Brotherly Love

[Gina]

Hi all,

Please could you give me some critique on this shot if you get a mo. Cheers

[Ian]

Re: Brotherly Love

Hi all,

Please could you give me some critique on this shot if you get a mo. Cheers

Very nice all round I think - great expressions and a nice relaxed pose. If there is anything I would ask, it's how would this work in high key with a white backround instea of the black? I know the white is a rather over-used technique, but it might be nice to contrast and compare.

Ian

[coupekid]

Re: Brotherly Love

Hi Gina,

I think it is a super shot, and I too would like to see a white background, not that the black doesnt work, but purely out of interest to see if white would look better.

I dont, however, like the border, the blue doesnt compliment the mono picture. I think a simple black, white, black border would look better.

[Jocelyn Walker]

Re: Brotherly Love

A really nice, natural portrait you have there! I would've cropped it a tad more on the right and used a white or light grey border! Well captured!

[cowcrzy06]

Re: Brotherly Love

Gina,

I like the pose the most about this shot. The blue border/frame compliments it very nicely.I wouldn't change a thing.

[Gina]

Re: Brotherly Love

Thank you for your feedback and so fast - don;t you people work?? (just kiddin')

The boys are my stepsons and we had fun taking photos yesterday afternoon. I bought them a black and white t shirt each and have a b&w backdrop so combined the mono element. The shots with the white backdrop didn't work out as good as the black, mainly due to the poor lighting. Ive just invested in the canon 430EX flash which helped but not as much as a softbox etc.

Here's one with the white background, it's a tight crop. I can't get the colour balance quite right.



Incidentally, the blue line in the first shot was white but the boys wanted blue for their mum!

Thanks for your kind feedback.

Gina

[Patrick]

Re: Brotherly Love

Thank you for your feedback and so fast - don;t you people work?? (just kiddin')

The boys are my stepsons and we had fun taking photos yesterday afternoon. I bought them a black and white t shirt each and have a b&w backdrop so combined the mono element. The shots with the white backdrop didn't work out as good as the black, mainly due to the poor lighting. Ive just invested in the canon 430EX flash which helped but not as much as a softbox etc.

Here's one with the white background, it's a tight crop. I can't get the colour balance quite right.



Incidentally, the blue line in the first shot was white but the boys wanted blue for their mum!

Thanks for your kind feedback.

Gina

White backgrounds have a habit of coming out grey/blue unless they are lite independently, so really you would need two flash guns, one for subject and one for the background. Even then its better if the correct exposure for the subject overexposes for the backdrop.

Patrick

[Stephen]

Re: Brotherly Love

Gina, I think its a lovely photo, I looked at the composites you posted in your gallery too and like them. I think you have done a pretty good job with what appear to be limited resources. In your circumstances I suspect the black works best. The problem with a white b/g is that you need to light it, which means putting some flash on it at a slightly higher output to the flash you are using for the subject. This ensures that you get a clean white b/g

I'll bet their mother loves these pics. Perhaps a Christmas present from the boys??

[peter]

Re: Brotherly Love

Hi Gina

Love the first one makes me want to do something like that with my boys.
Hope you do not mind but I quickly had a play with your last one and played with it in levels this is what I came up with. Again sorry if you are not happy with me playing with your photo.

[Gina]

[coupekid]

Re: Brotherly Love

Couple of options Gina:

http://www.bowens.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=308

or, on a lighter note.....

[ame]http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=eik8iWX97pc[/ame]

[Stephen]

Re: Brotherly Love

Gina, as with most things, it pays to go that extra yard and get decent kit. I can highly recommend the Elinchron D-Lite kit from the Flash Centre
Its a lightweight kit with 2 flash heads, stands and softboxes + a sync lead. All you need for a home studio flash setup. As you will see though its a bit more than your current budget

[cowcrzy06]

Re: Brotherly Love

Gina,

You are a fabulous photographer. I truly believe you have nothing to worry about! Practice with friends. I do that when I have an Idea i want to try. I also try to corner my own kids! here is an example of my practice session with my 13 year old And SHE chose the framing & lettering placement which made her day! Personally I didn't like this picture but she did, And I guess that is all that counts!

[Pops]

Re: Brotherly Love

For what it's worth the only thing I would change would be the blue border for a white one.
I reckon a white background would not look at all right. The arms would get completely lost and in fact I can't visualise any other colour having the same impact.
Great looking boys by the way

[Blithe]

Re: Brotherly Love

Super natural photograph with great expressions, that do not look posed. The black background puts all the emphasis just where it should be, and works for me. I agree with others that a more neutral line in the border would be better, but the photograph is certainly alive.