I met the youngest on (on the right) at my son's religion class. Her parents were there too. I thought, what awesome eyes! I was talking to the parents after class when her sister (the one in the middle) came over. I though, wow, 2 beautiful children, I need to keep them in mind for the right challenge. Then the oldest daughter (on the left) walked up. I couldn't stand it anymore and mustered up the courage to ask if their daughters would pose for me if I gave them a free print. I didn't have Mary, my wife, with me, to comfirm that I wasn't some sort of weirdo. They seemed receptive to the idea, so I gave them the URL to my profile age and told them to have a look. Their mother emailed me the next day and we set up the shoot for Sunday. I went to their house on Saturday to scope out the best shooting position and look how the light was in the morning.
They have a swing hanging from a tree in their front yard with the green foliage behind it. Perfect! Dappeled sunlight through the tree, a little back lit too.
They are thrilled with the photo.
I used a reflector and a flash to bring out those amazing eyes.
Open in RAW
crop
edit eyes a little
select BG and desat a little
Cloned out a hot spot in the BG
Shafow/Highlight on the white tops to bring out detail
Lots of little touch ups
size
USM
border Save for Web
I like this as much as my Natural Light Portrait that won the red ribbon. I hope this one does as well.
Post challenge - WOW on the front page with Shannon and Jorge, doesn't get any better than that!!!
Thanks everyone!
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Place: 1 out of 86 Avg (all users): 7.4400 Avg (commenters): 8.6591 Avg (participants): 6.8333 Avg (non-participants): 7.5156 Views since voting: 15334 Views during voting: 806 Votes: 325 Comments: 92 Favorites: 35 (view)
I didn't have Mary, my wife, with me, to comfirm that I wasn't some sort of weirdo.
Would she really confirm that?? :P
Well, we were at church, so I hope she'd back me up! ;-)
I can not tell what an odd feeling it is to walk up to people you don't really know very well and say, "You have beautiful daughters! Is it OK if I take their picture and put it up on the Internet?"
This is one of the most haunting and amazing portraits I have ever seen. The lighting, the facial expressions... and those eyes! If those were my daughters, I'd pay top money to hang this on my wall. You have captured something those kids and their family will treasure forever..
Congrats David. I hope those that read your notes will take note of your meticulous attention to detail. You didn't just settle for a good shot but something even better, which you most certainly achieved.
Congrats on the win, This is a nice shot. The Dad should think about purchasing a shotgun. He is going to be needing to chase boys away from the house on a daily basis, If he isn't already.
Congratulations on the blue! Well deserved. Funny that my 4 top votes (8's) were among the top 5 finishes. Either I'm getting better at judging pictures or I've become DPCized. In either case I hope to some day learn how to do as well as all of you have.
These girls have some beautiful blue eyes, nice capture. I might have had the girl on the right a bit closer to the middle girl but still a really nice pic.
I think you missed a Great opportunity here
They looklike they have lost their Pet Cat or something.
I think I know your reason behind the pose but it doesnt sit right for me as if they smiled it would lighten the whole pag up.
It will mark well for you as it is a Good portrait.
Good Luck ad keep smiling !
One of the best images in this challenge. If this doesn't earn you a well deserved ribbon then I will eat my hat (not that I wear one!) Seriously, great shot in every respect, especially in composition and selection of models...those eyes are all great but seem to be "saying" something totally different.
makes me smile just to look at this, very well done and my ribbon pick, but that probably means bottom half, sorry LOL, lighting, focus, dof all are well done, 9 it is
The blessed father of three such pretty girls (his wife is probably gorgeous) has rough times ahead in a couple of years. ;)
But on the picture: The picture has ribbon potential. Not only because of the subject, but because it depicts the beauty of the girls so well. The sunlight on the hairs is great, while keeping sufficient light on the faces (fill in flash I presume?). Great bokeh in the back. Minor points include some shadows on the middle girl and the crop (too wide imo) on the left. And in my opinion, it's a tad too sweet, but that's merely a matter of taste. (8)
Wow -- very nicely done! I love how uniform they all are, from the hair to the shirts to the sharpness and color of their beautiful blue eyes. Nice job!
Mona Lisa Smiles
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