Victor

[Wildieswife]

Whilst I have time to post another. Work will start again soon.

This is my little Grandson who is 18 months old. I saw him being born and I help to look after him when his Mum and Dad's work shifts don't fit in - which is quite frequently. He's adorable....... Well I think so.




Pat

[Dusty]

Adorable! I agree!

Dusty

[sury]

I love the expression on his face.

I am curious to know how the lighting is achieved. It is quite
dramatic, especially being a black and white.

With best regards,
Sury

[Wildieswife]

Thanks Dusty - I'm glad we agree

Suri - in answer to your question here goes.....

My other half and I devise alsorts of homemade tailored stuff to help with photography. Some time ago (Spring 12 I think) I put a post on that included an image of my husband's hyper macro studio - much of which we had built. It's since been revised and updated and is much better.

Now - If I weren't using a speed light/bounce flash etc I used to diffuse the on board flash with tissue or anything that was handy in my pocket. Now I've made a little attachment using 'Soft Frost' and I can slip this down, at varying angles, to introduce a little more fill flash to an image. I never like using full on flash if there's light there anyway and I try to set the camera on manual so I can take advantage of the natural light which was, on this occasion, from nearby window.

Photography is the science of light. I am by no means whatsoever, scientific by nature but I do like photography as an art and I like to experiment to see what effects the light has with the equipment/tools. After a time you get a 'feel' for a camera or a lens. So far I'm not as at home with my A77 as I was with the A700.

Pat

[sury]

Pat,
Thank you for the detailed explanation. What I thought was exactly opposite of what you did.
I was wondering how you got that bright light from a flash so even in shape. It is other way around.
You used the natural light to light up the forehead and the subdued diffused light to light up the rest
of the image. I am glad I asked. As a rule I seldom use direct flash as well. I learned that long time ago.
Facial tissue is my favorite handy "poor man's" diffuser.

With best regards,
Sury

[Wildieswife]

Pat,
Thank you for the detailed explanation. What I thought was exactly opposite of what you did.
I was wondering how you got that bright light from a flash so even in shape. It is other way around.
You used the natural light to light up the forehead and the subdued diffused light to light up the rest
of the image. I am glad I asked. As a rule I seldom use direct flash as well. I learned that long time ago.
Facial tissue is my favorite handy "poor man's" diffuser.

With best regards,
Sury

You were right the first time , Suri! I didn't explain well? There was light from the window but I also dropped the top of the 'soft frost' (doesn't fall apart like tissue) to introduce more light over the eyes. I wanted to emphasise those big eyes and the long eyelashes like his Dad's

Pat

[sury]

Pat,
It was not your explanation but my interpretation that is to blame. It was I who made those conclusive inferences.
It is the synergistic use of natural light and diffused flash. I did learn about how you composed the image.
Once again, thank you for your patience and I certainly have learned a thing or two about using light and composition too.

With best regards,
Sury

[mikehawthorne]

I am impressed with the simplicity of this photo, I showed It to my wife she was impressed also, the eyes of the child are full of wonder and so make the image . a really lovely photo.

mike hawthorne

[Wildieswife]

I am impressed with the simplicity of this photo, I showed It to my wife she was impressed also, the eyes of the child are full of wonder and so make the image . a really lovely photo.

mike hawthorne

Thankyou, Mike. I often think what a shame it is when that innocent, wide eyed look gradually disappears the older they get!

Pat

[aster]

Hi Pat,

I find that the natural light helps produce the most captivating child shots. The light works nicely with the innocent, curious eyes of Victor. He's already a very beautiful boy but the photo caught a fine moment of expression.

Thanks for sharing,

Yildiz