Sunset portrait

[Preston]

These are my close friends who are expecting their first child, so they asked me if I could take some shots of them throughout the pregnancy. I chose this spot near my home for this first photoshoot. Here is one of my favorite pictures of the shoot. Please let me know what you think. Thanks!




Larger size is HERE

[geotography]

Hi Preston,

I grew up on those beaches. So, this photo moves me in nostalgic ways. Your photo is a charmer and quite creative. My first curiosity was if centered subjects was the best...after giving it some thought, I felt it was quite strong with this layout. What is your Exif.

[Preston]

thanks for the comment.

here is the exif

Nikon D70
RAW (12-bit)
Image Size: Large (2000 x 3008)
Lens: 18-70mm F/3.5-4.5 G
Focal Length: 18mm
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern
1/800 sec - F/8
Exposure Comp.: 0 EV
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Optimize Image: Custom
White Balance: Auto
AF Mode: AF-S
Flash Sync Mode:
Flash Mode:
Auto Flash Comp:
Color Mode: Mode II (Adobe RGB)
Tone Comp.: Normal
Hue Adjustment: 0°
Saturation: Normal
Sharpening: Normal
Image Comment:
Long Exposure NR: Off

[Firemaine]

I think it's a great shot and like it a lot. I like the way you got the halo effect and the way there necks make a heart shape.
However the one thing that I do find that is distracting and pulls my eyes away from the couple is the parasailer in the back ground. You might think about cloning it out.

[pooks]

beautiful shot and a wonderful moment. It is wonderful that they have a friend like you to capture their memories like this.

[Aperthetic]

This is a beautiful shot, idea, and execution. Wonderful work.. I'm sure they'll love it! I would also recommend cloning out the parasailer. In addition, though, I suggest cloning out some of the debris on the beach or blurring it in some way. It is very distracting.

Excellent shot!

[ELAY]

Hey Preston --

I think your friends will be very pleased with this shot -- it captures a mood very nicely. I quite like the light patterns in the sea at their feet, I think you did a remarkable job of placing the sun where you did.

If you are looking for more technical feedback, I think that you have a bit too much sun in this shot, and maybe in the wrong spot. Shooting into the sun is very hard -- and I have read that the Nikon sensor in the D70 (which I think is the same as on my D40, see here) doesn't handle very bright light that well. You have a bit of a halo where the really bright parts drop off (though maybe you can get rid of that with some tweaking of the raw output).

If I were doing it, I might try an alternate set up when the sun was a bit lower, in the torso area of your subjects, for comparison. That way you still get your silhouette, but have less direct light spilling onto your sensor. I also have to say that although I think it was a technical coup, I can't decide if I like the effect of the sun beaming out from between your subjects' faces.

Last thoughts -- I might experiment with darkening the couple a bit toward a more pure silhouette, and there is something on the right just above the horizon (parasail?) that you could clone out easily enough.

EL

[JerInTheBox]

On first glance I love it. The sky tones are nice, the cropping, the light glistening off the sand...it's all good.

On second glance though, the sun thing starts to creep me out. But in a good way I guess, it just makes them seem a little bit...alien.

Nonetheless, really cool shot.