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I don't know what it is about Rhowan, but in many of her photographs she gives the distinct impression that she's considerably wiser than her years would suggest. This shot is no exception.

On a more technical note: I promised I'd keep you posted as to how I was getting on with my new lens, the 70-200 f/2.8 IS. Well, this was handheld at 1/50th, and I'm pretty sure it would have been almost impossible without the IS. I did take quite a few other shots at this shutter speed/focal length today and a good proportion were as sharp as this one. Some were softer, but in a number of those cases I think it was the kids jumping about rather than any deficit with the IS, so thusfar, I'm impressed and would hope that my hit rate with portraits of the kids improves a little.

Oh, and can someone explain to me why, when I said yesterday, that Libby and I had disagreed about the merit of yesterday's shot, that all of you assumed that I liked it and Libby didn't? On this occassion I wasn't happy with it (for many of the reasons you mentioned), but Libby quite liked it. Anyway, I'm normally wrong when Libby and I disagree, at least you normally think so, so it's nice to have been right for once ;-)

captured
camera
lens
focal length
aperture
shutter speed
shooting mode
exposure bias
metering mode
ISO
flash
image quality
RAW converter
cropped?
2.26pm on 16/9/06
Canon 20D
EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM
200mm (320mm equiv.)
f/5.6
1/50
manual
n/a
evaluative
100
580EX (-1/3 FEC)
RAW
C1 Pro
minor
 
3x2 + children [portraits]
comment by Brett Admire at 09:29 PM (GMT) on 16 September, 2006

wow.. handheld...impressive

comment by Lurker at 09:36 PM (GMT) on 16 September, 2006

I have a theory, here on chromasia we always root with Libby, so you were right yesterday because we all thought it was Libby's opinion we were defending ... no ?

Just a theory

comment by Lurker at 09:39 PM (GMT) on 16 September, 2006

After re reading your comment, I see that's what you implied in the first place :-)
My bad.

comment by Arthur at 09:59 PM (GMT) on 16 September, 2006

I’m going to be interested to see how you get on with the IS — I now mostly use my 85mm f1.8 for photographing my friends’ children as I found that even with IS, being able to use faster shutter speeds (even at the risk of extremely shallow DOF) was necessary to get really sharp shots of anything other than moments of concentration or reflection.

Following yesterday, what does the model herself think of this one?? :-)

comment by ROB at 10:01 PM (GMT) on 16 September, 2006

This image is a selling point for that lens itself. When you said above it was handheld at 1/50 I never expected to see that it was also at 200mm.

And that is amazing framing given the note of crop = minor. Nice work!

comment by Jennifer at 11:14 PM (GMT) on 16 September, 2006

Do Canon sponsor you?!!! if not they should ;-)

comment by Toxic Lens at 11:24 PM (GMT) on 16 September, 2006

That's quite an expression! She looks a little angry, yet on the verge of laughter at the same time. Great capture.

comment by Maxine at 11:30 PM (GMT) on 16 September, 2006

Absolutly wonderful! A fine new example on how father and daughter work so well together! Congratulations for both of you!

comment by doreen at 11:41 PM (GMT) on 16 September, 2006

wow! beautiful shot of a beautiful girl. i love the expression on her face. it's so hard to believe that 1) she's only five and 2) she's the same girl from this picture (http://www.chromasia.com/iblog/galleries/0604101914.php).

comment by Ramsey at 12:13 AM (GMT) on 17 September, 2006

Very nice image she looks very mischievous, and quite sharp. I have a 24-105is and I am amazed how slow I can go.. and still get a sharp image.

comment by Neil at 12:25 AM (GMT) on 17 September, 2006

Wow, she seems to be growing up very quickly! Hmmm, wish I could afford the 70-200 IS, I bought the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 (no IS) and I love it (and it's price tag) but the IS is SUCH a boon in these situations.

comment by Ben at 04:04 AM (GMT) on 17 September, 2006

Great shot. I've personally never had the change to shoot with a lens that has IS. It sounds great, but just adds a bit too much to the price tag!

comment by Ben at 04:05 AM (GMT) on 17 September, 2006

I've personally never had the **chance** to shoot with IS
Sorry for the typo :)

comment by Ali at 06:04 AM (GMT) on 17 September, 2006

is she trying not to laugh? good tones and contrast! it makes it look like a barcode ;-)

comment by John Zeweniuk at 06:33 AM (GMT) on 17 September, 2006

you have such an eye for portraits... you capture such depth and sensitivity... beautiful

comment by m i k e b at 06:39 AM (GMT) on 17 September, 2006

very impressive with the lens. the detail is quite nice.

comment by Mark at 09:29 AM (GMT) on 17 September, 2006

Dave, what a great straight forward portrait of a wonderful expression. I'm amazed that at that focal length and at 1/50, it's so clear. Ok, you've sold me so I'll be searching for a new lens. Thanks for the update on the 70-200 IS.

comment by Samarth at 12:33 PM (GMT) on 17 September, 2006

Lovely expression...8.5/10
cr=6/10

comment by jelb at 02:56 PM (GMT) on 17 September, 2006

Simply, a very nice piture! as usual!

comment by Craig at 04:07 PM (GMT) on 17 September, 2006

Interesting portrait, lovely detail.

comment by Sysagent at 04:47 PM (GMT) on 17 September, 2006

Dave great portrait and excellent focus on the eyes, looks quite special that lens...

Also like how the freckles of come up on this image :)

p.s. Whens this meet going to happen, the light is getting better everyday..
(email me please)

comment by Rodion Kovenkin at 04:47 PM (GMT) on 17 September, 2006

Very interesting portrait! So lovely!

comment by John at 07:19 PM (GMT) on 17 September, 2006

An "intense" look. Nice. Excellent toning.

comment by Mary at 07:44 PM (GMT) on 17 September, 2006

Nice detail and very intense eyes.

comment by bart at 08:24 PM (GMT) on 17 September, 2006

So beautiful!!

comment by kurt at 08:57 PM (GMT) on 17 September, 2006

a beautiful, crisp portrait. very nice - and i like the subtle sepia tone.

comment by djn1 at 08:59 PM (GMT) on 17 September, 2006

Thanks everyone.

Arthur: she liked it.

Jennifer: no, not yet ;-)

doreen: I can't keep up with how fast they're all growing. Time flies.

Sysagent: soon, hopefully.

comment by {-P-} at 09:56 AM (GMT) on 18 September, 2006

Very nice portrait ! Did you shot this one directly in b&W or is it a post treatment ?

comment by m at 08:07 PM (GMT) on 18 September, 2006

fab

comment by Jeet at 04:20 AM (GMT) on 19 September, 2006

You are right.. She looks a different person altogether :) Nice portrait.

comment by Adriana at 06:22 PM (GMT) on 21 September, 2006

I had to read the name to be sure she was Rhowan. Looks so big and for some reason different than how she usually looks. :o

comment by joao cristovao at 01:30 PM (GMT) on 19 October, 2006

320mm is definitively too much for portraits (IMO makes faces too flat). I guess 150mm is the longest focal distance for full face portraits. Anyway, I like this photo a lot.