portrait of my niece

[robw25]

this is sian my 17 yr old niece taken in my small granny flat out the back with my lighting set up... at last !

using the tips i got from gary who took the lighting seminar in the anniversay weekend in august

cheers rob

[BBJ]

Rob, mate very nice picture must have been some size as took awhile for it to load up so i gatheryou didn't rezize it. Ok the hair light maybe a bit bright but what would i know, but hey mate looks very nice and i would not complain. Well done mate. Have a good 1.

[Sheetshooter]

Well executed and directed portrait Rob,

Congratulations. If anything the 3/4 backlight is about a stop or so too strong - either back it off a couple of feet, reduce power or palce an ND filter over the front would be a step in the right direction.

Cheers,

[robw25]

thanks for the comments guys, the hair light is a slave flash so i cant regulate the power, so a tissue might be used next time or as sheetshooter said, move it back

cheers rob

[leek]

Nice shot Rob... You've given me some ideas for a family portrait I have to do tomorrow...
Apart from the light, you might want to pick some smaller flowers as well I find them a little distracting... but that's just me...

That's a good Welsh name your niece has... I'm glad that mini-Leek isn't the only one in Australia

[Matt. K]

Rob
Leek hit the nail on the head. Nice image but much smaller bunch of flowers would be better.

[robw25]

have noted suggestions and will try them out today on my willing model
( which is hard to find ! )

cheers rob

[avkomp]

nice but the three things I feel would improve this

I feel the flowers are way too big. this was my initial reaction when I saw this and didnt get around to commenting. Today I notice this has been noted already.
you dont have all of them in the shot anyhow so and you to be way less intimate with the portrait.
smaller flowers means you can come closer.

The hair light could be toned down. looks blown on my monitor . diffused or moved further away. maybe even a coloured gel?

Perhaps a little less light on the background also to make her stand out.

Still a pleasing portrait of an attractive young woman


Steve

[robw25]

thanks for the replies i have taken a few more and taken into account the overdone hair lights and big flowers, comments welcome

the first pic is bronwen she is in a wheelchair and plays the trumpet for the adelaide youth orchestra



and this is sian who plays the oboe in the adelaide youth sinfonia

[BBJ]

Rob i think they are both beautiful, that harshnes of the light on the first pic od Sian has now gone and a slight highlight in her hair has done the trick mate, i dont think they need the flowers but adds something different to the images, hey i would even swap the flowers for there instruments. Anyhow mate, i think you have it sorted job well done.
Cheers
John

[Alpha_7]

I agree with John, as they are musical I think a more personal touch would be to have them pose with their instruments.. perhaps a few shots formally.. and then a few more were they are having a bit more fun as they are a little "over posed" for me, but that's just my preference.

Lighting is much improved!

[stubbsy]

Rob. Getting there. The last two are better, but in the lower right corner (the model's left) we can see the edge of something (the backdrop?)

[robw25]

stubbsy.. i did see that and was going to clone it out but forgot

here is the last ones taken with their instuments






i think the girls have enough ! .. i can see that " when is this fat bastard going to get it right ! " look in their eyes
thanks for all your suggestions

cheers rob

[marcotrov]

The last five images you have started to really nail that lighting Rob. They seem really at home handling the instruments and it shows in the more natural poses. My daughter thinks posing for me is like getting your teeth pulled.
cheers
marco

[Alpha_7]

rob these last ones are an improvement, definitely works better IMHO with the instruments then with the flowers... they seem a little more relaxed and having a little more fun... make the most of willing models, I'm sure they'd love a few prints for themselves or friends and family

[Big Red]

that last pic is the best IMHO
the one with the girls and flowers ... perhaps move the flowers more in their laps and not on their shoulders.

[Marvin]

I agree, I think the ones where they are posing with their instruments are the best and most natural. Are they twins?

[robw25]

marvin
yes they are twins, born with spina bifita, one ( sian ) walks with a limp and the other is wheelchair bound, they are 16 year old going 30 ! and they are beautifull girls always giving me shit !!!! but i think they like me

i also think the ones with the instruments are better, thank you to whomever suggested that and all the comments

cheers rob

[BBJ]

Yes rob it was me u clutz. LOL Thought since you said they played instruments why not ditch the flower and go with there weapon of choice would be a more personal choice than a big bunch of flowers to distract the veiwer from seeing how beautiful they are.

I think the later shots with there tools are a lot better to look at, more relaxed and wlel cant go wrong mate. Print them up and i am sure they will be happy and well another point any relly to you mate would have to give you shit cos i know they would get what they give.

Cheers
ME