Beautiful Baby

[shutter_mom]

I was asked by a friend to take a portrait of her daughter for a beautiful baby contest. This was my first time working with a child, other than random shots I take of my kids. We went out in the country and found a nice cornfield and took a few shots, this one was the best, let me know what you think.

NIKON CoolPixL120
ISO 110
Aperture 3.2
Exposure 1/100

[mwatson]

For starters, she is a pretty baby. But unfortunately you blew out the picture. Her hair turned white and, it may just be my screen, but I cannot see a definition between her right leg and the blanket.

I get why you went with the f3.2 so you could have a shallow depth of field and the corn stalks behind her would make for a break blurred background. But your shutter speed was too slow for such a bright day. How far out in the country did you drive? Could you go back out sometime? If you could, try pulling a hay bail further away from the corn stalks and get the camera a little closer to her. That will help separate her from the background and give you that shallow depth of field you're looking for.

It is a cute idea to have her play with the husks. I also like the set up, but if you get to shoot it again, move her to the left of the viewfinder so she isn’t so centered.

I am assuming by the picture you shot in full manual, try shooting in AV mode. This will let you select your large aperture and the camera will take the light readings and adjust the shutter speed.

I really hopes this helps.

[shutter_mom]

I played around with the shadow tuning on the picture, but her hair is a really fine white/blonde color. The corn husks were the moms idea. We will probably go out again in a few weeks and try for a better background when the leaves start changing colors. We had a very small space to work with, and unfortunately had no choice to put the hay bail up aginst the corn. Ty for the positive feedback, this was my first attempt at a posed picture.

[Swanner Photography]

I agree, its over exposed. I would try later in the day and also a faster shutter speed.

Looks like a pretty neat place to photogrpah kids.

[shutter_mom]

I am still learning, but for a first try I dont think its all that bad, the mom was very pleased. Going to practice on my kids more when the leaves start changing. Thnx for the advice everyone.

[ccting]

Dear "Mom",

For correct colors and correct brightness:

1) If you are using Microsoft windows, click Start->Run->type "mspaint" then press ENTER.

2) Edit colors: R=108, G=108, B=108 (explanation RGB is color model that is being used for luminated output like monitors, TV etc that emits light via electron guns for instance) so that it is equivalent to 18% of grey in substractive color model (that is in print, painting etc). Click fill with color to paint the whole page, and then print it out on a white paper that does not have strong reflection.

3) Use your camera setup settings, find exposure, PRESET, then shoot at the paper, as close as possible but don't block any light fall on that paper. Focus on the piece of paper again, lock the exposure using your camera. Adjust the exposure indicator to neutral, then try to give another shoot of your child. I am sure, your white balance and exposure will be much better.


Note: In case you are blur with what i am saying, type "White balance PRESET + grey card" in google, find video about it - for correct colors; For correct brightness (exposure), type "exposure + grey card", find video (assuming you have DSLR). In case you are using compact camera, type your camera model + white balance in google ..find video.



Greek's harmony concept:
Many thousands years ago, Greeks has defined a concept so called "Golden section" which promotes the ratio 1: 1.61 (with complex calculation). That's to say, divide the whole frame into 1: 1:61 which is almost 1/3 over 2/3, which today is well-known as "rule of third". Placing the object you interest at right 1/3 will be the most harmoniest if
you ignore other balance factors(not left). Why not left but right, the simple reason is we read from left to right, and we want viewers to scan from left to right. I surely dun want them to leave our picture when they saw baby on 1/3 left. We want them to leave only at 2/3 (right), and they will spend more times looking at our pictures. The more time we spend at viewing your pictures, the more success your picture is.

First, draw 3 lines vertical, dividing your whole picture into 3 equal sections. "Place" your baby with the 3rd vertical line (count from left) into half. Focus on eyes, then shoot.

Well, I think you have place the horizontal line (ground) at 1/3 third following the harmony concept, very correctly.

Posting: I love your baby's pose, look professional ;D. It looks like 45 degree to body plane. WOW, Even there is significant gap between arms and torsu.. really very great posing like a small model.. Again, I notice the legs & hands are facing towards the right bottom corner forming (diagonal lines), which is extremely great...

Color: Again, back to hundreds years ago, painters construct color harmony. In your case, your baby does not look good in color. The warm colors "pop up" while the "cold" colors "pop in". If possible, switch colors between two and you will get much better results.

Move the camera closer?: You do not need to move camera closer as there are no other distractive objects around. The whole background are identical, and that form beautiful lines and patterns (leaves & grass). Very great line and color composition (composition means arrangement). Just ensure that, the 1/3 horizontal line (from top) cut across both eyes.

Pattern & lines: Excellent leaves and grass contributes to more story. Just the color relationship issue.. ;D

Camera height: I love the low shoot, at baby's perspective. Try shoot high too, shoot low shoot high, shoot left, shoot right.

Overall: Very excellent image that meets a lot of composition criteria, except the position, color, exposure and some.. They could be corrected using software, making them ok.
a) Change color using software or simply change the clothes to warmer color compared to background.
b) Change your baby position to 2/3 by cropping (ignore balancing, learn rule of third first..)
c) Exposure and color just the technical issue, not a big deal. They could be corrected using software, at certain level.
etc.


"comment you comment me"
;D

[shutter_mom]

Ty, will keep that all in mind when I start in on my kids picture next month.

[dmann]

It's a very nice picture. I agree with it being blown out but I also noticed the focus is off? Could be my screen or eyes though.

How do you focus? I am just learning too and have been using manual AF point selection, it is great to use because you get to decide where the cameras focus is.

Not sure if this was mentioned but I would lower your aperture (to a higher f stop number) and use a faster shutter speed to start. I believe by lowering your fstop number your camera won't take in as much light and the faster shutter speed is not letting too much light in. I am just learning so if any can correct me or elaborate that would be great.

[ccting]

Turn off IS / VR if shutter speed over 1/500, i believe, for better sharper effects. Only if you able to that more than 1/500.. ;D with fast len. Plus a flash (if your super camera supports flash sync over 1/500). My D5100 only support up to 1/200 haha. When you speed up the shutter, look at the exposure indicator, if you have any or look via your electronic viewfinder to see whether it is completely dark..

Lower aperture for the background texture, nice idea..... but..
turning f3.2 to f5.6, for example, will be 3 times darker, and very unlikely you could speed up the shutter further more..

Manual focus? I believe if you have CPU lens, then with proper settings, you able to find focus indicator in your viewfinder or sound indicator. Once beep or indicated by viewfinder, you stop rotating the focus ring, and shoot. The questions are: How long you take to focus ? How frequent the child will move? How accurate the focus indicator? The remain questions in my mind..

Faster shutter speed or slower, must depend on the lighting condition that that moment, indicated by your camera exposure indicator.. Learn about your camera exposure indicator. If you are not sure about "how is" overexpose or underexpose, then you should look at the camera photo histogram. A proper mountain that covers most of the part usually a good exposure. If the graph (mountain) bias to left side, then underexpose (decrease shutter speed or decrease f-number or both). Otherwise do the opposie. You need to trust your exposure indicator a bit, histogram more. If your histogram cannot be trusted, then use white balance card for WB and exposure. I believe the Vigneting effects does affect the exposure.

Where to place focus on eyes for sharpness, I believe you need study the manufacturer MTF curve for best result, then crop if needed using software for composition.. Lets say, you have great distortion that you cannot correct using software, then you have to take it at center, for no distortion and best sharpness of eyes. Then crop using software. Rule of third then apply for post-production and not in-camera. This is particulary true for portrait. My baby has longer ear if i place him according rule of third (in-camera) during low-light where the aperture 3.5 is the only choice. 3.5 is only available at 18mm. haha. So, my babies look very funny in shape. Thin model looks fat with short focal length. haha. 24mm at 35mm = 38.4 on cannon 1.6 crop factor DX.==> thin girl becomes fat girl. Fat girl becomes extreme fat when distance is near to full fill the frame.

Well i am just a newbie.. forgive me if i am lying. Anyway, I love your fast len that I don't have one. :___(

Rule is just a rule, and they have assumptions to be met so they work correctly. Following blindly, then we become blind. Currently, I am blind..

[shutter_mom]

All excellent offers of advice, and I will take them all in when I take my fall pictures. The posing of my model was completely by accident, she did that herself lol. My camera is not a DLSR like most people have, just a bigger fancier version of a point and shoot. I shared everyones comments with the parents and even though the picture isnt as good as it could be, the parents and their respective families were very well pleased with the outcome, enough to the point that I have been reserved to do a family photo shoot with the rest of their kids next month when the leaves start to change. I thank everyone for their comments and advice. This is a great forum, I have learned alot and yet still have alot to learn.