Christmas
Uploaded: December 02, 2005 07:04:45
Nikon D70 on ISO 200, Sigma 24-70mm @ f8; SB-800 flash off-camera in softbox, SB-600 slave in softbox for fill, SB-600 slave above for hair light; gold reflector below for warmth.
I took the shot for the two gals' parents' Christmas card, as well as doubling as a formal portrait. First time I used the Speedlights for such a cause.
The set is in a floral gallery, where a friend let me use anything I wanted as a prop. So, I taped a black velvet cloth to the wall, pulled some flowers from the window, and put them on a plastic garden pedestal. The fabric I draped over the chair. That the subjects showed up in such complimentary colors delighted me! They were wonderful, too - posed any way I asked. Their mom said Grape-flavored Bubblicious was the prize if they cooperated. I must remember this....
Milan Banik December 02, 2005
cute and beautiful work. #353161Brinn MacDougall December 02, 2005
This is really first-class photography, Christopher..beautiful! #2145341Sandy Landon December 02, 2005
Very beautiful shot!!!! #2145363C. Appoldt December 02, 2005
Thanks everyone - I'm glad you like! I'm a little concerned about the girls' faces - perhaps I could have dropped the key light's output a smidge, their cheeks look "hot."Do the colors work ok? #2145406
Donna K. Kilcher December 02, 2005
Beautiful #2145459Jon Kolstad December 02, 2005
Very beautifully well done portrait! I've been trying some portraits recently and haven't even come close. Thanks for sharing the setup Christopher. #2145471Gary Lange December 02, 2005
Outstanding work here Christopher! Beautiful portrait of these chaildren. Wonder wht would work for stubborn adult...Michelob? lol. Anyway, great portrait! #2145479C. Appoldt December 02, 2005
Thanks too to the rest! Jon, glad describing the setup helped. It's been all trial and error, here. I moved the lights about three times during the shoot.Too, I did some burning on the edges to "vignette," but that's really about it aside from sharpening, a little more saturation, and a slight curves adjustment in PS. #2145557
Stephanie Laird December 02, 2005
Christopher this is wonderful photo! #2146075Megan p December 02, 2005
This is so beautiful and elegant Christopher, love the lighting, I love the dark shadows too. #2146593Darla C. Sammons December 02, 2005
Chris, What a timeless true portrait. Love the poses and sisterly love that you captured. Darla #2146596Janine Russell December 03, 2005
Christopher, wonderful Christmas portrait. #2149627Karen Diaz December 22, 2005
Too cute and simply adorable Xmas portrait!!:) #2212936C. Appoldt December 22, 2005
Thanks , everyone! Karen, the girls' folks loved the shot, and I printed it on canvas at 16"x20" - really nice end-product. If I took a lot of Xmas portraits of kids, I'd say this is the one I'm most proud of - but I don't, so I'm really content! #2213006Megan p January 21, 2006
Congratulations Christopher on a truly beauiful portrait!! #2313664C. Appoldt January 21, 2006
Thanks, Megan, and everyone. Wow - my first nomination....exciting! #2314231Jill Flynn January 22, 2006
Congratulations again Chris! Way to go this month! #2323263C. Appoldt January 22, 2006
Thanks Jill! #2324054Nicole Kessel January 22, 2006
Beautiful Chris, Congratulations! #2324265Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
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