While I find all of our daughters photogenic this is the one I have most trouble photographing, but I don't know why. For some reason nearly all the shots I take of her just don't look like her at all. This one though, I'm pleased with.
As for the technical details: this is mostly as-shot, but I added an additional Gaussian blurred layer (blurred by 15px on the hi-res image) set to Soft Light blend mode (around 35% opacity). This adds a bit more contrast, more deeply saturated colours, and a slight diffuse quality to the shot.
capture date camera lens focal length aperture shutter speed shooting mode exposure bias metering mode ISO flash image quality RAW converter cropped?
9.14pm on 17/12/04
Canon 20D
EF 70-200 f/4L USM
200mm (320mm equiv.)
f/4.0
1/125
shutter priority
+0.0
evaluative
100
580EX
RAW
DPP
no
comment by josh at 11:28 PM (GMT) on 17 December, 2004
That cat does not look entirely happy with being held for the picture.
comment bydjn1 at 11:31 PM (GMT) on 17 December, 2004
josh: no, he doesn't. There are two problems with this shot. First: the cat's expression. He was happy, but didn't look it. Second: my daughter's finger in the bottom-left corner is a bit distracting, but I couldn't crop it out without wrecking the shot. Other that that though, I like it, not least because I've taken about 100 shots of her this week and they've all been terrible ;-)
comment byRaminok at 12:16 AM (GMT) on 18 December, 2004
This is just wonderful!!!
makes you rethink, out of your habits. I could easily call this photo "Two species from earth". The details are amazing. Love it.
comment byChelsea June at 12:21 AM (GMT) on 18 December, 2004
I think it's a wonderful shot- it shows emotion, one from the girl looking perfectly content with her cat (who certainly is not amused). Great capture.
comment by max at 07:00 AM (GMT) on 18 December, 2004
? ??? ??????.
comment bydjn1 at 08:00 AM (GMT) on 18 December, 2004
max: care to elaborate?
comment byJesse at 08:06 AM (GMT) on 18 December, 2004
I like the depth of colors in this photo. The word "saturation" gets its greatest display in this sort of case. I appreciate your technical steps in addition to simply the pictures.
comment by peterv at 08:42 AM (GMT) on 18 December, 2004
Yes thanks for the technical details. Always been foxed by those blending modes. Must try it for myself!
Like the way the eyes are alligned.
comment byJerome at 09:49 AM (GMT) on 18 December, 2004
max said:
? ??? ??????.
I believe those are Asian characters (see his domain nate.com) that do not render properly without the correct translation module.
comment bydjn1 at 10:11 AM (GMT) on 18 December, 2004
Thanks max, I suspect that's the case.
comment by crex at 10:17 AM (GMT) on 18 December, 2004
When first looking at this picture I thought it was a young boy and a cat, especially since you "removed" her hair. The cat looks not entirely happy, even though it might be. I realize taking pictures of animals is very hard. The stressed look of the cat makes the photo not as calm as I presume you wanted it. Otherwise, the composition is good and I like the color tone.
comment by Henry at 10:26 AM (GMT) on 18 December, 2004
it's too dark
comment bydjn1 at 11:28 AM (GMT) on 18 December, 2004
Henry: try calibrating your monitor. Ideally you should be able to distinguish between all 26 boxes in the middle row of the following:
comment bymagnus at 12:02 PM (GMT) on 18 December, 2004
sorry henry, canīt agree with you. I think itīs a beautiful capture of, as someone mentioned earler, two emotions.
comment by Dana Ross Martin at 02:57 PM (GMT) on 18 December, 2004
My first time here. Wonderful portfolio of work!
Am thinking of purchasing a Canon 20d. What one lens (for starters) would you suggest?
16-35mm?
I think some places also offer package deals with a 18-something lens.
Your guidance is appreciated.
comment byriff at 04:50 PM (GMT) on 18 December, 2004
Oddly enough, I'd say this photo looks like it hasn't been postprocessed at all. Very natural, and I love the cat's 'leggo of meee' expression :D
comment bydjn1 at 06:03 PM (GMT) on 18 December, 2004
Dana: thanks.
As for suggesting one lens; I'd go for the 17-40 f/4L rather than the 16-35 f/2.8L. Unless you absolutely need the extra stop of light, the 17-40 is half the price, sharper, and generally gets better reviews. Also, it's effective focal length of 27-64mm is, IMO, slightly more useful than the 16-35s equivalent focal range of 26-56mm. Oh, and with the money you save you could get hold of the 70-200 f/4L too ;-)
comment by t at 05:41 AM (GMT) on 20 December, 2004
i think the finger is essential! it adds an air of immediacy to the shot. w/o the finger it would look too staged.
While I find all of our daughters photogenic this is the one I have most trouble photographing, but I don't know why. For some reason nearly all the shots I take of her just don't look like her at all. This one though, I'm pleased with.
As for the technical details: this is mostly as-shot, but I added an additional Gaussian blurred layer (blurred by 15px on the hi-res image) set to Soft Light blend mode (around 35% opacity). This adds a bit more contrast, more deeply saturated colours, and a slight diffuse quality to the shot.
camera
lens
focal length
aperture
shutter speed
shooting mode
exposure bias
metering mode
ISO
flash
image quality
RAW converter
cropped?
Canon 20D
EF 70-200 f/4L USM
200mm (320mm equiv.)
f/4.0
1/125
shutter priority
+0.0
evaluative
100
580EX
RAW
DPP
no
That cat does not look entirely happy with being held for the picture.
josh: no, he doesn't. There are two problems with this shot. First: the cat's expression. He was happy, but didn't look it. Second: my daughter's finger in the bottom-left corner is a bit distracting, but I couldn't crop it out without wrecking the shot. Other that that though, I like it, not least because I've taken about 100 shots of her this week and they've all been terrible ;-)
This is just wonderful!!!
makes you rethink, out of your habits. I could easily call this photo "Two species from earth". The details are amazing. Love it.
I think it's a wonderful shot- it shows emotion, one from the girl looking perfectly content with her cat (who certainly is not amused). Great capture.
? ??? ??????.
max: care to elaborate?
I like the depth of colors in this photo. The word "saturation" gets its greatest display in this sort of case. I appreciate your technical steps in addition to simply the pictures.
Yes thanks for the technical details. Always been foxed by those blending modes. Must try it for myself!
Like the way the eyes are alligned.
max said:
I believe those are Asian characters (see his domain nate.com) that do not render properly without the correct translation module.
Thanks max, I suspect that's the case.
When first looking at this picture I thought it was a young boy and a cat, especially since you "removed" her hair. The cat looks not entirely happy, even though it might be. I realize taking pictures of animals is very hard. The stressed look of the cat makes the photo not as calm as I presume you wanted it. Otherwise, the composition is good and I like the color tone.
it's too dark
Henry: try calibrating your monitor. Ideally you should be able to distinguish between all 26 boxes in the middle row of the following:
sorry henry, canīt agree with you. I think itīs a beautiful capture of, as someone mentioned earler, two emotions.
My first time here. Wonderful portfolio of work!
Am thinking of purchasing a Canon 20d. What one lens (for starters) would you suggest?
16-35mm?
I think some places also offer package deals with a 18-something lens.
Your guidance is appreciated.
Oddly enough, I'd say this photo looks like it hasn't been postprocessed at all. Very natural, and I love the cat's 'leggo of meee' expression :D
Dana: thanks.
As for suggesting one lens; I'd go for the 17-40 f/4L rather than the 16-35 f/2.8L. Unless you absolutely need the extra stop of light, the 17-40 is half the price, sharper, and generally gets better reviews. Also, it's effective focal length of 27-64mm is, IMO, slightly more useful than the 16-35s equivalent focal range of 26-56mm. Oh, and with the money you save you could get hold of the 70-200 f/4L too ;-)
i think the finger is essential! it adds an air of immediacy to the shot. w/o the finger it would look too staged.
WOW, it's very nice photo :) How do you do this photo? You always take photo in right moment. ;-)