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Okay, I managed to get something this morning! WooHoo! I've really been struggling with finding good areas in my own backyard for portraits. This is the side of our house. My struggle with these was getting them straight. Also, I struggle with leading lines. I can never tell if they're leading out or towards.

These were all a little overexposed SOOC, so I brought down the exposure a bit and brought down the highlights. 1/320 f/3.2 ISO200

#1

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7128/7...0a58488c_z.jpg

#2

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8297/7...fd0e8996_z.jpg

#3

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8281/7...648fd38a_z.jpg

Steph, these are great! Great spot, beautiful directional light, great leading lines. I love #1, and really LOVE #3 (such an awesome smile there!). #2 shows great 'tude ;) but doesn't entirely do it for me -- though it is beautifully exposed and composed, except for being a touch "tight" on the toes. I like the little extra room you have around the feet in #3.

Thanks! Yeah, that 'tude has been showing its face around here a bit too much for my liking. That boy really needs to start school. I can't believe the difference in his attitude this summer from what it was during the school year...

Sorry I didn't post on my day. We all came down with headcolds over the weekend.

Steph, I'd like to see #1 just a touch brighter (not too much)
I LOVE #2. I love the attitude and it is a definite keeper. Maybe a little tight around his feet but I am drawn to that face so it isn't a dealbreaker.

#3 Very cute! His face looks a little red. Not sure if it is cast from his top or if he was just hot :)

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ladybugsteph

I can't believe the difference in his attitude this summer from what it was during the school year...

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Really! So interesting that he's showing more 'tude out of school than in! :)

I was so hoping I'd have time/energy to process some shots from yesterday for posting, but I don't... but I do have a few from the weekend and swim lessons last week.

#1. Not sure if this one totally works. I love the concept, but I wish I had a different lens for this shot as I couldn't get the DoF I wanted. Struggled with the horizon. It looks crooked at the bottom, but the rest of the pool looks straight.
f/5.6, SS 1/320, ISO 4000 (light kept changing, I could've gone lower on this particular shot), FL 29mm.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8443/...9ce7506a_z.jpg

#2. Settings similar to #1. Photo is cropped to remove a "disembodied" arm against DD's arm, and since the focus was the teacher, I thought it would be better... but curious to hear thoughts on that. I just love the teacher's expression here!
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7256/...96157ce3_z.jpg

#3. f5.6, SS 1/250, ISO 2000 (very overcast!), FL 135mm.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7116/...d697fdf7_z.jpg

#4. f5.6, SS 1/640, ISO 2000, FL 135mm.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8308/...43295084_z.jpg

I LOVE your new siggy pic! You look stunning, and I love the way Nora is resting her head on your arm. Such a wonderful memory to have.

#1 - I really like this one. It would be a fantastic photo for the pool to have on their website/facebook. I think that the problem you're having with it being "crooked" is that you weren't head on with them. You were slightly angled from their backs, so it creates the illusion that you have a crooked photo. Next time you're taking a photo with lines that you know you want to be straight, be aware of where you're standing, and it should solve this problem :)

#2 - Hmm...it's funny, because I really like this one, but yet I feel like there's something a little off. I'm wondering if it needs a little straightening. Maybe try the original crop, straighten it, and then do some more cropping to remove the rest of the hand/arm you said was there. Again, this is a very nice shot!

#3 - Gosh, I love that smile! This one, for me not being her mom, it feels like a really good snap of her. I think it's the motion blur that's created, and the bright spots in the background.

#4 - You're really coming out of your shell with portraits, aren't you?? Good job here! Great eye contact, and smile! There just isn't much light in his eyes and the background is a little "busy". Exposure looks really good here.

Thanks for the comments, Steph. Coming out of my shell? Well, that'd be nice! I have a LONG ways to go, but I'm trying. :)

Re #1, a question: I was kneeling about 5 feet directly behind the instructor... Are you saying that I thought I was square, but I actually wasn't, and that's the problem? Just trying to clarify so I know how to do it next time.

#3, it was just a snap (kind of a flukey one at that), but I loved her "form" and thought the motion blur actually added a little something to it. But perhaps not?

I don't have much to add to Steph's comments, but here goes :)

#1 - It looks to me like, yes, you were directly behind the instructor, but maybe the camera was slightly angled. I don't know how to explain it well but I'll try. In the same way you can hold the camera and think it is straight horizontally, only to find your horizons crooked on closer inspection. I have found that, occasionally, I don't actually hold the camera 'square' enough to the subject. Whether it is that because I try and stand with my legs apart for greater balance that I end up with one shoulder slightly more forward, which makes one side of the camera slightly more forward than the other. In other cases it might just be that I am not holding the camera perfectly square to the subject. It is only a small difference and usually happens when I am caught up trying to capture something. The reason I say that, is that the result is often similar to what you have here. I am directly in line with the subject but my lines are all quite parallel.

#2 I am tempted to get you to clone out your daughters arm. I'd say crop in tighter but it is already pretty tight above her head. It doesn't worry me too much that her arm is cut, but if it wasn't there at all it wouldn't look strange either as the life jacket camoflages the angle of her shoulders. It would just look like her arm was in front of her and out of view. The white line on your son's jacket is a little distracting but that isn't your fault, just one of those things. What I like best is that the teacher is holding his hand and looks like he is really listening / really cares. That is lovely to have for them to look back on.

#3 The motion blur is good but the overall picture doesn't do much for me. I think it is one of those 'Mummy" shots. I know I would love it if it was one of mine.

#4 Great exposure, beautifully done.

Steph- I don't have much to add. Those are really spot on with color. I love them! #2 is a bit tight, but love the attitude!

Tracy-
1. I too think this is a great shot. The angle is throwing me off a tad, but not enough to toss it!
2. I happen to like this one. I think the light here is really great. The only issue is the crop seems tight on your daughter, but you already explained that.
3. LOVE her expression. The bright spots are too much though for me.
4. I agree, good exposure and color. Only issue is the horses hiney in the background! ;)