Past bedtime Photo

Photographer’s Note

This was taken a few hours ago just outside my friends apartment, I was standing guard at her double parked car while we were moving her stuff, and what does a TE member do with spare time? Take pictures, and two amazing things happened dring that theree hour moving thing, I found a car I liked so much I took a picture of it, and I managed to get my second portrait of strangers since I've been on TE! Some of you will know this has been (and still is) difficult for me ;o) These two kids were playing around in the street for atleast an hour and they seemed pretty interested in what we were doing, so after I had spent some time gathering my courage (to talk to a couple of ten year olds, scary ;o), smiling at them and kicking their ball every now and then, I asked if i could take their picture, they giggled alot and I told them I thought their hair was cool, more giggling and this is what I got.
Here are the things I remembered:
Smile ;o)
Get down to eye level with the subject.
Get close
and that's a bout it
I forgot Luko's advise about never using a flash (it was getting dark, forgive me)
I forgot to bring a descent camera
I forgot to allow them to look alot more natural
and tons more, but you guys will remind me ;o)

I have to make a list of thank yous - kind of like an acceptance speak at an award show :o))))
Thanks to Curtis and Rinie for support
Darren for so much good advise (I'll start using it soon)
Manny, Maciek, Claud and all other portrait photographers for making me want to learn
Jack for provoking me ;o)
My parents
God and finally the academy ;o)))

Rinie_Hoff, Kenny10pin, Jeppe, RGatward has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

mogens-j (56) 2004-07-22 17:47

Well, I think you did a great job here Line. I like the darkness of the background and their hair almost faithing out. To me they look very natural - after all they are only kids. I like their hairstyle too (I have seen it on much older girls too and it still looks great;-).

Kenny10pin (19301) 2004-07-22 19:34

very nice work here, I like the two here, the hair and the faces are very clear and they have a natural smile, great portrait of the the two

Well done

Jeppe (18623) 2004-07-23 1:59

Great work Line - I always knew you would made it far :-) and I see you got the speach reday as well ;D

I like you capture - very well done - and rules or not, this can't be done better. But I think the left kid seams to be a little tired.

Thanks for sharing - and yes TE members never bored - I was at an open air concert last evening - quess how I spend my time :-)

Rinie_Hoff (9332) 2004-07-23 3:37

wow, wow, wow, Line!!! This is a very good goodnight kiss for me. Wow, this is a great. I opened my favorites for the last time, before going to bed, and am I glad I did it.
They fit so nicely in the frame, and their hair is cool, but the sparkle in the right one's eye is really great, and you wouldn't have achieved that without a flash, and don't worry, there's no overexposure.
I'll put this one in my favorite box.
Congratulations, Line, and they seem like nice kids. Good choice for B&W.
You don't have to thank me, I'm glad we could help one another!

jrj (34779) 2004-07-23 5:06

Two things: First of all your portrait is well made presenting this two young girls enjoying themself in front of your camera. Second the post work in BW is well choosen and well presented.
Very good Line.

spence (1679) 2004-07-23 5:37

This is terrific, Line - I like it a lot. I'd be tempted to crop quite tightly to just the kid on the right with that great expression. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who finds it hard to approach people to take portraits. I see fantastic subjects all the time, but I don't have the courage.... I like your speech too, and can just hear the little break in your voice as the applause starts :))

Proxilva (2157) 2004-07-23 6:52

what's up with this????
are you ill? need i call a doctor? did you sleep well? are you eating enough vitamines? or are you drinking?.....

cool portrait!!! line(?) although i would darken the face of the tired girl on the left a bit... she seemed to have cathed all the light of your flash... the right one is in good balance...

MKING (3050) 2004-07-23 8:36

Well done Line, best way to get used to photographing people is to... well, photograph them! If I niggle a bit I'd say the expression on the girl's face is less than flattering but I'll blame that on the flash :)

Keep it up!

RGatward (19737) 2004-07-23 10:13

Great protrait Line. Now that must be some fancy flash you've got, since it doesn't wash out the whole scene, good work.

kikvel (4772) 2004-07-26 10:24

Line:

Que bonita pareja, los captaste muy bien, me gusta.
El flash no me gusta mucho y solo para fotos sociales... pero la composicion y tus sujetos valen todo.

Saludos cordiales!!!

Kikvel

philip_coggan (11) 2004-07-31 20:39

A nice portrait of these two. I wouldn't worry too much about the flash - it is a bit harsh, but but they have such nice expressions! and it was either flash or no photo.