Practice for shoot...will these cut it?

[melissaandkris]

My nephew at 3 weeks. I got referred from a past shoot to do a baby from another family so Im practicing on my nephew. These are just a few I got while baby sitting.

Please let me know what you think about everything! Color, sharpness, coversions, etc...hold nothing back, I can take it!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/2883172039_4e03a1e700.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/2883171227_8dbe3eeab2.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2884007100_34e6d2edd0.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3012/2884038098_95f2283d6d.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/2884035030_863e2aa88a.jpg

[NSG40D]

IMO - your BW conversions are kid of flat

[melissaandkris]

IMO - your BW conversions are kid of flat

I always have trouble with conversions. Any tips on how to unflatten them?

[NSG40D]

These arent bad, but I tend to go for richer blacks and higher contrast. It is an image by image issue for me. A little contrast on the last two and the child will pop!!

[madalyn10207]

I like the last two. I agree about adding some contrast though!

[Captured Moments]

I would work on angles and perspective.

Instead of just shooting looking straight on at the baby, or doing the famous hospital pic where the baby looks like they are upright, embrace thei mushyness. Cuddle them up in a pillow or even pile of blankets (I use beanbags for my shoots). Get at all different angles. Get the clothes off of the baby (make the room very warm to make for more even toned skin, and a happier baby. Get on the ground and get every different angle and perspective you can with the baby.

Remember, when PP not to make it so the baby's head or body seems like it is tilting down. Always just rotate it slightly up, it makes the viewer more comfortable even if they don't know why.

Watch that double chin. I know it sounds very silly, but it makes a difference in how the baby will appear. They just look prettier and different angles that aren't squished in the face.

Also, use mom/dads arms, body as a backdrop and a poser for the baby too.

Have fun. Great job posting pics of your adorable new nephew!

[Padrino]

I always have trouble with conversions. Any tips on how to unflatten them?

Two. First one, using Photoshop, try to convert to B&W with Channel Mixer. Then click variations to get an old film look.
The other one, not for free but with incredible results, get a copy of Alien Skin Exposure 2 plug-in for PS. Try the fantastic conversion to Kodak Tri-X or to Ilford HP5. Is trully amazing.
Nice Shots! Keep sending them!!!

[kasper27f]

i like the last 3 needs more contrast though

[kasper27f]

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd38/kasper27f/2884038098_95f2283d6d3.jpg

[melissaandkris]

I would work on angles and perspective.

Instead of just shooting looking straight on at the baby, or doing the famous hospital pic where the baby looks like they are upright, embrace thei mushyness. Cuddle them up in a pillow or even pile of blankets (I use beanbags for my shoots). Get at all different angles. Get the clothes off of the baby (make the room very warm to make for more even toned skin, and a happier baby. Get on the ground and get every different angle and perspective you can with the baby.

Remember, when PP not to make it so the baby's head or body seems like it is tilting down. Always just rotate it slightly up, it makes the viewer more comfortable even if they don't know why.

Watch that double chin. I know it sounds very silly, but it makes a difference in how the baby will appear. They just look prettier and different angles that aren't squished in the face.

Also, use mom/dads arms, body as a backdrop and a poser for the baby too.

Have fun. Great job posting pics of your adorable new nephew!

Thanks! I do have some of him all squishy, I posted those last week I think. It was just me and him here so I did not have his parents here to use but will definitely to that for the paid shoot.

Two. First one, using Photoshop, try to convert to B&W with Channel Mixer. Then click variations to get an old film look.
The other one, not for free but with incredible results, get a copy of Alien Skin Exposure 2 plug-in for PS. Try the fantastic conversion to Kodak Tri-X or to Ilford HP5. Is trully amazing.
Nice Shots! Keep sending them!!!

I only have paint shop pro x2, any way to use those kinds of thing with that or on its own without photoshop? Hopefully if I start getting more shoots I can buy some different editing software.

i like the last 3 needs more contrast though

Thanks! Does this look better?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/2884335403_9653bf12ff.jpg

[jenirose3]

#3 is awesome. It's what I call the "money" shot!!!

I agree the conversions are a little flat. Play with contrast, levels, layers, etc. LAYER, LAYER, LAYER! In other words, do a duplicate layer for each and adjust each separately. When you're happy flatten.

[Padrino]

Hi, there! Well, I never had the chance to play with Paintshop Pro, but cheking Alien Skin's web site (www.alienskin.com) I found that Exposure 2 can be added to Paintshop Pro Photo XI, as you can see here:

http://www.alienskin.com/exposure/exposure_requirements.aspx

Its great to know that your images are giving you the chance to get money for them, let's hope this software helps you with your business. Cheers!!!!

[melissaandkris]

Hi, there! Well, I never had the chance to play with Paintshop Pro, but cheking Alien Skin's web site (www.alienskin.com (http://www.alienskin.com)) I found that Exposure 2 can be added to Paintshop Pro Photo XI, as you can see here:

http://www.alienskin.com/exposure/exposure_requirements.aspx

Its great to know that your images are giving you the chance to get money for them, let's hope this software helps you with your business. Cheers!!!!

Thanks Padrino, that looks like great stuff! I didn't know stuff like this would work with Paintshop. Isn't it great to get money for doing something fun! I wouldn't have thought I could make money when I bought my S5, just expected to learn with it and them move up. I would like an SLR in the future but for now I still have plenty to learn with the S5.