1st Photo Share - Go easy on me please... :)

[samoan_ridah]

Okay, here is my 1st attempt at taking a photo of my kids for Christmas. Comments, critique and suggestions are appreciated. I did a little PP to crop it and also did a little sharpening (still learning) and some adjustments to the color.

I shot in RAW but iPhoto does something weird when I edit it in PS so it converts it to JPG. Anyway, here it is...



http://www.flickr.com/photos/12242370@N02/3100562295/

[christyjo2]

Very nice especially for your 1st post. You have a beautiful family. keep up the good work.

[DigitalSpecialist]

I agree with Christy, you did very well.

[Corser1]

Very nice..... the main thing though that I notice is that when looking at the photo, the eye is drawn to your older children. It would be nice to show more of the baby.

[darosk]

A very nice shot! I agree with Corser1, would like to see just a little more of the baby

[KatiaShermanPhotography]

good for the first time! try not to cut arm off especialy at the elbow area. Main rule is never to cut limbs.
Also its nice when kids smiling but often you get fake smile. Make it more natural. Dont say smile for the camera. Inetad you can tell the boy to give big sister a hug or touch the baby gently. Its ok when people dont smile for the camera. Its way better to see REAL emotions and engaging than cheasy-cheese smile

[bobbyz]

Quite nice start. Besides the things mentioned, putting a little hair light (even with a reflector) would make it better on those dark hair.

BTW - The baby looks just like my 4 month old son.

[blondine]

well done! my only thing is also there should be a little more of the itsy baby.
beautiful children!

[samoan_ridah]

Wow, thanks for all the great suggestions and for the comments!

I agree about the baby not being in the picture too much. It's really tough with a 10 year gap between the 3 kids on posing them.

I so agree with the cheesy smiles but that is just the way my son smiles...lol. If I show you what he looks like when he's forcing it you would probably fall off your seat. His eyes slant upwards and his whole faces shifts, it's hysterical.

I like the suggestion of a hair light. I just ordered some equipment to take my flash off-camera and also ordered a stand to hold my reflector so we'll see if I can squeeze in a second shooting session before Christmas.

Thanks again all!

[Thomas Hopkins]

Originally Posted by Corser1

Very nice..... the main thing though that I notice is that when looking at the photo, the eye is drawn to your older children. It would be nice to show more of the baby.

whoa! I didn't see the baby until I went back to the picture after reading your post...

[Kristy]

Nice light in the eyes of the older children. They really sparkle.

Overall a nice image... It's difficult with babies because sometimes they get "lost" among large people. I always try to find a way to bring them up to at least a shoulder
level so they arent' forgotten. Easily done with adults, but with children holding a baby it can be more difficult.

What if you had your older daughter sitting almost sideways with the baby up on her shoulder and facing the camera... and then position the younger boy somewhere that would accomodate him nicely for framing?

I've put babies in a basket with older children.. and have them looking on. You could do that and pose them on top of a coffee table covered with a fuzzy fur type of fabric... and still have your tree in the background...

Here's a link to show what I'm thinking... something similar anyway..>?? Not sure.

http://www.ksnyderphoto.smugmug.com/...35_YDmtb-XL-LB

[frleal70]

Great shot. Lovely family. I like the expression in the little boy's face. The compo could use a little work, but overall nice work.

[Rhinotherunt]

Cute family!

[fgrant]

Anytime you upload, it will be converted to JPEG. fred