tot on the move, heck challenging with an 8-year old who loves goofing around and making funny faces too! Anyway, the rest are below with notes on why they aren't exactly perfect.
Slight depth of field issues here. Both eyes should be in crystal clear focus and barring that, the closer eye should at least be the one that is sharp. Not perfect, but still a beautiful shot.
Not enough time to grab the reflector here and I'm not 100% sharp, but I love the golden glow and the expression on his face, so it's still one of the best of the lot.
I seriously almost picked this one as the best of Oliver. However, the light is really behind him, he's tickled because of the reflector. Depth of field issues on this one, but at least it's the far eye that's out of focus. Despite it's flaws, I love this shot!
I love the beam of light coming down over his eye, although I really should have turned him more to the light. I also like the amount of shadow in this shot. Not the crispest focus though.
Again, focus wasn't perfect (though pretty close), most of the light is from the reflector, I should have turned him a bit more...but the look on his face is PRICELESS!
Perfect light, crisp focus, natural expression...I'm not sure why I didn't pick this one as the best, I think it's an emotional reaction. This one is near to technical perfection, but the sweet smile on the other shot just gets you in the heart.
Not sure how I'd grade myself here. I see the things I did wrong too acutely, but then again, they are some of the best portraits I've ever taken so...B+?
Awesome job Teri! A solid B+ if not an A. You picked the perfect shots for your first choice of each child. (Though I do like that third shot of Xen too. You say it's out of focus, but I can't tell it from here.) And in the ones you didn't pick, you know where the flaws are.
ReplyDeleteYou don't need me on this one.
Cute kids too!