CZ 16-80mm- Eligible Portrait Lens?

[aster]

Hi,

Do you use your CZ 16-80mm for standard portraits? How satisfied are you?

I shot a couple of candids of our neighbour's grandsons who are twins that are not identical while I was shooting flowers last week. I like the skin tones in the photo because the kids have exactly that texture. But it was only a 'try and see' kind of thing.

These are the sample shots. One of the twins decided to make faces...no, he's not angry or unhappy.

I'd be happy if you took a critical look at the photos. And please feel free to add your samples to show how the lens turned out for your portraits.

Thanks
Yildiz

[Dr. Harout]

Yildiz, IMO the third shot is much better. I think shooting kids from their own level (height) would be better.
Unfortunately I do not have the CZ 16-80 so can't be of much help on this one.

[aster]

Hi Dr. Harout,

Much as I do not fully understand the need to always photograph kids at their own level I suppose that's because of the odd agle of view that distorts the child's overall look. This time though, it was not my own idea but his request to look up at the lens and change his expression. He definitely rejected being photographed when I attempted to kneel and told me to stand up (my little director!) while his younger twin stood there shyly smiling.

It was fun for me being with a child trying his creativity.

I appreciate the pointer though, I'll think about this and even try with different angles to see how it defines the scene with a child subject.

Thanks

Yildiz

[KevinBarrett]

I was going to make the comment Dr. H made. However, in shooting downward you made very good use of the textures in the backgrounds, and wouldn't have been able to do so if you were shooting level with them. I especially like the third where the cool colors are used in the subject and the background.

[aster]

I was going to make the comment Dr. H made. However, in shooting downward you made very good use of the textures in the backgrounds, and wouldn't have been able to do so if you were shooting level with them. I especially like the third where the cool colors are used in the subject and the background.

Thanks for the remarks Kevin,

With kids around 2-3 years of age, it's all about what they want to look like, where they want to stand, which 'face' they wish impose on the photographer and going creative. They are very fast while in action and they also change their minds real fast going from one pose and mood to the other. It certainly isn't exactly what the person holding the camera to decide for them when going for candids! But...yes, but that's how I prefer them anyway. I don't like 'frozen' kids much...

I'd be happy to see your photos of kids, especially those that break all accepted rules to date about shooting kids.

Yildiz

[KevinBarrett]

From a baby shower I shot for a coworker. Both with the Minolta 70-210/4.



From a bluebonnet photo shoot for a coworker and his family. The conditions were less than optimal (3:30 pm, 30mph winds), but I was working with his schedule. Most of the colors in that shoot were too brilliant to use, so I converted this one to B&W.

[KevinBarrett]

My nephew. From my Maxxum 5 about two years ago. Shooting down.

[Javelin]

in those really bright conditions wher the colours seem to take a picture over or make them very busy would ND filters help so you could use wider apertures? I think you got some good shots there anyway even with the conditions

[aster]

Kevin;

I like them all for different reasons.

I like vivid colours and good, natural skin texture, and the first one offers those. (lens doing a good job)
I like a vibrant child who is creative and self-entertaining and a photo that captures a special moment that defies gravity as in second photo.
I like mystic; the wind and light conditions served well in the third photo.
I like the last one where your nephew looks as though musing with your efforts.

Thanks..especially for breaking rules.

Consequently, I really don't believe that there is any rule to shooting kids, that would be undermining creative approaches.

Yildiz

[KevinBarrett]

Thanks Aster, Javelin. I've had a plague of free informal photo shoots at work since I offered up my services to my coworkers...it was a move to attract some paying gigs and gather portfolio material and it's actually begun to work.

Regarding the use of large apertures in bright daylight; I never learned not to do it, especially with my beercan. The a700/f56 can usually deal with it by using ISO-100 and HSS, and I like the bokeh too darn much.

[Dr. Harout]

Nice shots, Kevin. I like them.

[KevinBarrett]

Yildiz, why did you remove your pictures? They were good!

[aster]

Yildiz, why did you remove your pictures? They were good!

Hi Kevin,

I removed them because I feel responsible for uploading their photos as they are kids however anonymous they may appear to others around the world. I uploaded them to ask for your professional and photographic views in general but it was always at the back of my mind to remove them after a reasonable time.

It's only a precaution. Naturally I value and trust everyone of you in this forum because you're all very sensitive when it comes to kid issues, hence the reason for my submissions but I do not trust how ill-intentioned people may decide to use them if they came by these photos; online child porne, online child abuse and all online matters where children's photos are abusively used. This may come as unnecessary to many of you but I feel better for removing them after a reasonable time.

When I find 100 years old guys to photograph, I promise I'll keep them online forever!

Thanks,
Yildiz

[Mark K]

I found the 16-80 a perfect standard lens to go with, if not only for portrait. Since I have availability of other options...I seldom use if for kid's portrait coz in that sense, any of the 50/1.4 or 85/1.4 will do a better job

[aster]

I found the 16-80 a perfect standard lens to go with, if not only for portrait. Since I have availability of other options...I seldom use if for kid's portrait coz in that sense, any of the 50/1.4 or 85/1.4 will do a better job

I had only the CZ 16-80mm on the camera when the kids came along and joined the scene Mark, hence the question I felt I should ask.
Kids definitely require a fast lens as one of those you suggested above. But I still was happy with the speed that day even when the clouds provided little useful light. And I may go for a zoom in the future instead of a prime, because I love zooming in onto the subject or try various compositions while primes may make this difficult.

Yildiz