Childrens portraits.

[Lightworks Imaging]

These environmental portraits were taken at the customers request for "something different than the usual school portrait" Shot with one 430EX on a stand w/ shoot thru umbrella. 50D and e EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS. I liked the moody sky but, I'm finding kids very difficult to shoot. I feel that I'm settling for the girls shot especially. The "up the nose" pose is causing me consternation. C&C requested. Thanks in advance.

[Robert_Lay]

Lighting in both pictures is nice and soft, and both shots are good.
The little girl has much the better pose - more relaxed and less formal and is the better of the two shots, in my opinion.

The boy has a line of silver-gray at the hairline that looks un-natural. It looks as if it might be an artifact from some post processing, but really cannot imagine what it is.

[phamster]

these should please the clients..

i think we the photographers are way more critical than the clients..

if you want C and C -the boy shot is just about 1/3 under exposed on my monitor, but if you shot in raw, easy fix..

as to the girl shot.. like the expression..

now if i worked with children.. i would have them sitting down..it is easier to get them in a more relaxed position.

also what would be fun is to do a brady bunch tic tak toe matrix and get 5 shots from the boy and 4 shots from the girl and put them all together into one frame.. just like a photoboth like output.. but in a 3 x 3 format..

i will do one of them with my next children shoot and post..

all in all i shoot about 50-80 shots per session and my keeper rate is about 1/6 i think.. so you are winning that ratio..

phamster

[Lightworks Imaging]

I'm not sure what that "silver-grey" defect is, but this is SOOC re-sized CR2 image, no post. As you can see, there's not much PP in this image. I wish I know how that came to be, but it's there so I will live with it.

[Lightworks Imaging]

Thanks guys, I AM very self critical. Lots of worry lack of confidence. New to the pro world, just threw out my shingle last month, still feeling my way. Pham, I'll try the tic-tac-toe matrix, sounds like the kind of fun thing parents like, especially the upscale ones that like lots of PP in their wedding images. Plenty of brides in these parts love that garbage... I'm pragmatic, probably not good for the creative side, but I like a little reality in my images!

[m33p33]

The flash you used in #2 looks like it was angled too low. Was it on camera? can you get it off camera and raise it so it is above your subject?

[Robert_Lay]

The flash you used in #2 looks like it was angled too low. Was it on camera? can you get it off camera and raise it so it is above your subject?

He did not use a flash.

[m33p33]

Shot with one 430EX on a stand w/ shoot thru umbrella.

In re-reading your post I answered my own question.

I would have raised the flash/strobe up a bit in #2

[Lightworks Imaging]

Yeah, I agree, especially the after noticing the position of the catch lights in her eyes. I ran out of height with the stand and kids being what they are and will do, don't exactly pose for indefinite periods! That said, I'd either get her lower on the slide, or raise the stand higher in the first place. Thanks Bob, that's one thing I'm apparently doing right, is using the flash correctly. NOT noticeable is one of my goals with my limited experience in flash photography.

[RandyMN]

I really like #2 even with the lower angle of the lighting. #1 makes me not feel comfortable since the subject has an uncomfortably forced smile.

[Lightworks Imaging]

Yeah, tell me about it. You should see the BAD ones. Turned out to be either this or a mug shot. Dad was pressuring the kid to smile and it worked, well, about like the shot in #1. Perhaps a Photomerge is in order, match the mouth of another shot with the lighting of this one? I don't know. In any case I'm thinking that I need to raise my prices.:lol:

[Robert_Lay]

Yeah, I agree, especially the after noticing the position of the catch lights in her eyes. I ran out of height with the stand and kids being what they are and will do, don't exactly pose for indefinite periods! That said, I'd either get her lower on the slide, or raise the stand higher in the first place. Thanks Bob, that's one thing I'm apparently doing right, is using the flash correctly. NOT noticeable is one of my goals with my limited experience in flash photography.
Now I'm confused:confused:

The EXIF data on your shots says that the "Flash did not fire". Never having used a separate flash unit, I don't understand how your setup controls the flash.

[phamster]

Now I'm confused:confused:

The EXIF data on your shots says that the "Flash did not fire". Never having used a separate flash unit, I don't understand how your setup controls the flash.

off camera flash will show up some times as not firing in the exif..

but infact there is flash.. just not corded nor ettled.. like pocket wizard new ones.. or radio poppers

[Robert_Lay]

off camera flash will show up some times as not firing in the exif..

but infact there is flash.. just not corded nor ettled.. like pocket wizard new ones.. or radio poppers
It's clear that I am living in the dark - must get some of these gadgets to try out.

[advaitin]

The silver streak is a natural occurrence on some buzz cuts with fair skinned kids and blondish hair.

Shooter need to work higher for sure. I used to tote a aluminum step ladder to some shoots so I could be at a higher angle. I would have wanted the sky out of the first shot--flash fill did OK but still lighter top of image is distracting from subject.

[Lightworks Imaging]

Huh, the step ladder thought is something I'd have never thought of for this type of shoot. Note to self. That would have saved the up the nose shot too! As far as the flash goes, manual 430EX, shoot-thru umbrella. I can only look at Radio Poppers in the catalogs! I use the CTR-301P's.

[robojack]

I agree, the step ladder is a VERY clever and sturdy makeshift lightstand. I would've never thought of that!

Tinner, the pictures are already looking fantastic.

[jasonstiller]

Great pics, im seeing the same thing I see in most kids that pose for pictures. Its hard for them to give a genuine smile when asked.

[advaitin]

Great pics, im seeing the same thing I see in most kids that pose for pictures. Its hard for them to give a genuine smile when asked.

It's kind of like catching trout by tickling them--an art form all its own. I can cris-cross my eyes, roll them up under my eyelids for a second and zip 'em back for the snap, assuming I have everything in place and pre-focused.

[DennisW1]

Yeah, tell me about it. You should see the BAD ones. Turned out to be either this or a mug shot. Dad was pressuring the kid to smile and it worked, well, about like the shot in #1. Perhaps a Photomerge is in order, match the mouth of another shot with the lighting of this one? I don't know. In any case I'm thinking that I need to raise my prices.:lol:

One very good reason for asking mom or dad, politely, to go get a cup of coffee, or just leave you and the child alone to work. Well-meaning parents are often much more of a distraction than they are a help. I was wondering about that when I saw the very forced expression on the boy's face.

Sometimes you just have to work with what you're given.

[advaitin]

One very good reason for asking mom or dad, politely, to go get a cup of coffee, or just leave you and the child alone to work. Well-meaning parents are often much more of a distraction than they are a help. I was wondering about that when I saw the very forced expression on the boy's face.

Sometimes you just have to work with what you're given.

You really can't tell parents to take a hike these days. Too many perverts and a whole lot of distrust. What you can do is ask them to stay out of the child's line of sight when you are working outdoors. A friend who has an indoor studio has it so parents can see the kids from a sitting area by a mirror, but if the kids are paying attention to the camera, they don't see the parents easily.

[HMetal]

Just my $.02. :)

I think the girl shot is better due to her relaxed, fun expression. I wouldn't worry too much about up the nose in this case as there is enough shadow there that you aren't really looking up her nostrils. The slide also creates nice leading lines that envelop her and the shirt/sweater she is wearing somewhat reinforces the shape of the slide..

The boy's expression is stiff and his smile looks forced.

I've never been a fan of forced smiles. It is all too easy to get kids to smile naturally. Just engage them in conversation about something that is fun and interesting to them and have them talk about it. Their recollection of it, eventually brings on a natural smile or at least a relaxed, cheerful expression.

[Lightworks Imaging]

It's kind of like catching trout by tickling them--an art form all it's own.

After I stopped laughing, I agreed completely. As for the 'forced' smile, even when this boy wasn't forcing it he looked rather, well, how do I politely say it, awkward? This is pretty good out of what I saw. At the "not-so-graceful" stage. Parents are a chore, simply put. The room off to the side idea is great, but in a public park, not much choice. I guess that you need to live with what you have often times, and learn from the efforts.

Thank all of you for the replies, I learn from you my mentors and peers.