This is the last in my 'after the rain' series, and while I suspect that some of you will probably prefer the first one I posted, I think that this is definitely my favourite – not least because the post-production was minimal, there's no crop, and it perfectly captures Rhowan in one of her more contemplative moments.
In this instance, the black and white conversion was done using the channel mixer (as described in this tutorial), and a masked curve was added to bring out her eyes (as described here). Other than that I added an overall Curve to up the contrast a little, a masked Curve to slightly lighten the left side of the image, and a final Curve to add the slightly warmer tone.
As always, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts, particularly in terms of which of the last three you liked best.
captured camera lens focal length aperture shutter speed shooting mode exposure bias metering mode ISO flash image quality RAW converter cropped?
2.21pm on 2/6/09
Canon 1Ds Mark II EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
200mm
f/3.5
1/80
aperture priority
+1/3
evaluative
200
no
RAW
ACR
no
OK David...I absolutely hate (yes...a very strong word indeed) you...for teasing us desert dwellers with beautiful pictures of your rain drenched kids. Could you not have waited until it started raining in Dubai??? (Oh...so what if it takes nearly half a year before it starts raining in the UAE???)
On a more serious note.....
I really really like this photo...and wish I was there to enjoy the wet weather with you & the kids! Have a blast....looks like you're enjoying yourselves!
Charles
comment by Chris at 08:24 PM (GMT) on 4 June, 2009
Hi Dave,
All three images were greatly captured and processed. It makes it very difficult to judge them. If I had to rank them from most to least favorite, it would be #2, #3, then #1. After the rain #2, I really like the gradient type of lighting in the image. I am glad you decided to choose color over the black and white conversation. The soft color toning plus the increased highlights to the eyes grabs the attention. This series persuades me to reread the portraits tutorials.
comment byToKs Adesanya at 09:03 PM (GMT) on 4 June, 2009
love the portrait: very simple yet speaks volumes
comment by Alex at 02:24 AM (GMT) on 5 June, 2009
Yeah! Finally I see David NIghtingale back! This is what's called photography!
I don't think this one shares the same intensity that the previous two images shared; at least not on a processing spectrum. However, I still have to say it's an excellent portrait. Nice to see some more soft, family stuff Dave!
comment byVincent at 07:51 AM (GMT) on 5 June, 2009
Hi,
I actually prefer this one to the first one of the serie. Prefer the composition, the look of Rhowan, and the B&W processing. The bg bokeh is also very nice, I have to buy this 70-200 ;)
I prefer the composition of the first and the post edition of the third. Lovely three portraits anyway.
comment byDan Kaufman at 04:06 PM (GMT) on 5 June, 2009
I will go for #3 as well. However it's hard in that the first two are in color and are portrait crops, while here the image is B/W and an expanded field of view. Two very different "types" to compare. Never-the-less, I like the story going here the most of the three. And the post-processing is very good. I especially like the eyes; they're strong.
comment byJess K at 05:14 PM (GMT) on 5 June, 2009
I think this one is my favourite. I love her expression. She seems so natural in front of the camera. Im getting the 70-200 IS 2.8 today :)
comment byXavier Rey at 10:50 AM (GMT) on 6 June, 2009
comment byODILIA LIUZZI at 03:43 PM (GMT) on 6 June, 2009
a little top model.. beautiful!!
Well done David.. her eyes are so much expressive!
bye from italy..
comment byChris Bamber at 12:39 AM (GMT) on 7 June, 2009
This is certainly my favorite of the set! Super sharp eyes and composition which hold your attention. The simple not-over-the-top processing really pays off!
comment byLightningPaul at 08:16 AM (GMT) on 9 June, 2009
Probably the best one!
comment bywill pattison at 02:16 AM (GMT) on 10 June, 2009
greatness. glad i finally had time to catch up on all the latest!
wp.
comment byMarco at 05:23 PM (GMT) on 13 June, 2009
Let me start with saying that you have beautiful children. I like this one best as well, although I like the second one a lot too. This shot to me is a classic beautiful B&W portrait, whereas the previous one is more contemporary and somewhat lighter and sweeter.
comment by ElisabethGrace at 12:22 AM (GMT) on 30 October, 2009
This is the last in my 'after the rain' series, and while I suspect that some of you will probably prefer the first one I posted, I think that this is definitely my favourite – not least because the post-production was minimal, there's no crop, and it perfectly captures Rhowan in one of her more contemplative moments.
If you are interested, the original is here:
.../archives/after_the_rain_3.php
In this instance, the black and white conversion was done using the channel mixer (as described in this tutorial), and a masked curve was added to bring out her eyes (as described here). Other than that I added an overall Curve to up the contrast a little, a masked Curve to slightly lighten the left side of the image, and a final Curve to add the slightly warmer tone.
As always, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts, particularly in terms of which of the last three you liked best.
camera
lens
focal length
aperture
shutter speed
shooting mode
exposure bias
metering mode
ISO
flash
image quality
RAW converter
cropped?
Canon 1Ds Mark II
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
200mm
f/3.5
1/80
aperture priority
+1/3
evaluative
200
no
RAW
ACR
no
This is my favourite as well!
David,
Loved each one in the series... hmmm... all three are outstanding... for me the Oscar goes to after the rain #2.
C.
For me, its after the rain two! Great shot!
Number one is the best IMHO. And yes, you definitely have a future model here.
For me I prefer the second of the three. I like the other two, but there is something about the second shot I just can't pinpoint.
I liked the first one best. Absolutely love everything about it. Model, pose, post and I think the cropping is phenomenal (big fan of 2x1 here).
Thanks for sharing.
a beautiful woman in making :P lovely shot, god bless all your kids and you.
By far this one works best for me! It's such a simple shot, yet so effective! It's actually my favourite from you in a while...
This photo is amazing. This is what I would love to accomplish with my photography of children. Thanks for sharing.
OK David...I absolutely hate (yes...a very strong word indeed) you...for teasing us desert dwellers with beautiful pictures of your rain drenched kids. Could you not have waited until it started raining in Dubai??? (Oh...so what if it takes nearly half a year before it starts raining in the UAE???)
On a more serious note.....
I really really like this photo...and wish I was there to enjoy the wet weather with you & the kids! Have a blast....looks like you're enjoying yourselves!
Charles
Hi Dave,
All three images were greatly captured and processed. It makes it very difficult to judge them. If I had to rank them from most to least favorite, it would be #2, #3, then #1. After the rain #2, I really like the gradient type of lighting in the image. I am glad you decided to choose color over the black and white conversation. The soft color toning plus the increased highlights to the eyes grabs the attention. This series persuades me to reread the portraits tutorials.
love the portrait: very simple yet speaks volumes
Yeah! Finally I see David NIghtingale back! This is what's called photography!
Love this one!
I don't think this one shares the same intensity that the previous two images shared; at least not on a processing spectrum. However, I still have to say it's an excellent portrait. Nice to see some more soft, family stuff Dave!
Hi,
I actually prefer this one to the first one of the serie. Prefer the composition, the look of Rhowan, and the B&W processing. The bg bokeh is also very nice, I have to buy this 70-200 ;)
I prefer the composition of the first and the post edition of the third. Lovely three portraits anyway.
I will go for #3 as well. However it's hard in that the first two are in color and are portrait crops, while here the image is B/W and an expanded field of view. Two very different "types" to compare. Never-the-less, I like the story going here the most of the three. And the post-processing is very good. I especially like the eyes; they're strong.
I think this one is my favourite. I love her expression. She seems so natural in front of the camera. Im getting the 70-200 IS 2.8 today :)
beautiful portrait !
Thanks everyone :)
a little top model.. beautiful!!
Well done David.. her eyes are so much expressive!
bye from italy..
This is certainly my favorite of the set! Super sharp eyes and composition which hold your attention. The simple not-over-the-top processing really pays off!
Probably the best one!
greatness. glad i finally had time to catch up on all the latest!
wp.
Let me start with saying that you have beautiful children. I like this one best as well, although I like the second one a lot too. This shot to me is a classic beautiful B&W portrait, whereas the previous one is more contemporary and somewhat lighter and sweeter.
I LOVE this. Model in the making!