Momma's little boy
A portrait of momma and her little boy
A portrait of momma and her little boy
Read less
Read less
Dec, 2015Views
350
Likes
Awards
Fall Award 2020
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
All Star
Superior Skill
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This image was taken practically in my backyard. The client was new to the area and I was new to photography, so this location worked best for both of us. It was in our neighbors field where there was nice tall wheat like grass and beautiful blue spruce pine trees.Time
I almost always shoot in the evenings around 2-3 hours before sunset so I get those really nice soft shadows and highlights. I don’t remember the exact day or time and I’m not currently at my computer so I can’t check the EXIF, but it would have been late November early December as these images were going to be Christmas cards.Lighting
I LOVE natural light, so I’m pretty particular about what time of day I shoot. Like I said earlier, I like shooting in the evening about 2-3 hours before sunset so I can get those nice soft shadows and highlights. I always have the sun somewhat behind my subjects. It doesn’t have to be directly behind, and can be off to the side, just as long as it doesn’t get in their faces.Equipment
This being very early in my photography career, I used the only equipment I owned, which was a crop sensor Samsung NX500 and a vintage manual focus Pentax 50mm f1.7 lens.Inspiration
Well, I guess you could say my client inspired me, lol! We won’t always be inspired to do something. When you’re hired to do something artistic, you still have to create art rather you are inspired or not.Editing
I try to do minimal post-processing to my images. My editing workflow consists of drawing the eye to the desired focus point in the image, the subject. This consists of slightly desaturating and darkening the edges of the image to help drew your focus into the diaries part of the image.In my camera bag
I try to keep a very minimal setup so that I don’t have to be weighted down with a bunch of equipment. I think about what I will need for the days session and bring only that. I of course have my camera bag with backup gear incase something happens to my main setup, but that usually stays in the car unless I need something out of it which is very rare. My main setup right now usually consists of my Sony A7iii and Sigma 135mm f1.8 ART lens. My bag usually has my backup camera which is a Sony a7ii and an 85mm f1.4 and a 50mm f1.4 as well as extra batteries and cards and a cleaning kit of course.Feedback
Fun fact, this was actually my very first ever paid session when I started doing photography back in 2015. I think I charged $80 and I remember feeling like I had just rubbed these poor people of their many, lol! What I love about this image is 2 things. 1 how much I’ve changed and learned and grown in my art, and 2 how little has actually changed. I know that’s a bit of an oxymoron, but it’s the truth. Let me explain. When I look at this images I cringe at how bad the skin tones are, the colors are a bit goofy and the overall quality of the image is garbage, but, the essentials of what makes this a decent image is still there and it’s interesting to me that I understood that even back then. The essentials meaning, the good use of natural light which is creating great rim light making the subject’s pop and also good catchlight in their eyes which is drawing your focus in as well as the soft highlights and shadows so nothing is blown out. Great use of a vintage prime lens with a narrow aperture creating beautiful separation of the subjects with the background and foreground. Good composition and frame and posing. I think if anything, what has changed the most is my understanding of color and post-processing. My images are extremely clean, clear and sharp now. The colors are way more accurate. I’ve definitely improved with posing and lighting in a lot of ways, but they are subtle.
