Much Excitement for Christmas 1
Dec, 2015Views
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Winner in Christmas time is here Photo Challenge
Winner in Holiday De'Lights' Photo Challenge
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Winner in Yes it's Christmas!! Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in 500 Expressions Photo Contest
People's Choice in Tis The Season Photo Challenge
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photograph was taken in my living room.Time
It had to be photographed after the sun went down so that we could really see the illumination of the tree lights and the light from the book, so it was taken in the evening hours.Lighting
I turned all of the lights out in the house, except for the tree lights and set my cell phone on the book with the flashlight app. This was my first photograph of trying to accomplish this type of setting and soon after this began to tape the phone to the book page so that it wouldn't slide off of the book. I used gaffers tape and learned that it is not a good idea to use even this kind of tape on a printed page. You should actually only tape to a cover page, so as to not damage any other pages. I did create a few other photographs of this kind using different children, and tried to even get two of the children in the same scene, but that didn't work well, but there is always next time. You should meter for the child's face.Equipment
I used my Canon eos xsi with my 18-55 lens. No need for a tripod.Inspiration
I have seen other photographs like this and wanted to try it with my grandbabies. After being able to figure out how to accomplish this type of photograph I have created for friends and clients with photographs of their children, as well.Editing
There is much post production in this photograph, obviously. The original book that is in this photograph is not The Night Before Christmas... I used a different book at the time, using a large book (an Anne Geddes book) I went shopping for The Night Before Christmas book after this shoot wanting to find a pretty one for the photograph. I photographed the book separately and manipulated the image in hopes that one couldn't tell that this is what I did. Then I googled how to create the "glow" of the book and the sparkles. It has become easier to work on with each time I do this. I also darkened up the corners of the image to keep the eye within the image and focused on the expression of this youngster:) This was a lucky capture of my grand-daughter with this amazing expression!In my camera bag
I always carry my Canon eos xsi with 18-55 lens and now I have a new camera that I am learning how to use and will be using it as my main camera now, the Canon 70D. I also carry my 75-300 zoom everywhere, and when I think I need my tripod I will take it along.Feedback
The best advice that I can give is to talk to the parent before hand about what will happen during the shoot and be prepared to take several photographs in order to capture the best expression. You must have an assistant to help get the child excited, facing the right way and so on. Hopefully the parent can assist in getting that awesome expression from the child. Also, make sure the book is upright and the light is shining on the subjects face the way you want it. Plan on spending a lot of time in post production and take your time:)
