Lovely 14-year-old

[Sachis2112]

I chose this process because, in the SOOC image, she was just glowing and also the pink bangs sort of demand something a wee bit on the extreme side (to fit her personality).

So tell me, what would you have done differently? Composition? PP?



Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT
Exposure: 0.025 sec (1/40)
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 200

[barrettfb]

It's always a little tricky shooting someone wearing glasses I think. You did a good job of capturing her eyes in this picture.

If I were shooting her, I'd have her standing at a little bit of an angle, instead of just "flat" behind the tree. I would have also had one of her hands in view, preferably on the tree.

Hope this helps.

[mmjk84]

Nice natural framing of the subject using the tree, along with eyes focused through the glasses. I would've have had her tilt her head, smile (maybe), and her hands grabbing the sides as if she were to climb through??? I don't know, but overall nice pic

[Sachis2112]

All great tips! Thank you!

And now a questions. This kid sort of has this stance... sort of stiff and straight. What you see here is usually how she smiles. So, if I ask her to give me a big smile and stand in a manner that's a bit contrary to her norm... Still a good plan?

I wonder about this all the time because I see senior portraits where the child is contorted into a position that they never would have come up with on their own. I know my own senior portraits (granted it was a long time ago) have me sitting and holding my arms in positions that are just freakin' bizarre.

Yes, I realize I'm not asking her to do MUCH, just a small tilt of the head and such. I'm just thinking for future reference for different subjects.

[mmjk84]

Try a different scenery or theme. Obviously you know your subject with her being your daughter as well, judging from what you say about her, I would definitely try a different theme. I would pick a very not too bright, but kind of a gloomy setting such as railroad tracks, bleachers, and maybe a pier. As for her outfit, tell her to where whatever is comfortable. And since she doesn't have a great smile "yet" or the confidence, I would suggest trying to doing side shots, 45 degree head turn, or do some close head shots and do some creativity with her facial expressions along with shooting color and then convert them black and white. It'll be fun to shoot different themes, and B&W can do a lot not for portraits in general but the for the subject as well.

Happy Shooting~

[Sachis2112]

Awesome suggestions. I would like to do some dark and moody for her too. This shot was definitely for her mother's vision of her.

I wish she was my daughter; she's a wonderful kid. But alas, I must settle for being her mom's friend rather than a relative.