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Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Color Studio Portrait (Advanced Editing II)
Collection: Favorites - Ribbons
Camera: Canon EOS-300D Rebel
Location: Easton, CT
Date: Jun 27, 2004
Aperture: f/1.8
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/50
Galleries: Emotive, Portraiture
Date Uploaded: Jun 27, 2004

This whole process was a comedy of errors. I waited too long, so the late sun didn't provide enough light for this window-only shot. I used a 50mm f/1.8 lens wide open, but had to employ negative exposure bias to keep the dress from getting blown out. After the kids were asleep, I remembered my fancy flash and diffuser (DOH!). The resulting photo was way too dark and took an enormous amount of levels and dodging and burning to rescue (I could have shot in RAW, but noooo...).

I was trying to get my daughter to look at me and smile- can't you tell? My wallpapered dining room backdrop wasn't quite tall enough, so I had to clone a bit above the head. Other post-processing: USM, crop and slight rotate, increased saturation, and just a touch of the sepia Photo Filter to warm up the white balance. I carefully desaturated everything but the ribbons, lips and rose (but not completely to grayscale), to get a very cool, vintage effect. Then I read the challenge description again (COLOR Studio Portrait). Start over.

In the end, I think this shot came out quite nice (I still like the vintage version better). I hope I'm not the only one who likes it!

Statistics
Place: 7 out of 92
Avg (all users): 7.0451
Avg (commenters): 8.2368
Avg (participants): 6.8000
Avg (non-participants): 7.1341
Views since voting: 3764
Views during voting: 416
Votes: 244
Comments: 50
Favorites: 10 (view)


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AuthorThread
07/12/2004 04:09:48 PM
This is a really beautiful portrait.

Im gonna have to favorite you because you never cease to make me smile. Love your humor. :) And your pics are nice too ;)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/07/2004 04:48:11 PM
Hi Shannon,

This was a simply stunning shot, and has all the quality of a professional studio portrait. The mood & emotion is perfect.

Shame you didn't get a ribbon on this one, but I am sure it's a Blue Ribbon in your heart and best be hanging on your wall!

Well Done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/06/2004 01:18:58 PM
You got a link to the vintage version? Very nice photo. I understand how hard it is to get the little ones to smile. grr... hehehehee...

You did good!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/05/2004 02:52:02 PM
I enjoy your story about this shot. Wonderful picture. I gave it a 10 and will give you more than that after reading the photographer's comment.

What i like most about this shot is the fact that she was not looking at you.She looks more innocent, shy and delicate. That expression goes well with your subdued lighting. Congratulations. You should place higher than me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/05/2004 12:34:17 AM
I'm glad she didn't smile at you, this shot is much more emotive and perfect. She will treasure this one when she's older.

Congrats on your highest score yet!

Deannda
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/05/2004 12:08:41 AM
Beautiful shot; congrats on your top ten! :o)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
07/04/2004 11:56:37 PM
A perfect, classic studio shot. The lighting, the pose, everything, perfect, a 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2004 10:09:32 PM
Id like to see more of her face (her eyes), but still a nice photo - 8 -
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2004 07:57:53 PM
Lighting: Good light from the right, but needs more from the left to balance and get rid of the dark shadows (particularly in the eyes and rose. The eyes are too dark without a catchlight.
Pose: Very cute pose, but she is leaning a bit too far forward for it to work I think. Cropping the chair just slightly forms lines that draw the eye out of the scene. In fact, I think it would be better with a much closer crop from all sides except the top.
Background: The background is distracting, particularly the molding running through her head.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2004 05:24:52 PM
Very lovely shot that doesn't look so "posed". Terrific work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2004 03:20:19 PM
Wonderful! I can look at this again and again.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2004 01:54:21 AM
AT first I thought that this was a high key approach to portraiture, but the more I look, the more I love the warm tones. The rose and her look at it is key here! Nice job!
TC
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/03/2004 04:39:17 AM
lovely pose, background, skin tones.....would have really liked to see a little more light on her face
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/02/2004 05:15:39 PM
Beautiful picture. Beautiful little girl. Maybe would've liked a bit more light on her face, though.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/01/2004 05:37:10 PM
Charming! Expert lighting and wonderful expression! To be critical, the pigtail on the right is unfortunately sharp and contrasty--spot editing might help diminish its intrusion to the composition.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/01/2004 01:41:28 PM
Nice subdued lighting. Like this pic a lot. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/01/2004 06:28:55 AM
I think this is a great photograph. OK let's play guess the camera...it seems to have that Canon 10D look to it, but I don't much about cameras or how to get a picture like this. It's really really nice though.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/30/2004 09:47:18 PM
Beautiful image. I love the almost-Victorian or maybe Italian renaissance feel of this photo. Lighting is excellent, focus and colors are good. Nice job! :o)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/30/2004 05:56:59 PM
Very good
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/30/2004 05:28:30 PM
Very nice but I wish there was a little more light on her face.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/30/2004 01:43:49 PM
lovely shot, but I wish I could see her face a little better; some light, not a lot, from her right would have shown her face and the rose better
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/30/2004 11:51:12 AM
I love this vey classic looking picture! Your little model is beautiful and meticulously made up. The chair and background give an antique look to the picture without being distracting, and I love the girl's gaze at the rose. Lighting is very good, but I think that a spot on the flower could bring out more detail and maybe a little less light on the floor. Other than that I love it. High mark.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/30/2004 11:12:07 AM
Lovely, just lovely!

  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/30/2004 01:23:53 AM
Wonderful! Almost looks like a beautiful victorian painting. Outstanding. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/29/2004 11:01:36 PM
tooo cute! Very nicely done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/29/2004 10:29:37 PM
You nailed it! This is what a good portrait should look like. The lighting is beautiful, flattering, and it doesn't look "staged" like some lighting set ups do. Her expression is wonderful and thoughtful. A solid 10!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/29/2004 10:19:22 PM
Exceptional model, lighting and composition. It has a very classic feel.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/29/2004 07:44:33 PM
Another beautiful shot, this girl will treasure this when she's older! Hang it over the mantle. Lighting is beautiful, the rose adds a touch of vibrant color. I love it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/29/2004 07:31:27 PM
this is great! I havent seen a shot like this in a while- i like the "old" feel..and the innocence of the girl.... good choice of clothing also. Maybe too tight of a crop?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/29/2004 06:05:15 PM
I like the rose and the white dress and shoes, found the background a bit distracting - 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/29/2004 04:27:15 PM
Reminds me of old-time oil painting; loss of a little highlight detail on the edge of the dress (at least on my monitor) is my only "complaint." I think it could have been even a little darker while maintaining the mood and detail. I think this was a good time to use a less-common full-figure portrait.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/29/2004 03:22:22 PM
this is soft and so pretty....I like the lighting....props....your little model is wonderful.......worthy of a 10 vote from me!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/29/2004 01:22:37 PM
My main complaint on this portrait is that she looks like she's slouching. And I'd prefer red hair ribbons to pink to match the rose. I've never thought pink and red look nice together.

Beautiful light. One of my higher rated photos. Nice job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/29/2004 05:39:29 AM
Very nice, whites aren't blown out. Lighting is good but could be better.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/29/2004 01:08:40 AM
Beautiful soft lighting! Adorable model! Probably one of my top three
The only thing I would change would be having her sit back a little more. It looks like she is slouching a little. Still, very well done! 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/28/2004 10:09:48 PM
I love the antique style. Great job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/28/2004 08:11:47 PM
Beautiful image! I love the crossed feet
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/28/2004 06:11:36 PM
Very sweet, classic, good composed shot. Not my top pick but worth (7)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/28/2004 05:19:52 PM
takes your breath away…
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/28/2004 05:03:35 PM
She is definitely a door bell! Nice shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/28/2004 05:01:15 PM
beautiful but a bit unnatural, like those 19th century paintings. But still a nice portrait.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/28/2004 04:32:05 PM
Very, very lovely. Your picture is my pick for a ribbon! I think if the ribbons in her hair and the rose were the same color it would make this portrait even more stunning.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/28/2004 03:25:50 PM
Perhaps a little dark in the shadows ... very nice scene ... cute girl
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/28/2004 01:45:29 PM
Lovely...this is a winner...beautifully natural.....nice low viewpoint to get down to the childs level...well lit and artfully composed. Brilliant.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/28/2004 12:44:00 PM
Nice shot

8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/28/2004 11:38:54 AM
This is an amazingly professional looking shot. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/28/2004 10:47:02 AM
9 with one small nit. I wish she was looking up a bit. Other then that small nit, this is just wonderful. Good luck and congrats....she is so cute.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/28/2004 02:26:58 AM
Too much make-up on the girl--not very subtle. The ribbons and the rose overwhelm her a bit. The rose is almost as big as her face. Next time, I suggest less fussy hair and make-up and a softer colored, smaller flowers more appropriate to the age and innocence of the child.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/28/2004 02:06:26 AM
Beautiful photo. Only thing I would change is just a teeny lil bit of light on the left, maybe from a reflector to just bring out a lil bit of the shadows. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/28/2004 01:14:29 AM
This is a beautiful, timeless photograph! Wonderful job. My only complaint is that her face is so shadowed. I like the bright side light, but a soft glow on her face would have made it perfect.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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