Beautiful shot. I think only parents can appericate pics like this.

It's a great photo. How do you desaturate your photo's because they always come out better than mine? I'm using Photoshop CS2

ohhh god, awesome capture!!
wonderful expression, and she's the sweetest thing.
(i'm not a parent and i really appreciate this)

she is adorable. excellent photo, congratulations.

Children are always big emotional cocktail. I'm not a parent yet but when that happens I know exactly what is waiting for me... I think. :-)

David, I see that the final result taht your new EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM produce is amazing. And the short DoF created a very smooth backgroud.

The simple life and pleasures of youth.

Great shot. So adorable. Hmm...I don't remember any other vertical compositions off the top of my head.

I think this is the first time I've ever seen you post a 'tall' (ie portrait as opposed to landscape) 3x2 picture. Normally the tallest you go is square, though I can't say I blame you - moniotrs are landscape so wider photos just look better when displayed on screens.

Anyway enough waffle. Love the photo. I was talking to my girlfriend about shots of kids earlier actually. We don't have any yet but she was saying that if/when we do, she doesn't want me posting photos of them online because she'd be worried about security. I told her you had loads of photos of your children on your blog and that I didn't really want my life dictated by a minority of individuals who were up to no good. I think she's starting to see sense. Then, as if by magic, you go and post a shot of Harmony. What are the chances... Actually, don't answer that, they're probably quite high ;)

This just tugs at the heartstrings. Great shot!

Brilliant - the blur in the background sets of the subject perfectly.

a beautiful photo, as always. i love her outfit =D

Nice portrait.

I know that look very well :-) Great picture.

wonderful!

Very nice shot. Great expressions

Good framing and I love the bokeh to this shot. Great expression, very 'acting' little girl lost.

Lovely portrait Dave. Great dof and composition. Good timing as well, cause the pose and hands are exquisite. The one thing I do have doubts about though is the pp'ing. I might be wrong, but it appears that her skin is a bit too dark (I don't really know her of course, so maybe she is like that) but it reminds me of shots I've done myself where there was a blue filter in the b/w conversion? Are they realistic skin tones?
Nonetheless, a masterful portrait. And yeah, have you posted this sort of crop and orientation before? I can't remember. You're a master of timing David, I mean really.. You're out walking and Harmony starts to give up the ghost, but not only do you manage to capture her in sucha great pose and looking straight at you with that expression, but you also think about setting the exposure compensation to 1/3rd of a stop and the flash exposure comp to - 2/3rds. That's what I call thinking on your feet. You da' man!

she's got the look. a very nice portrait. and it's perfect in black and white.

:-)

cute :)

that lens is very impressive - the dof is so perfect

love the shot. love the toning. dont love the dof...whats going on here? it looks muddy instead of soft....i've actually noticed this before with this lens...the bokeh just isnt pleasing to my eye...but the portrait is awesome of course..great expression and great timing.

Amazed there are't more comments. I think this is a magical shot.

nice shot, you certainly captured her mood brilliantly!!

do you ever get any grief from your family for frequently taking their picture?!

Thanks everyone.

Mark: for this one I desaturated it using the Channel Mixer then toned it with a Curve.

nferreira: yep, I'm really pleased with the lens.

Jamey: I have posted a few 'tall' shots before, but not many ;-)

Geoff: your analysis is spot on, i.e. I used the channel mixer to simulate a blue filter, the consequence of which is that her skin has turned out a bit darker than normal.

mark(myshots): I can see what you mean about the bokeh, but as much as anything else this was to do with the fact that there were quite a lot of highlights in the shubbery in the background.

nev: yes, sometimes, but most of the time they're quite happy to let me get on with it.

Great shot, I love the sorrowful eyes.

superb!

adorable as usual. love your portraits.

That is the word I couldn't think of, very precocious expression.

great shot... as usual...

OH MY GOD! As a parent of young adults (all over 21) this shot brought back so many memories. It is perfect!

This is perfect. I love this picture! I can't wait 'till I get some kids of my own. I mean, this is something that your family will appreciate for ever. Pics like these. Wonderful.

Fantastic shot. Love the expression.

I just love your pictures

awwww that's so sad:(

omg that is to sad where does she live i will adopt her