Many have asked how I achieved this photo, so I figured I'd better add it here too, for any who would like to know in the future.
Most of this effect was achieved in-camera, with very little post processing. I simply set up my home studio with a white paper roll for the background, one strobe and one reflector to fill in the shadows. I added anywhere from 2-4 stops of exposure compensation during shooting to get the high key effect. I did shoot in RAW to have more control over the final image.
Next, in Photoshop, I converted to JPEG, did a channel mixer adjustment layer to switch to b/w, then changed the mode to duotone and used a blue preset built in to photoshop. After resizing for the proper dimensions, I converted to Lab color and did a USM on the lightness layer, and then converted back to RGB color. And that's it!
Hopefully viewers will find this information useful. And as always, if any more information is desired, just PM me!
Scott
This is my 2-year old daughter. I originally started out trying to do those "high key" photos, in our makeshift studio, and then thought that I could probably make these work really well for a duotone image also.
I know I will get hit up on it, but yes, the flower is definitely fake. It's hard to find some nice flowers outside when there is snow on the ground and the temperature is around 5 degrees.
I did have tons of fun with this one, so even if it doesn't come near the top, it is one of my best in my eyes.
Being the vindictive soul I am, I ought to tell you about how much I dislike so much of the stuff going on in this shot - I mean, how twee do you want to get? And not only have you submitted one of the dreaded photographs of your children, you've even managed to include the equally-dreaded flower in it, and gone for a particulrly flattering approach too! What's even more annoying, you scored damn well with it!
You see, there's a difference between this kind of nearly-perfectly executed attempt to understand a style, and the kind of guff that lacks any self-consciousness that is so often submitted. I have to applaud you for trying, and succeeding so well. After a quick look around your portfolio and challenge entries I find it hard to believe that this is your highest placed shot - unless you're deliberately trying to achieve the remarkable feat of collected every place from 11 to 20 before breaking in to the stars, HM's and ribbons world ;-)
There are a couple of things I would have considered; firstly, should this really be a landscape format shot? Certainly it works, and even lends a strength compositionally, but would that necessarily be lost with a change of format? I'm unsure, but it would have been my first approach (not that I'm any great shakes as a portrait photographer). Secondly, for all the high-key-ness of it, I wonder if you might happily have taken the shadows a little further to shade? I feel it might have served to emphasise the smoothness of complexion a bit more, bring a touch more depth to it all. I'm not talking about all the way to black, but just a little further ...
There seems, on a minor technical note, to be something not quite right around the eyelashes; but it isn't enough to spoil a very accomplished photograph. I would think you'd be very pleased with the outcome. I'm looking forward to seeing more from you in future challenges ...
It's one of my favorites too! Beautifully done! A photo that will be treasured long after the challenge is forgotten! Your little model just couldn't be more adorable!!! Congratulations on 11th place!
congrats on a fine photo and great finish. this was one of my ribbon picks for the challenge... thought you captured just the essence of the subject, her expression perfect, the hi key treatment added to the soft dreamlike feel.
Very nice shot - a technique my wife has been trying to master and is just about there so I know the hard work that has gone into this - well done you should win with this.
for me, everything about this shot works...the little girl has delicate features, the petals on the flower are delicate... the color/tone of this photo is delicate..... very very well done
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