Posts tagged portrait
The Kids, Fall 2009
Nov 4th
I am indeed blessed to have three terrifically photogenic kids to use as subjects. The aforementioned terrifically photogenic kids are less thrilled by this prospect, but I am able to get some decent shots from them from time to time. I just have to skillfully weave bribery, coercion, and brilliantly constructed lies (“I swear, just another 120 shots…”) to get the shots I want. Here are some shots from the Fall Collection:
First up is Kara. Kara is 14, a freshman, and well on her way to becoming a heartbreaker. I’m locking her in her room until she turns 18:
Marshall, age 10, is the middle child. His hobbies are the trumpet, Pokemon, and channeling Hannibal Lecter when asked to pose for a picture:
Finally we have Bailey, age 9. He is all about soccer, baseball, football, and quasi-Beatles haircuts:
See? Terrifically photogenic.
Two Natural Light Portraits
Feb 21st
There is no better lighting than natural light. If you stay out of direct sunlight you are rewarded with the warmest, softest light that wraps around you subject in the most pleasing way. Here are two quick portraits I shot the other day using nothing but diffuse sunlight coming in through a window:
1/320 second @ f/2.2, ISO 200, focal length 50mm
1/160 second @ f/2.8, ISO 200, focal length 50mm
Self Portrait
Feb 21st
1/6 second @ f/4.0, ISO 200, focal length 82mm
This shot was taken in my bathroom using nothing but two florescent bulbs. I was trying out the low-light capabilities of my new 24-105mm f/4 L IS. Result? A super-sharp image, hand held, at 1/6 second. This is an awesome lens.
And yes, I smirk when I shoot.
Pensive
Feb 2nd
1/40 second at f/4.0, ISO 200, focal length 109mm
By all rights this image should not exist. This was a spur-of-the-moment shot. It was taken indoors, with oblique, late-afternoon light streaming through the window, and using shutter speed that was almost a third slower than my non-image-stabilized lens required. I had just walked indoors and hadn’t bothered to adjust my ISO when I saw Marshall staring out the window. He saw me raise the camera out of the corner of his eye and when he turned I grabbed the shot. Miraculously, I the resulting image was razor-sharp. Days like this it is better to be lucky than good.
