B&W Baby Portrait

[Wocka]

Gidday,

This is my first B&W conversion of my daughter (now 3 weeks old).
Please give CC as I'd like to have this image, or one similar enlarged for the wall.

Are the highlights too harsh?



Thank you to Rel (BlacknStormy) for some very nice macro shots that are on the wall in the nursery.

[stormygirl]

Hi Wocka,

She is gorgeous! I'm far from an expert, but my advice is to get in a little closer and try and focus on her eyes, and possibly without the hat. I have taken many BW ones of my cherubs, and have this one up on the wall:

http://www.stormygirl.net/images/jessica2bandw.jpg

....although she was about four months there!

You could also try and focus on the little things like hands and feet...

http://www.stormygirl.net/images/ben1bandw.jpg

Experiment, and take as many as you can as they grow up way too quickly!

There are several more here: http://www.stormygirl.net/blackandwhite.htm

[Alpha_7]

She's gorgeous Wocka, and Jane offers some very good advice. I'd also suggest improving the lighting, natural window light would probably be best, even difused through a white curtain. BTW Jane - Gorgeous photos of your little ones too!

[Wocka]

Jane - thank you for the comments. I will seek out some more of my shots ( only 1000+ at the moment ) to find something suitable for the eyes.

I borrowed a friends 100mm macro for feet etc. They have come out nice, but maybe a little too much detail for a baby, eg too sharp. I might need to blur them a little to soften them up.

Craig - this image was with a natural window light ( just to her right ) and through net curtains. But maybe it has cast a little too much shadow. I might try some fill in flash next time ( I only have the onboard flash on the camera, but I have the power turned right down do it's not too stong ).

[Alpha_7]

Warwick the other soultion for a bit more even lighting is to get a piece of white cardboard or a relefector (the car sun visors work well in a pinch) and use that to light the shadows up. (But sounds like you doing everything right )

[Glen]

Warwick, very nice image I agree with Jane's suggestion it could have even more impact

[blacknstormy]

Congratulations Wocka & Mrs Wocka - she's beautiful !!!
I like the shot- but agree with the suggestions of stormygirl I would also like to see some shots done on a paler background - gives a really nice high key effect, which seems to emphasize the little ones eyes even more

But on that note - more please

Hugs always
Rel

ps glad the macros made it to the wall

[TonyH]

one word..... gorgeous!

[Wocka]

Thanks Rel,

I was going to try and take some posed images of her on a white sheet (background) to try some highkey images like you posted.

But she's not co-operating at the moment, every time I place her on the floor she starts to wriggle and move.

Maybe I need to fool her and just do it in her cot. We haven't had much time without nappes yet. So I don't know how many images I'll be able to take before we have an added bonus.

Cheers

[Wocka]

Is this better?
Unfortunately her mouth is OOF, or maybe she just moved. Not too sure.