BlueBonnet Dance

[jdbulldog]

I have come to the realization that working with children without my wife present is tough. Parents are great but it is difficult to get the shots the way you want without someone with a working knowledge of posing.

Here are two pictures that remind me of what it is like to be young.

Enjoy.

JD

[markubig]

are these your children? they are sooo cute. IMHO, #2 could be enhanced a with a little increase in saturation and contrast and maybe a touch of USM? That's just me . . . i love the composition and subjects!!!

[jdbulldog]

These are two grandchildren of a friend of my wife's. My child is on the way (hopefully). I am in countdown mode for the next 8 weeks until my child arrives.

These shots were directly out of my camera. I didn't post process as I want to see how my new 17-40 L would perform on my 20D. All I did was downsize them and reduce the dpi to fit POTN requirements. (I am still working on my web gallery.)

Thanks for the comments.

[markubig]

I just took a quick stab at it in photoshop . . . i hope you don't mindhttp://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_redface.gifhttp://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_redface.gifhttp://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_redface.gif . . . i figured it could make an already awesome picture jump out. just say the word and I'll remove my attachment . . .

[jdbulldog]

No problem. USM at what settings? It looks like 80, 2.5, 2. How close am I?

[markubig]

I am in countdown mode for the next 8 weeks until my child arrives.
Good for you . . . i hope all goes well and you take lots of photos of your new little one!!!http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gifhttp://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gifhttp://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

[markubig]

No problem. USM at what settings? It looks like 80, 2.5, 2. How close am I?
not bad! 80, 1.0, 5

[jdbulldog]

Printing 98 pics tomorrow. Hope they come out this well. Thanks for the USM settings. I believe I will run an update and create another image to print with theses set points. I have the Velvia plugin I may also run on these as a trial. I down loaded it recently from Fred Miranda to see if I would like it. So far it makes the greens really, really pop.

Roger Cavannah's program also does well with this type of enhancement.

Thanks again.
JD

[SuzanneCarey]

I LOVE this location. I don't think we have bluebonnets where we live. Truly, that is an amazing spot. And these are some great pictures. I hope you dont' mind I took a stab at your picture too! :) I like the other version too. I really cranked it up in mine. Just fun to edit. Taking the pictures is the hard part, to me editing them is the fun part!





Suzanne

[TSEE]

Great photos, really awesome. Very pretty location as well.

[cfcRebel]

Awesome BlueBonnets(and the kids too)! I'm heading to Enchanted Rock this weekend. Maybe I'll stop by LBJ Wildflower Center too to catch some wildflowers and butterflies. This year the wildflowers are B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L! Hope the weather coorperates.

[jdbulldog]

Thanks for the complements. These pictures were taken in front of Frito Lay Headquartes in Plano, TX. The field is probably 200 yards by 150 yards and is filled with wonderful wildflowers. Frito Lay really does a great job with taking care of the area.

A cool website for Texas Wildflowers:

http://www.pbase.com/richo/txwildflowers2005

Great info and wonderful ideas.

Have fun.

JD

[Mills]

I really like the first one. It gives a wonderful sense of Freedom and Relaxation.

[mdm]

Super pics.

[skade]

Love the pics.. the first one is so sweet!

[MrChevy]

Nice shots J. Two cute kids. Love the flowers.

[Bruce Foreman]

I really like the first one. It gives a wonderful sense of Freedom and Relaxation.

He's got a super potential postcard or calendar shot in that one. But it needs a little midtone adjustment in levels to deepen midtones and make the greens and bluebonnet colors "pop". I just tried this and the result is amazing, then I deleted it off my hard drive.

And possibly recropped as a square (I'd suggest horizontal [landscape] if there was room) to get rid of all the extra vertical space.

I tried doing the same levels adjustment with the one of the two kids but that brought out some reflected color cast in the skin tones in the non highlight areas of the faces. Blue from the bluebonnets and green from the grass.

Bruce Foreman

[jdbulldog]

Bruce,

Took your advice.

How does this compare to the one you worked up?

J.D.

[Wavy C]

For some reason I'm liking the first (original) one best. Making the colours 'pop' also makes the picture look a little unreal. Soft looks best here.

[saltwater]

Lovely pics! Maybe Im being a perfectionist but that small brown pole above her head in the distance should go bye-bye. Liking the crop of it just above also