After my complaints of yesterday – that I hadn't been able to take any decent shots over the last few days – we took the kids to the beach, and I got four shots that I'm happy with.
As for this one, it's the first of two portraits: this one is of our youngest (18 months old), and tomorrow's is of our almost three year old, and both were processed in the same way. First: use a Channel Mixer adjustment to extract the Red Channel, reducing the image to black and white (which is particularly effective for portraits as it lifts skin tones quite dramatically). Second, using a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer, ABOVE the Channel Mixer layer, colourise the image. What you can then do (though I didn't bother in this instance) is play around with the opacity of the Channel Mixer layer to adjust the tonal range/balance of the final image.
I'm pleased with this one, and as always, I'd be interested to hear what you think.
camera capture date aperture shutter speed shooting mode exposure bias metering mode ISO focal length flash image quality white balance cropped?
Canon G5
2.55pm on 23/8/04
f6.3
1/800
aperture priority
+0.0
evaluative
50
7.2mm
yes
RAW
auto
no
comment byLyle at 09:48 AM (GMT) on 24 August, 2004
I like this - due to your tinkering it's almost a sepia-tone kind of image, but because of the lightness of the sky/sand, the clothing stands out really well.
Very nice, although the expression of "yuck, what's that I just touched" also adds something to the image... *Grin*
comment byferrie at 10:45 AM (GMT) on 24 August, 2004
it's almost a classic one,
remember leni riefenstahl?
only her work, of course.
http://www.maaswinkel.nl/mt/archives/2004/08/leni.html
comment bynantel at 12:29 PM (GMT) on 24 August, 2004
He really looks like he has the whole world in front of him.
comment bydjn1 at 12:32 PM (GMT) on 24 August, 2004
nantel: oops, I should have said that this is one of our daughters ;-) Sadly, she has my hair, which does make her look rather boyish.
comment bykendall at 12:53 PM (GMT) on 24 August, 2004
This is gorgeous on so many levels. Wonderful photo... The black of the clothing gives a great edge against the sky and firmly locks the subject to the ground. Ah.. lovely.
comment byJasper at 01:10 PM (GMT) on 24 August, 2004
Very nice! She looks like a giant from this point of view!
comment byemjayem at 02:38 PM (GMT) on 24 August, 2004
Great expression on her face and a nice low perspective looking upwards which is always ideal for images of children.
comment byMartin at 02:47 PM (GMT) on 24 August, 2004
That is a magnificent portrait... the colourization and composition are both spot on. I dream of creating images as good as this.
comment bymandar at 03:41 PM (GMT) on 24 August, 2004
This one is really good. I have wished so many times that I could take such pictures. Your baby looks like a SuperBaby! ready to fly away to help someone in need. I can see how someone might take that look for "ugh ! is this really sand?" But you can't control the facial expressions of an 18 month old. Well done.
comment bymandar at 03:44 PM (GMT) on 24 August, 2004
Oh ! One more thing. The skies behind look a bit flat [like a studio screen] to me. Does that bother anyone else ? I think some feeling of depth out there could be better.
comment byLeslie at 05:19 PM (GMT) on 24 August, 2004
what a doll!
comment by Sharon Woods at 05:33 PM (GMT) on 24 August, 2004
I'm biased as I love this child to bits. It's a fantastic shot Dave. It captures your gorgeous daughter's spirit and personality completely. Beautiful.
comment byWen at 05:42 PM (GMT) on 24 August, 2004
I love all your photos. I check here everyday... I use the same cam as you but I don't think I'd ever get anywhere near you :p awesome job and you have beautiful children!
comment byJason Wall at 05:55 PM (GMT) on 24 August, 2004
Adjectives that come to mind: expansive, cute, odd.
Her expression doesn't seem to fit just right. I'm not sure the setting blends with the image of a small child having fun at the beach very well.
I like the perspective though, and the color tones, which are rich in their desaturated loveliness. And your daughter is very cute, and bears some resemblance to you, now that I think of it. :) I think she has your forehead, and perhaps your jowles... although on the latter point I'm uncertain. *grin*
comment by m at 06:22 PM (GMT) on 24 August, 2004
I love it
comment bydjn1 at 09:08 PM (GMT) on 24 August, 2004
mandar: I suspect that a part of the reason for the sky looking as though it were a studio backdrop is that this shot (as is tomorrow's) is flash lit using a 420EX Speedlite and a Lumiquest Ultrabounce (a diffuser). What's great about the 420EX is that it has a high speed sync mode; i.e. it will work with any shutter speed. So I think it's the even lighting that gives the shot it's rather odd appearance.
comment byIrene at 10:44 PM (GMT) on 24 August, 2004
Ready to conquer the world......
What an incredible strong photo you created with your choice of perspective!
comment bynordilux at 12:23 AM (GMT) on 25 August, 2004
what is not to love about this photo?
comment byJinky at 02:23 AM (GMT) on 25 August, 2004
Great shot! Love it! =) And the sepia really suits it. Beautiful.
comment bydjn1 at 05:15 AM (GMT) on 25 August, 2004
Thanks everyone.
comment byJason Wall at 05:20 PM (GMT) on 25 August, 2004
Hey, the image showing up in the archive is the same as tomorrows. ;)
comment byRaymond at 08:54 AM (GMT) on 26 August, 2004
Very nice shot!!!!Like it very much.
Raym
http://home.deds.nl/~raym/
comment by Maxine at 03:19 PM (GMT) on 1 September, 2004
It reminds me the ad: Power is nothing without control' she is in control of the landscape (ocean and sky) you as usual in control of your camera. Amazing photo Dave! Congratulations.
After my complaints of yesterday – that I hadn't been able to take any decent shots over the last few days – we took the kids to the beach, and I got four shots that I'm happy with.
As for this one, it's the first of two portraits: this one is of our youngest (18 months old), and tomorrow's is of our almost three year old, and both were processed in the same way. First: use a Channel Mixer adjustment to extract the Red Channel, reducing the image to black and white (which is particularly effective for portraits as it lifts skin tones quite dramatically). Second, using a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer, ABOVE the Channel Mixer layer, colourise the image. What you can then do (though I didn't bother in this instance) is play around with the opacity of the Channel Mixer layer to adjust the tonal range/balance of the final image.
I'm pleased with this one, and as always, I'd be interested to hear what you think.
capture date
aperture
shutter speed
shooting mode
exposure bias
metering mode
ISO
focal length
flash
image quality
white balance
cropped?
2.55pm on 23/8/04
f6.3
1/800
aperture priority
+0.0
evaluative
50
7.2mm
yes
RAW
auto
no
I like this - due to your tinkering it's almost a sepia-tone kind of image, but because of the lightness of the sky/sand, the clothing stands out really well.
Very nice, although the expression of "yuck, what's that I just touched" also adds something to the image... *Grin*
it's almost a classic one,
remember leni riefenstahl?
only her work, of course.
http://www.maaswinkel.nl/mt/archives/2004/08/leni.html
He really looks like he has the whole world in front of him.
nantel: oops, I should have said that this is one of our daughters ;-) Sadly, she has my hair, which does make her look rather boyish.
This is gorgeous on so many levels. Wonderful photo... The black of the clothing gives a great edge against the sky and firmly locks the subject to the ground. Ah.. lovely.
Very nice! She looks like a giant from this point of view!
Great expression on her face and a nice low perspective looking upwards which is always ideal for images of children.
That is a magnificent portrait... the colourization and composition are both spot on. I dream of creating images as good as this.
This one is really good. I have wished so many times that I could take such pictures. Your baby looks like a SuperBaby! ready to fly away to help someone in need. I can see how someone might take that look for "ugh ! is this really sand?" But you can't control the facial expressions of an 18 month old. Well done.
Oh ! One more thing. The skies behind look a bit flat [like a studio screen] to me. Does that bother anyone else ? I think some feeling of depth out there could be better.
what a doll!
I'm biased as I love this child to bits. It's a fantastic shot Dave. It captures your gorgeous daughter's spirit and personality completely. Beautiful.
I love all your photos. I check here everyday... I use the same cam as you but I don't think I'd ever get anywhere near you :p awesome job and you have beautiful children!
Adjectives that come to mind: expansive, cute, odd.
Her expression doesn't seem to fit just right. I'm not sure the setting blends with the image of a small child having fun at the beach very well.
I like the perspective though, and the color tones, which are rich in their desaturated loveliness. And your daughter is very cute, and bears some resemblance to you, now that I think of it. :) I think she has your forehead, and perhaps your jowles... although on the latter point I'm uncertain. *grin*
I love it
mandar: I suspect that a part of the reason for the sky looking as though it were a studio backdrop is that this shot (as is tomorrow's) is flash lit using a 420EX Speedlite and a Lumiquest Ultrabounce (a diffuser). What's great about the 420EX is that it has a high speed sync mode; i.e. it will work with any shutter speed. So I think it's the even lighting that gives the shot it's rather odd appearance.
Ready to conquer the world......
What an incredible strong photo you created with your choice of perspective!
what is not to love about this photo?
Great shot! Love it! =) And the sepia really suits it. Beautiful.
Thanks everyone.
Hey, the image showing up in the archive is the same as tomorrows. ;)
Very nice shot!!!!Like it very much.
Raym
http://home.deds.nl/~raym/
It reminds me the ad: Power is nothing without control' she is in control of the landscape (ocean and sky) you as usual in control of your camera. Amazing photo Dave! Congratulations.