First Child shoot!!

[jmtc]

This was the first "child shoot" I have ever tried. It was done on my dining room table with two canon 580 exII flashes. One with a soft box and the other shot through a diffusion panel. I used a black background to soak up any stray light. The whole shoot took about 10 minutes and it was manic but great fun! In Photoshop I brightened the catch lights in the eyes and cropped it to a jaunty angle. I was happy with the outcome.
What do people think?

14385

[mingkywingky]

Hi jmtc, I'm not a studio expert, but I've tried it once and I know that it's not easy. I even had a professional setting the lighting at that time;)
I think I'm gonna take the studio lighting course someday, but not this time, since the equipments are no cheap:D
For your first child shoot, I think you did well. I like her expression, and look at those eyes! I wish that you would share more picture of her, and the exif data too:D
Thank you for sharing these:)

[jmtc]

Thanks for the comment. There is another Photo I hop you like. It was taken with the same lighting set up. My camera set up was with my Canon EOS 1D MkII, with a canon 80 mm portrait lense. Again there was very little done in Photoshop, I cleaned up the eyes a bit and burned and doged a bit of sparkle in them, again picked a crop with another jaunty angle. Seems to be a theme going on here!! Oh, and mum insisted on a change of clothes! I thought that only happened when they hit 12! Hummmm.

[Kaye]

Hi jmtc, I have no experience in studio shots or lighting, but would just like to say that they are both gorgeous shots.
I love the expression in 1, but IMO No. 2 is the better shot as far as sharpness, detail and softer lighting.

[jmtc]

Hi Kaye
Thanks for the lovely comments, much appreciated. I'm glad you like my photo's. It was great fun, but a bit scary as well. I hope to do some more if I can find another victim.

[jmtc]

Hi Kaye
I have had a look at your flickr page and I loved the photo's. Can I ask you how you achieved the border around the water lilies which has the photo running through it. I loved this effect. Thanks
Jim

[Kaye]

Hi Jim,
Thank you very much for your kind comment on my Flickr shots.
I initially wondered which one you meant first, but think you mean the shot below.
This is done with the Pic_in_Pic Action. I can email it to you if you like. Just send me a PM with your email address and I will fwd to you.
Not sure if you know how to run an Action, but it is not difficult. Should work with most Photoshop versions. Not sure about other editing software.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5683410163_c638615450_m.jpg

[jmtc]

Hi Kaye
not sure how to send a personal message via this site so I will give you my email publicly
Revjimclarke@yahoo.co.uk
Thanks for sharing this info with me, I love the effect!
Cheers
Jim

[Kaye]

Hi Jim,
You are most welcome. I will email you the action.

If you wish to send someone a Private Message, just go to the top left of the page and click on "Private Messages" in the dark blue strip.
When the new page comes up, click on "Send New Message" on the left. Then add the user name of the member.

[mingkywingky]

Thanks for the comment. There is another Photo I hop you like. It was taken with the same lighting set up. My camera set up was with my Canon EOS 1D MkII, with a canon 80 mm portrait lense. Again there was very little done in Photoshop, I cleaned up the eyes a bit and burned and doged a bit of sparkle in them, again picked a crop with another jaunty angle. Seems to be a theme going on here!! Oh, and mum insisted on a change of clothes! I thought that only happened when they hit 12! Hummmm.

Hi Jim,
I'm sorry I missed to reply this. Thanks for sharing more picture of her. I like it. How adorable she is. She seems more relax in no1. Did her mum hold her up on no2?
Thanks Jim.

[jmtc]

Hi Tenny
Thanks for the kind comments.
No mum did not hold her up. The photo was taken with the child in an upright position then I simply used the photoshop to give her a jaunty slant, which at the time I preferred. Glad you like the shots,
Jim

[jmtc]

Hi Tenny
Thanks for the kind comments.
No mum was not holding the child, she was sitting on a cushion in an upright position. I used photoshop to give her the jaunty angle.
Thanks again
Jim

[nikkie]

May I add my 2 cents worth as far as lighting goes and studio work goes I am in no way an excerpt but I know what I like and what I see great expressions on the child she has the most amazing blue eyes but I see a little light coming maybe from flash on her eyes but not too bad and this could be fixed I am thinking. I feel IMO you cropped a little close to the top of her head I feel a little more space here would have been a nicer to see but I am not a people photographer far from it. Also I love the black background I feel it compliments her fair complexion
I think you got the details nice and sharp as well I am sure her mum would be excited to have these