Say hello to Mattie. Mattie is 12 and loves to climb trees. Consequently, two of the photos she most favors are in trees! This is the loop lighting that David Ziser discussed in his seminar in late May here in Houston. Light on both cheeks with a shadow from the nose. I don't have it perfected here as there is slightly too much shadow, but Ziser says he strives for this type of lighting on 90% of his portraits.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Mattie
Say hello to Mattie. Mattie is 12 and loves to climb trees. Consequently, two of the photos she most favors are in trees! This is the loop lighting that David Ziser discussed in his seminar in late May here in Houston. Light on both cheeks with a shadow from the nose. I don't have it perfected here as there is slightly too much shadow, but Ziser says he strives for this type of lighting on 90% of his portraits.
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4 comments:
Nice shot Shirley. It almost makes me want to breakdown and try some portraits of my own!
This is a great composition of Mattie. But as Mattie is up a tree and you are almost on eye level with her, how on earth did you manage a flash and a camera without falling out of the tree (or ladder)??? I agree the shadows are a bit harsh on her face, maybe the next time you try this you can use that other arm you weren't using and hold a reflector to soften them a bit :). I really like how the leaves frame her and the great sky.
There are a lot of things this portrait has going for it--strong composition with the two opposing lines being formed by the arm and tree branch, the soft gentle smile of the subject and an environment that tells something about her. However, there are three things that I wonder about: do you need that much room to her left (it doesn't seen to fit with the rest of the image); would a little softer light made this a more appealing image; and, (not showing all of a person's head does not usually bother, but) do the leaves in front of her head help or hurt the overall image. Have not really made-up my mind on these items.
Your portrait work is getting quite good.
Thanks for the comments. I noticed the leaves in front of her forehead and hesitated but in the end liked the framing effect. This tree is at a 45 degree angle in my back yard....listing more than ever to the right since Hurricane Ike. A simple chair can put her up there and with me standing right under her able to touch almost her knee I can get this effect.
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