I've put this shot up because a) it's somewhat different from my usual stuff, and b) it was right on the edge of my abilities to produce. Some of my favourite shots on chromasia were technically quite easy: take a non-moving object, under near ideal lighting, and spend a couple of minutes thinking about the composition - easy ;-) This shot, on the other hand, was taken at 1/30s (but should have been faster), at ISO 1600 (which wasn't ideal), and the original was in portrait format when I should have gone for a landscape shot. But, I think, it just about works (mind you, I'm a bit biased, as it's of our daughters at the wedding I shot last weekend).
I guess the biggest mistake I made with this shot, though it's just about rectified by cropping it square, was with the composition. Because this was of our daughters I focussed on them, but what makes this photograph is the reaction of those around them rather than our children themselves, and in this sense I think a landscape shot would probably have captured more of the scene.
Anyway, let me know what you think as I often find it difficult to be objective about the shots I take of our children.
capture date camera lens focal length aperture shutter speed shooting mode exposure bias metering mode ISO flash image quality white balance cropped?
3.09pm on 16/10/04
Canon 20D
EF 17-40 f/4L USM
40mm (64mm equiv.)
f4.0
1/30
aperture priority
+0.0
evaluative
1600
no
RAW
auto
yes
comment byAndy at 11:50 PM (GMT) on 22 October, 2004
It's the expressions on the faces of the kids that really make this shot! You've captured the mood the moment superbly. A really fun image, packed with life!
comment bymiklos at 12:29 AM (GMT) on 23 October, 2004
Looking at the technical aspect of the shot, surely there are a few areas where you could've improved. Such as the bright lighting behind the girl that's carrying (what I assume is) wine (I'm not too good with knowing customs of churches and weddings..) as well as the focus throughout the shot. Cropping it to this proportion is not bad because we see the expression of enough people to get the idea. I understand that you were probably focused on capturing your daughters more than anything else, which is perfectly natural. If it had been any other children maybe you would've looked around a bit more to see what you are framing.
Bottom line, the moment is beautifully captured, as it is a priceless one, your children are adorable, and for what it's worth, I think you shouldn't be too worried about this photo.
comment byCarlo at 02:03 AM (GMT) on 23 October, 2004
The tones are superb and moody. Yes, had it been a landscape it could have possibly been even better. But it's really a great shot that speaks of cozyness and warmth to me.
Dave, as far as I'm concerned you're half right. I think Andy holds the other half: The children themselves are priceless, especially the baby. The adult's reactions are interesting too. But what really does it for me is the meeting of the two: your youngest daughter and the woman in glasses, sharing mutual fascination. Very touching.
You have beautiful children. Glad to see them making another appearance in your photos.
comment byMarina at 10:40 AM (GMT) on 23 October, 2004
For me it's a really good picture (again!). Mostly there are some things which can be improved - e.g. to see what is going on on the left side - because it would be a nice frame to see the people who are sitting there as well.
comment byNazanin at 10:44 AM (GMT) on 23 October, 2004
Very sweet :)
Love the expressions of faces in the photo, all of them are interesting
comment by Joan at 02:20 PM (GMT) on 23 October, 2004
Beautiful darlings in a love filled photo.
comment bySilas at 03:10 PM (GMT) on 23 October, 2004
Honestly, I think you worry too much about this picture. Though, your comment only made this photo even more interesting, because what I really understand from all of this is you love your children and that made you forget the technical aspects of photograph for a moment. And that's what I apreciate the most in this picture.
(Sorry for my english, it's not my first language.)
comment by peterv at 06:46 PM (GMT) on 23 October, 2004
You didn't need to capture more of the scene. This, for me, is just about the best composed shot you've put up since I've been following your site. The only thing that detracts for me is the slightly distracting highlight on the beam above. I agree with Alec about the centre of interest. Fabulous.
Nice thing about digital being able to switch ISO at the touch of a button, I suppose? Jealousy creeping in!
comment byBob at 07:10 PM (GMT) on 23 October, 2004
Dave -- I love this shot -- it's so ... well, so England! -- The girls look great -- and I love all the expressions in the crowd... well done!
comment by Jim at 03:14 PM (GMT) on 24 October, 2004
I think the photo could be improved by completely cropping the left pews which, for me at least, distract from the focus of the picture -- the interacion between the youngest child and the woman in the glasses. You lose some context, but it seems more balanced to me -- particularly with the icon on the back wall.
Dave your work is gorgous and has inspired me to go digital as soon as I can afford a decent camera!
comment byZishaan at 04:10 AM (GMT) on 19 November, 2004
Oh this is a shot! A quick moment seized. Look at the ladies on the right, not to mention the lovely ones in the centre ;-). And is that your wife in the background?
I've put this shot up because a) it's somewhat different from my usual stuff, and b) it was right on the edge of my abilities to produce. Some of my favourite shots on chromasia were technically quite easy: take a non-moving object, under near ideal lighting, and spend a couple of minutes thinking about the composition - easy ;-) This shot, on the other hand, was taken at 1/30s (but should have been faster), at ISO 1600 (which wasn't ideal), and the original was in portrait format when I should have gone for a landscape shot. But, I think, it just about works (mind you, I'm a bit biased, as it's of our daughters at the wedding I shot last weekend).
I guess the biggest mistake I made with this shot, though it's just about rectified by cropping it square, was with the composition. Because this was of our daughters I focussed on them, but what makes this photograph is the reaction of those around them rather than our children themselves, and in this sense I think a landscape shot would probably have captured more of the scene.
Anyway, let me know what you think as I often find it difficult to be objective about the shots I take of our children.
camera
lens
focal length
aperture
shutter speed
shooting mode
exposure bias
metering mode
ISO
flash
image quality
white balance
cropped?
Canon 20D
EF 17-40 f/4L USM
40mm (64mm equiv.)
f4.0
1/30
aperture priority
+0.0
evaluative
1600
no
RAW
auto
yes
It's the expressions on the faces of the kids that really make this shot! You've captured the mood the moment superbly. A really fun image, packed with life!
Andy Bannister
orama photoblog
Looking at the technical aspect of the shot, surely there are a few areas where you could've improved. Such as the bright lighting behind the girl that's carrying (what I assume is) wine (I'm not too good with knowing customs of churches and weddings..) as well as the focus throughout the shot. Cropping it to this proportion is not bad because we see the expression of enough people to get the idea. I understand that you were probably focused on capturing your daughters more than anything else, which is perfectly natural. If it had been any other children maybe you would've looked around a bit more to see what you are framing.
Bottom line, the moment is beautifully captured, as it is a priceless one, your children are adorable, and for what it's worth, I think you shouldn't be too worried about this photo.
The tones are superb and moody. Yes, had it been a landscape it could have possibly been even better. But it's really a great shot that speaks of cozyness and warmth to me.
Dave, as far as I'm concerned you're half right. I think Andy holds the other half: The children themselves are priceless, especially the baby. The adult's reactions are interesting too. But what really does it for me is the meeting of the two: your youngest daughter and the woman in glasses, sharing mutual fascination. Very touching.
You have beautiful children. Glad to see them making another appearance in your photos.
For me it's a really good picture (again!). Mostly there are some things which can be improved - e.g. to see what is going on on the left side - because it would be a nice frame to see the people who are sitting there as well.
Very sweet :)
Love the expressions of faces in the photo, all of them are interesting
Beautiful darlings in a love filled photo.
Honestly, I think you worry too much about this picture. Though, your comment only made this photo even more interesting, because what I really understand from all of this is you love your children and that made you forget the technical aspects of photograph for a moment. And that's what I apreciate the most in this picture.
(Sorry for my english, it's not my first language.)
You didn't need to capture more of the scene. This, for me, is just about the best composed shot you've put up since I've been following your site. The only thing that detracts for me is the slightly distracting highlight on the beam above. I agree with Alec about the centre of interest. Fabulous.
Nice thing about digital being able to switch ISO at the touch of a button, I suppose? Jealousy creeping in!
Dave -- I love this shot -- it's so ... well, so England! -- The girls look great -- and I love all the expressions in the crowd... well done!
I think the photo could be improved by completely cropping the left pews which, for me at least, distract from the focus of the picture -- the interacion between the youngest child and the woman in the glasses. You lose some context, but it seems more balanced to me -- particularly with the icon on the back wall.
Dave your work is gorgous and has inspired me to go digital as soon as I can afford a decent camera!
Oh this is a shot! A quick moment seized. Look at the ladies on the right, not to mention the lovely ones in the centre ;-). And is that your wife in the background?