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by Murray1006 on Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:30 pm
This is my daughter Nyah and the main subject of my photography. I posted a couple of these shots in the Canon Corral but thought I'd show them here for some critique.
#1
#2
#3

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by Glen on Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:32 pm
Pity she didn't have more photogenic eyes
I honestly cant get past her eyes to critique the shots. Great
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by LOZ on Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:33 pm
WOW you are one lucky man MURRY
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by norbs on Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:34 pm
She is absolutely gorgeous. Can't fault the photos. Pin sharp and a beautiful subject.
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by nito on Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:35 pm
Murray those shots are GREAT! My pic is the first one with the excellent combination of colour and cuteness. You must be a very proud father. 
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by Alpha_7 on Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:43 pm
Murray I was sold on Nya's model potential in the last thread but these just prove further what a stunningly cute little girl she is. Love the eyes and even in Black and white they have such a strong impact. My wife thinks she's adorable and asked how old she is ?? BTW I think it's a nice touch we can see you in #2, Nya only has eyes for her Daddy. 
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by sirhc55 on Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:44 pm
A beautiful child demands beautiful photographs - and, these are 
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by rokkstar on Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:45 pm
OH MY GOD!!
holy smokes batman, those eyes are just amazing. The clarity from #1 is just astonishing - really breathtaking.
How in the name of all that is good and pure did you get the face so pin pin pin sharp?
Wonderful, beautiful pics and a beautiful girl.
Matt
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by bindiblue on Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:46 pm
Awesome shots, and what a beautiful little girl you have,
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by admajic on Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:46 pm
The Eyes have it! Awesome!!
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by stormygirl on Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:50 pm
She is absolutely stunning! Brilliant images too! What PPing did you use for the black and white??
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by Matt. K on Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:53 pm
Regards
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by beetleboy on Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:59 pm
These are by far the most stunning baby photo's I have seen in a very long time. Not only the captures, timing, subject, composition etc but your post work is brilliant. The subtleties of your retouching are fantastic - you know when an image has a feel that the PP has been overdone..these are so not that! They feel fairly heavily PPed but it's so well controlled that I don't find it distracting.
Rokkstar - to partly answer your question RE sharpness; there's a neat little trick that a lot of pro baby photographer's employ that has been used here to very good effect. Essentially it involves sharpening the facial features to the brink of haloing and then softening everything around them - this increases the sense of sharpness in the sharp areas!
Keep it up Murray..what do you do for a day job?!
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by Murray1006 on Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:16 pm
Alpha_7 wrote:Murray I was sold on Nya's model potential in the last thread but these just prove further what a stunningly cute little girl she is. Love the eyes and even in Black and white they have such a strong impact. My wife thinks she's adorable and asked how old she is ?? BTW I think it's a nice touch we can see you in #2, Nya only has eyes for her Daddy. 
Thanks guys. She is 13mths and I am very proud to be her dad. Yes you can see me in #2. I don't mind but it bothers some.
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by Murray1006 on Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:19 pm
rokkstar wrote:OH MY GOD!!
holy smokes batman, those eyes are just amazing. The clarity from #1 is just astonishing - really breathtaking. How in the name of all that is good and pure did you get the face so pin pin pin sharp?
Wonderful, beautiful pics and a beautiful girl.
Thanks. #1 was shot with the Canon 60mm F/2.8 macro which is one of my sharpest lenses. Lighting was natural window light and a small silver reflector for fill.
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by Murray1006 on Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:21 pm
stormygirl wrote:She is absolutely stunning! Brilliant images too! What PPing did you use for the black and white??
I converted the photo in Paint Shop Pro X using the B/W conversion tool that comes with it. I then just increased the contrast and brightness a little.
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by the foto fanatic on Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:23 pm
Wow, she may break a few hearts!
Lovely images, you could frame them and hang them.
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by Murray1006 on Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:29 pm
beetleboy wrote:These are by far the most stunning baby photo's I have seen in a very long time. Not only the captures, timing, subject, composition etc but your post work is brilliant. The subtleties of your retouching are fantastic - you know when an image has a feel that the PP has been overdone..these are so not that! They feel fairly heavily PPed but it's so well controlled that I don't find it distracting.
Rokkstar - to partly answer your question RE sharpness; there's a neat little trick that a lot of pro baby photographer's employ that has been used here to very good effect. Essentially it involves sharpening the facial features to the brink of haloing and then softening everything around them - this increases the sense of sharpness in the sharp areas!
Keep it up Murray..what do you do for a day job?!
Thankyou. Your pretty much spot on regarding the PP. Just selective sharpening and softening to highlight the areas of interest. Usually the eyes.
My day job is electronics with a little IT thrown in. I'm starting to get some weekend work with my photos though. It would be nice if my photography really gets going.
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by Murray1006 on Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:33 pm
cricketfan wrote:Wow, she may break a few hearts!
Lovely images, you could frame them and hang them.
Yes I think she may cause me some stress when the boys start to notice her. The first picture has already been blown up and printed on canvas. Her uncle had it done cheaply in Hong Kong for us and is delivering it in person next week. I can't wait to see how it turns out.
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by Manta on Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:35 pm
Terrific PP work Murray but that's just part of the story. Getting the lighting, composition and exposure right in the first place is the hard part and you seemed to have that down pat. Certainly doesn't hurt having such a gorgeous little model to work with as well. What a joy it must be losing yourself in those eyes every day.
Great work and thanks for introducing us to Nyah.
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by W00DY on Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:36 pm
Worth repeating... amazing eyes, beatifull.
How old is Nyah (Love the name)?
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by marcotrov on Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:41 pm
Gorgeous portraits. You have capitalised brilliantly on your daughters captivating eyes. Terrific images Murray and start investing in a shotgun.
cheers
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by Murray1006 on Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:42 pm
Manta wrote:Terrific PP work Murray but that's just part of the story. Getting the lighting, composition and exposure right in the first place is the hard part and you seemed to have that down pat. Certainly doesn't hurt having such a gorgeous little model to work with as well. What a joy it must be losing yourself in those eyes every day. Great work and thanks for introducing us to Nyah.
Yes, I think having a good looking model makes my job a lot easier. Every time I look at her I want to take her photo. She's such an inspiration.
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by Murray1006 on Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:45 pm
W00DY wrote:Worth repeating... amazing eyes, beatifull.
How old is Nyah (Love the name)?
Thankyou. My wife and I were sold on the name the second we heard it. She is 13 months old and getting bigger and cheekier everyday.
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by beetleboy on Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:53 pm
A little off topic, but how do you pronounce Nyah?
Nigh-ah, Nee-ah, Nee-ar?
Either way, it's a gorgeous name - my partner is wondering what Nyah West would sound like!!!!! Thanks a bunch!! 
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by Yi-P on Thu Jul 13, 2006 10:13 pm
Those little big eyes are absolute photographic wonders!!
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by blacknstormy on Thu Jul 13, 2006 10:17 pm
Murray - gorgeous little sweetheart with eyes that just make you melt !! Wonderfully captured, perfect lighting and with the first one - as has been said - PP that makes a great image sing !!
Well done
Rel
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by Murray1006 on Thu Jul 13, 2006 10:37 pm
beetleboy wrote:A little off topic, but how do you pronounce Nyah? Nigh-ah, Nee-ah, Nee-ar? Either way, it's a gorgeous name - my partner is wondering what Nyah West would sound like!!!!! Thanks a bunch!! 
Nigh-ah sounds about right. We actually first heard it used in the movie Mission Impossible II. It was the name of the leading lady opposite Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise). It's origin is Irish and means the 'new comer'. I think it was the name of one Poseidon’s daughters also.
I believe there is a town in Victoria named Nyah West too.
Last edited by Murray1006 on Thu Jul 13, 2006 10:56 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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by Murray1006 on Thu Jul 13, 2006 10:40 pm
blacknstormy wrote:Murray - gorgeous little sweetheart with eyes that just make you melt !! Wonderfully captured, perfect lighting and with the first one - as has been said - PP that makes a great image sing !! Well done  Rel
Thankyou and everybody else I haven’t thanked personally.
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by Geoff on Thu Jul 13, 2006 10:47 pm
Absolutely stunning - some of the best images I've seen EVER on this forum 
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by Murray1006 on Thu Jul 13, 2006 11:07 pm
Geoff wrote:Absolutely stunning - some of the best images I've seen EVER on this forum 
Thankyou very much. That's a great compliment.
I just had a quick look at your profile. We have some things in common. I lived in Harbord for nearly 10 years, I love mountainbiking, my wife used to be a nurse and I'll be doing my first wedding in September. 
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by byrt_001 on Thu Jul 13, 2006 11:28 pm
wow..what can i say that have not been said
excellent...photo of the week
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by 99 on Thu Jul 13, 2006 11:46 pm
I'm going back to Canon!! 
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by Slider on Fri Jul 14, 2006 12:09 am
Awesome. The first shot nothing short of incredible. Well done. 
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by Colcam on Fri Jul 14, 2006 9:34 am
Oh brother, are you ever going to have to be a strong willed Dad in the not too distant future. When she wants something, she is going to turn those eye weapons on you & you are going to be RS!!
Definitely Picture of the week material. Great stuff and well seen.
Col
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by Murray1006 on Fri Jul 14, 2006 9:36 am
99 wrote:I'm going back to Canon!! 
It would be great to have you back. You're always welcome on the other side of the fence.
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by Murray1006 on Fri Jul 14, 2006 9:43 am
Colcam wrote:Oh brother, are you ever going to have to be a strong willed Dad in the not too distant future. When she wants something, she is going to turn those eye weapons on you & you are going to be RS!!
Definitely Picture of the week material. Great stuff and well seen. Col
Thanks. She's already started using her powers to get her way. I'm going to have to be very careful she's not spoiled.
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by MATT on Fri Jul 14, 2006 10:01 am
Well hasnt the standard been set high..
I am NOT showing these to my wife or I'll be in big trouble for not taking such stunning images of our children.
Cheers
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by wendellt on Fri Jul 14, 2006 10:24 am
amazing eyes
gorgeous girl
3rd one is very special
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by PiroStitch on Fri Jul 14, 2006 10:35 am
Awesome pics, beautiful baby and damn hypnotic eyes!  Bet she gets away with a few things at home with those Bambi eyes.
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by Murray1006 on Fri Jul 14, 2006 10:39 am
[quote="PiroStitch"]Awesome pics, beautiful baby and damn hypnotic eyes!  Bet she gets away with a few things at home with those Bambi eyes.[/quote
Thanks guys. My wife and I will do our best to keep her in line.
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by PiroStitch on Fri Jul 14, 2006 10:42 am
Murray, that's what you say now  Just wait till she breaks that damn expensive vase or something else and gives you the Bambi eyes.... 
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by terminator on Fri Jul 14, 2006 3:16 pm
I agree with the other posts here, fantastic images....but....I`ll probably get fried for this... but I find the sharpening of the eyes a little overdone.
#1 looks a bit too cartoon like for me.
#3 is my favourite but the eyes are still a bit oversharpened for mine.
Still fantastic shots though 
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by Murray1006 on Fri Jul 14, 2006 3:33 pm
terminator wrote:I agree with the other posts here, fantastic images....but....I`ll probably get fried for this... but I find the sharpening of the eyes a little overdone. #1 looks a bit too cartoon like for me. #3 is my favourite but the eyes are still a bit oversharpened for mine. Still fantastic shots though 
No problem, that's why I post my pictures to hear different opinions and ideas so I can improve. I appreciate your comments.
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by avkomp on Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:06 pm
When ollie showed my your gallery, I picked some of your baby shots as the best in the gallery.
well done and she sure does have amazing eyes.
wondering on the light source for these also?
I can see your reflection in one shot against what is either a soft box or an open window. or am I seeing something else??
sTeve
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by Murray1006 on Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:29 pm
avkomp wrote:When ollie showed my your gallery, I picked some of your baby shots as the best in the gallery. well done and she sure does have amazing eyes.
wondering on the light source for these also? I can see your reflection in one shot against what is either a soft box or an open window. or am I seeing something else??
sTeve
Thanks Steve.
#1 had window light coming from the cameras left and a small silver reflector to the right for fill and to brighten her eyes.
#2 was simply window light coming over my shoulder, that's why you can see my arm in the shot.
#3 was again natural light provided by a couple of windows to the cameras right and the same silver reflector up close and just out of frame to the left to fill her eyes again.
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by avkomp on Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:32 pm
thanks murray, kinda figured there was a reflector there also.
Steve
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by Zeeke on Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:40 pm
Murray, just saw these.. and i'd have to agree with a few others here... these are some of the best images ive seen on dslrusers.. absolutely beautiful!
you gotta be one proud pappa!
captivating images... im seriously impressed with these photos.. im not into baby photos.. but these are the best ive seen... I reckon the young fella who won the latest Australia's cutest baby competition would be running for the money if your daughter was entered..
Congrats on the great pics.. I'll keep an eye out for more pics posted by you!
Tim
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by Murray1006 on Fri Jul 14, 2006 5:29 pm
Zeeke wrote:Murray, just saw these.. and i'd have to agree with a few others here... these are some of the best images ive seen on dslrusers.. absolutely beautiful!
you gotta be one proud pappa!
captivating images... im seriously impressed with these photos.. im not into baby photos.. but these are the best ive seen... I reckon the young fella who won the latest Australia's cutest baby competition would be running for the money if your daughter was entered..
Congrats on the great pics.. I'll keep an eye out for more pics posted by you!
Tim
Thankyou for your comments Tim. I'm very proud to be Nyah's dad.
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