JAStandring

Oh Canada! Spring Lambs & Lilacs

Little girl loving a spring lamb.

Little girl loving a spring lamb.
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May, 2018

Views

1278

Likes

+133

Awards

Moment Wide 18mm Lens

Contest Finalist in A Purple World Photo Contest

Contest Finalist in Capture Stillness Photo Contest

Contest Finalist in Shades Of Purple Project

Peer Award

+35

Absolute Masterpiece

Outstanding Creativity

Top Choice

Magnificent Capture

Superb Composition

Virtuoso

Superior Skill

Genius

All Star

Emotions

Impressed

Top Ranks

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Top 20 rank

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Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 30 rank week 3

Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken in a front yard of a little house right in the middle of a Canadian city. We had borrowed this precious baby from a local farmer, and we found a few beautiful outdoor back drops from mother nature herself.

Time

The time of day is often so important for the reflections of light. On this day it was overcast, which suited me well. I loved that I did not have to battle sunny verses shade. The day was so perfect, even when the light rain began to fall, I just kept on shooting.

Lighting

I often love an overcast day when shooting children and animals. In this shot, it was overcast with light showers. When the sky light is defused, you never have to worry about shadows under the eyes, or shadows casting on the face. The sky light will still give depth and richness to the face. It is not flattering for the face to look flat, so by the child tilting her head, her face was lighter toward the sky giving a lovely contrast.

Equipment

I used my faithful old Pentax K-3. I had on a 70-300 lens. The photo is hand held. I find when photographing children and animals, I want to be able to move quickly and change my angle very fast. Children move, and animals, especially baby ones can do the sweetest things together, and you have a fraction of a second to capture it. So moving freely, for me helps to capture the unexpected. Such as a child closing its eyes and hugging the lamb they hold.

Inspiration

This was not a planned shoot for me. I had a darling friend who wanted to take photos of her toddlers and this baby lamb. She needed some help setting up her scenes. During this processed, my granddaughter arrived with her mommy, and when she saw the lamb, all she wanted to do was hold it. I just happened to be wearing the purple scarf that is around her shoulders, and we just happened to stop at this house right in the middle of the city, where this lush lilac brush was standing. With permission from the owner, I threw my purple scarf over her shoulders, passed her the lamb, stood back and began shooting.......

Editing

This photo was taken in RAW. I processed in lightroom program. No big changes were done. I just simply checked the light and the colours making sure that they were balanced. Then it was ready to display.

In my camera bag

Ever shot that I take is always on my Pentax camera. I usually bring my Pentax K-3, with a few lens. I have three prime, 35mm, 50mm,70mm. I have a few telescopic lens which give me a wide range. 16-45mm 18-135mm 50-200mm. But my pride and joy is my HD Pentax-D FA* 70–200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW. That is a pin sharp, beautiful bokeh lens. My favourite ....but it is heavy and as large as the camera.

Feedback

It is always a challenge when little children and animals are involved. Both are so unpredictable to say the least. You must be patience, and very gentle and kind. You can set up your scene to a degree, but you also must let natural things occur. Hugs and faces of delight, or the one you had in mine does not work. Go with the flow, that will often get you the most enduring, and cute photos. Let the child and animal bond and connect and do their own thing. If you're ready to be snapping the pictures, as the animal and child interact, you will get a few beautiful shots. Posing them exactly as you want often will fail. Do not get frustrated .... just look around and see what else you can do. Ask the child to show the animal love...or play with it....or talk to it.... The child is naturally cute, the animal is often just as cute... relax and catch the magic that will "just"happen".... because it will! Be ready when it does. Remember , you don't need 10 or 20 photos, you only need one stunning photo to make it worth the while. Just one!

See more amazing photos, follow JAStandring

JAStandring

JAStandring

Oh Canada! Spring Lambs & Lilacs

Little girl loving a spring lamb.

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow JAStandring

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