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I needed a shot of the girls for Grandma's Christmas present so I set up the SB800 with the LSPJII and Dome, off-camera with the SC29, placed a chair near a large window (right of frame) and strapped the 50mm/1.4 on the D70.

We have sand-coloured walls throughout the house and the only white background I could find were the sliding cupboard doors in my bedroom, so one of them became a very narrow backdrop. Even though it was white, it still picked up a slight tinge from the walls around it, an effect I actually don't mind and didn't attempt to alter. I would have liked to have included Emily's elbows but the edges of the cupboard door would have then been in shot. Your comments are very welcome.

Simon, I love the portrait, particularly because of the faces of the two young ladies. The fact that they aren't smiling lends a certain seriousness to the work which is very appealing.

I don't mind the missing elbows in this case. If I were being ultra-picky, it would be about the hot spots on the arms.

I think the background works reasonably well, although I think there is the slightest tinge of yellow on the girl at the back.

You have very attractive daughters.

Thanks Trevor - I agree about the reflected colour but it may have also come about as a result of my fiddling around with the colour balance trying to deepen the tones and warm things up.

The serious expressions were hard - little buggers kept giggling all the time watching Dad trip over tripod legs....

I like the gradient on the background, works for me. I might have tried with two doors and cloned out the divide in an editor as it would be better with the elbows (I think).

Beautiful girls you have there.

Simon,

Great work; these young ladies look wonderful in this image, and efforts you expended in getting the serious expressions were well justified.

I think you haqve a great colour balance set as well, and the gradient in the background works wonders.

Thanks Doug - I thought of using both doors at one stage....and then conveniently forgot about it. I reckon I'll be off to Spotlight soon to get some simple backdrop material. I really wanted a black background for these but didn't feel like braving the shops to go looking for stuff!

Thank you Gary. I suppose the best test is that they both really love it too! (Hope Grandma feels the same!)

But if it's for grannies Christmas present, wouldn't she like a smile?

Two other shots that will be mounted either side of this one have the girls smiling - so don't worry Matty, Grannie will get her smiles!

Here's a B&W version, slightly cropped to show only Emily's upper arms:

i think this is quite a smart portrait
it presents both girls in an engageing manner

i like smiles but sometimes a more serious look gives the image a certain depth allowing the viewer to look closer at and comtemplate over it

excellent work

great portrait of them both. I like the cropped B&W better.

however, I couldnt give a frown as a present (but that's just my opinion).

Oz_Beachside wrote:great portrait of them both. I like the cropped B&W better.

however, I couldnt give a frown as a present (but that's just my opinion).

I think that there's a difference between not smiling, as in this case, and frowning.

There's no scowl or frown here, just a more formal, serious look. I think it is cool.

Cheers Wendell, Oz and Trevor. I was trying more for "expressionless" than anything else. Ashleigh (the eldest) is pretty good with giving me what I want expression-wise but Emily sometimes needs more work. She couldn't quite get "serious" or "nonchalant" without laughing so we had to go with "slightly angry". I think I snapped her when she was about 80% there...

Hey Simon....lovely portrait and I just know that Grandma's gonna love it...

if the gradient background is really worrying you....in PScs2 click image....adjustments...levels and the little eyedropper on the far right then click the top of the background...that'll sort it for you...

Thanks Sue. I'd already played with the droppers in levels/curves but I actually quite like the graduated background anyway. My challenge now is to try to repeat it ...

very nice simon hope their granny enjoys the present

I actually LIKE that they're not smiling. It gives that wonderful detached air to it all. I took a little while to get used to it and then be able to appreciate this particular shot.

They're looking with very neutral expressions. You don't know what they're thinking or get any idea of what is going on around them. They're not looking vacant like a lot of model shots are.

Great shot Simon,

you certainly can pat yourself on the back for this one, very well done.

Cheers,

André

Thanks for the positive comments Wayne, Whiz and Andre. I think I fluked this one.

It's a great shot, really moody and stuff.

My only thought was that we're arty photographers, and we get it, we're into stuff like this.

I don't know what your mum is like Simon, but I know my mum-in-law would look at it (not appreciate the effort and attention to detail), and just say, "they're not smiling. why aren't they smiling? what are you doing to them?"

It's the same with good coffee ... but that's a rant that you don't want me to get started on ...

Very nicely executed, Simon. Love the B&W version!

Alex

For Matty and a few others who asked about the smiles, here's a quick mock-up of the final framed image that will be under Granny's tree:

I like it, well balanced!!! Much better so see the smiles of her grand children

Great photos Simon!

Wow! Here's an image that just jumped up 3 grades when you converted it to black & white! And a beautiful conversion it is! I much prefer the B&W however the colour one would look better if it was desaturated somewhat to give it that old photo look. Nice job!

Great shots Simon. They all look fine to me - including the B&W. That has a better crop too IMHO - just like the one in the final presentation.
All cool shots. Well done.
Cheers, Mick

I'm sure Grannie was wrapt with her present Simon, I'm sure that will take pride and place on her wall or mantle.

Success - Granny loved it!

MattK - I hadn't thought about the desat treatment but I reckon it will come up really well. I'll be looking into it once I finish taking the girls shopping at the sales today! (If I'm still in one piece, that is...)

Manta wrote: I'll be looking into it once I finish taking the girls shopping at the sales today! (If I'm still in one piece, that is...)

Your a brave brave man Simon, I salute you Maybe they can pick you up some more socks and undies

Manta wrote:once I finish taking the girls shopping at the sales today! (If I'm still in one piece, that is...)

Simon
Have you taken leave of your senses, or was this payment for the girls posing.

Great shots btw. It looks like the practice portrait work you did a few months back has paid off. Although I did not see those pratice shots.

I love the pose of the two girls and the use of the chair as a prop. The final combo must look great and it is good to hear Granny was pleased. Great work.

Craig

CraigVTR wrote:

Manta wrote:once I finish taking the girls shopping at the sales today! (If I'm still in one piece, that is...)

Simon
Have you taken leave of your senses, or was this payment for the girls posing?

Bit of both mate. I couldn't stand having them moping around the house with the money they got for Christmas burning a hole in their pockets!!