More of Kylie's Senior Portraits - "Studio" Shots I'm DONE - last ones post 13

[DVC Jen]

Yesterday was a challenge! It took me a while to get the hang of it. I took about 40 photos - went to look at them and tossed ALL OF THEM. Turned out DH had been playing with my camera and had changed some settings - and didn't tell me. So my ISO was set at 1600. :sad2: Then I couldn't get the lighting right - and that darn canon 50mm lens does NOT like me.

So - later - last night - I tried again. I ended up switching lenses halfway through because of the focusing issues I have had with the 50mm. I finished up using my Sigma 28-70 f/2.8-4 and they were MUCH sharper.

Just a warning - there are quite a few pics here. Emily also wanted in on the action and I couldn't NOT post my favorites of her too. And there is one of my girls together that I LOVE!

In a lil while we are going to do the last set - with the black background.

OK - here are the ones of Kylie

http://jenniferd.smugmug.com/photos/135755093-M.jpg

http://jenniferd.smugmug.com/photos/135755122-L.jpg

http://jenniferd.smugmug.com/photos/135755155-M.jpg

The next one took FOREVER and I am still not 100% happy with the full color version. She was exhausted and so was I and you can tell.
http://jenniferd.smugmug.com/photos/135755193-L.jpg

While looking at her expression - I thought it kinda looked like those old fashioned photos when people did not smile. So I did this (old paper filter)with it.. and I like it much better.
http://jenniferd.smugmug.com/photos/135755248-L.jpg

OK - here is the one of my girls together.
http://jenniferd.smugmug.com/photos/135756122-M.jpg

And my favorites of our youngest - Emily
http://jenniferd.smugmug.com/photos/135753997-L.jpg

http://jenniferd.smugmug.com/photos/135753936-L.jpg

OK that is it from last night.

What do ya think?

[jann1033]

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:
i really like the second shot .she looks very relaxed nice smile..great shot imo

i also really like 1 and the last one but wonder if you softened them just slightly if i'd like them even better since they both are kind of "dreamy"( not really the word i want) and think they would look great softened just a bit.,,or just a bit more if you already softened them some...and not sure what the white elastic-y looking thing is around her neck in the last one( that could be my being totally out of touch with teen fashion though:lmao: )

[DVC Jen]

and not sure what the white elastic-y looking thing is around her neck in the last one( that could be my being totally out of touch with teen fashion though:lmao: )


:lmao: :rotfl: :rotfl2:

If I could get that off of Emily's neck I would so do it in a heartbeat. She cut a slice out of an old pair of her ballet tights -and now wears it as a choker. She has had this thing on for about 2 years now.

:sad2: It's kinda one of those pick yer battle things. :confused3

[jann1033]

:lmao: :rotfl: :rotfl2:

If I could get that off of Emily's neck I would so do it in a heartbeat. She cut a slice out of an old pair of her ballet tights -and now wears it as a choker. She has had this thing on for about 2 years now.

:sad2: It's kinda one of those pick yer battle things. :confused3

:rotfl: :rotfl: well at least she's creative....and it doesn't say "fruit of the loom or BVD" on it :rotfl: :rotfl:

[sk8belle]

I think the first one is just gorgeous. The second is my next favorite. She's just got all sorts of attitude (in a good way!) in it - very sassy looking.

[handicap18]

Excellent job Jennifer!!! Be proud of yourself. These portraits of your daughter have come out great. For someone who dosen't like the camera, she has done a great job of posing and working with you.

Very impressive. Keep up the great work!

[tinksdad]

GREAT JOB!!

So what's your opinion of "studio portrait photography" now!! I like #1 & #2 a lot!

The mirror shots could use some repositioning of the lights. A little to "flat" on her back and hair. Looks like you got some glare from the lights on the lens.

The "jewelry" on Emily isn't particularly attactive and detracts from the shot. But, as you say...... pick your battles. See what she thinks of them.

[DVC Jen]

I totally agree about the mirror shots. We battled and battled and battled with those and the lights. It was midnight, I had my husband holding one light, Emily holding another and I was squished between the wall and the ladder I was standing on. LOL

I tried though - I really tried. ;)

I really don't think that photo will make the final cut - but that is OK. :confused3

Right now I am waiting for the Canon EOS Utility to get the files off my card from what we did this afternoon.

I am not sure how these will turn out - but it was the most fun we have had yet. I think both of my girls (even Emily and the bad "jewelry") are warming up to the camera and I am getting more confident.

[fitzperry]

:lmao: :rotfl: :rotfl2:

If I could get that off of Emily's neck I would so do it in a heartbeat. She cut a slice out of an old pair of her ballet tights -and now wears it as a choker. She has had this thing on for about 2 years now.

:sad2: It's kinda one of those pick yer battle things. :confused3

Gotta love the ingenuity at least. My 7yo took a couple of bobby pins, looped ponytail holders through them, clipped them to her ears and wore them around for a weekend because we won't let her get her ears pierced. :lmao: I've got to think that was pretty uncomfortable.

You're doing a great job with these. The one of both girls in the cowboy hats is my fave! The second one of your older dd is also very nice.

[Lizziejane]

WOW!! Great shots Jen, I too love the first one, and I love the 2nd from last, of Emily! Even I (as a newbie) can see the difference in these latest shots compared to your first set. I think the girls are getting more comfortable in front of the camera and it shows. Way to go!

So how on earth did you convince them to play along with you?! My boys run for cover (and I mean RUN!) when I open the camera bag. I'm actually getting quite depressed about it.

[spoon2003]

Jenn,
You are getting better with each sitting and Kylie seems more relax as well :thumbsup2 I love the first one, great balance of color and great expression. Like the one with both girls too.

Sue

[DVC Jen]

So how on earth did you convince them to play along with you?! My boys run for cover (and I mean RUN!) when I open the camera bag. I'm actually getting quite depressed about it.


Bribery! ;) Just Kidding.

Kylie knew she had to do it because these are her senior pics. Emily on the other hand posted two photos that I had taken when I was doing practice shots on her My Space and she has been getting a lot of compliments from her friends. So that just played in my favor.

I also think girls might be more willing than boys. They get to "play" model for a lil while - and what teenaged girl doesn't like that?

[DVC Jen]

These are the last of them - taken this afternoon. Now we just have to go through all that I have and pick our favorites for printing.

http://jenniferd.smugmug.com/photos/135857564-L.jpg

http://jenniferd.smugmug.com/photos/135857468-L.jpg

http://jenniferd.smugmug.com/photos/135857517-L.jpg

and my favorite of all of them...
http://jenniferd.smugmug.com/photos/135857613-M.jpg

two of Emily

http://jenniferd.smugmug.com/photos/135858020-L.jpg

http://jenniferd.smugmug.com/photos/135857943-L.jpg

that was a lot of work - but worth every second of it. I learned sooo much.

Thank you - all of you who helped me along each step. I couldn't have done this without all of your help and advice. :goodvibes

[tinksdad]

I think you should be proud!!! It is a lot of work. Frustrating and madding, but your results speak for themselves!!

Nice Job!!:thumbsup2 :banana: :woohoo:

[DVC Jen]

I think you should be proud!!! It is a lot of work. Frustrating and madding, but your results speak for themselves!!

Nice Job!!:thumbsup2 :banana: :woohoo:

Thanks. I am excited about them. Now I can't wait to see them in print.

I am not sure who suggested mpix.com, but I checked them out - and had one photo printed out in an 8x10 to see the quality. It came back to day and is really nice - so I am going to figure out what I need and order from there.

To whomever it was who suggested mpix.com.... THANKS!!

[sk8belle]

I think the third one from the top in this latest batch is the best one yet. She looks SO relaxed, and her smile looks very spontaneous and natural. The colors in the photo work well together.

Great work, DVC Jen! They're lucky to have such a patient mom like you.

[manning]

THIS is a great portrait shot for three reasons

1. It is a tight shot. She fills the frame

2 This is a perfect example of the rule of thirds. She is in the upper third AND she is looking into the center of the picture.

3. I believe you found the photogenic angle of her face. Everyone has a perect portrait angle. This looks like it.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q249/lincoln30/kylie1.jpg

I used PS elements 3 to clone out the ribbon around her neck. Create a background layer. If you make a mistake all you have to do is delete the layer and create another one. I used the clone brush with a 47 % opacity Just keep brushing over the ribbon until it is completey gone. On the left side of the neck I used around 18-24 pixel size and when I got to the right side of the neck I was using 6 pixel size. The clone target was just under the ribbon.

Hope this helps.

[jann1033]

you've done some great work here! make sure you post which ones you end up using..inquiring minds want to know:lmao:

[2angelsinheaven]

Beautiful work. For the "studio" shots did you rent one or are those taken at your home? I love the ones with the black backgrounds. Very nice.

[DVC Jen]

THIS is a great portrait shot for three reasons

1. It is a tight shot. She fills the frame

2 This is a perfect example of the rule of thirds. She is in the upper third AND she is looking into the center of the picture.

3. I believe you found the photogenic angle of her face. Everyone has a perect portrait angle. This looks like it.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q249/lincoln30/kylie1.jpg

I used PS elements 3 to clone out the ribbon around her neck. Create a background layer. If you make a mistake all you have to do is delete the layer and create another one. I used the clone brush with a 47 % opacity Just keep brushing over the ribbon until it is completey gone. On the left side of the neck I used around 18-24 pixel size and when I got to the right side of the neck I was using 6 pixel size. The clone target was just under the ribbon.

Hope this helps.


thanks :) That is my youngest daughter.. she is only 13 so I wasn't worried too much about her photos being "picture perfect" and really the only time I spent with photoshop on hers was to get any blemishes out. She was for the most part "playing model" while her older sister was changing.

Kylie my oldest is getting more comfortable in front of the camera but is still very stiff when compared to her younger sister (the one in that pic). But Emily has been "in the spotlight" a lot and is more used to it. she has been in dance for 11 years and has been in competitive dance for about 5 years. She is naturally a ham so it is much easier to get better photos of her.

I wish I could have gotten shots like that of Kylie too - but because of her hydrocephalus she has never felt comfortable lying on her back. I am not sure why - and or why the hydrocephalus affects her that way - but it always has.

I was straddling Emily - leaning over her when I took that photo. I think I could spend hours and hours just taking pics of Emily because she is so easy and has as much fun at it (well almost) as I do.

[DVC Jen]

Thanks Jann - I will definately let you know. :)

Twoangelsinheaven - they were taken at home - in my living room. We used a large picture style window we have - and hung a blanket over the window and drapes first to block out all the light - then hung up the black sheet over that - using the drapery rods and staples (Yikes I know - but we are painting the rest of this week so we can "patch" up those holes). then the white sheet. I used the white sheet first and then just pulled the black one over the white. I also had another white and black sheet to put on the floor. We have a door that leads to the backyard right beside the window, so I had a blanket hanging over the window in that door (the entire length of the door) to block out that light.

I also had my two studio umbrella lights that I bought in a kit - they helped tremendously.

[manning]

If she tends to stiffen up in front of a camera have you tried the candid approach. I have used this technique with great success. Often times they get engrossed in what they are doing and all their beauty comes out, inner and outer. They relaxe and become themselves.

Stand off and use a tele lense. Let them forget you are there. If I remember you have a dog. Have interact (play) with it.

[spoon2003]

Jen,
Another great set, I like the one of Kylie lying down on her stomach the best. She looks so natural with a beautiful smile.

Sue

[Shifletjl]

Thanks for sharing this experience. You have inspired me to try my hand at portraiture. It was a lot of work, but you got some really great pictures of your girls. I will give it a try myself. Thanks!