Photo Discussion
Category: Friendly Praise Archive

To discuss a photo, sign up as a BetterPhoto member or log in.

Christmas


	Christmas Nikon D70 on ISO 200, Sigma 24-70mm @ f8; SB-800 flash off-camera in softbox, SB-600 slave in softbox for fill, SB-600 slave above for hair light; gold reflector below for warmth. I took the shot for the two gals' parents' Christmas card, as well as doubling as a formal portrait. First time I used the Speedlights for such a cause. The set is in a floral gallery, where a friend let me use anything I wanted as a prop. So, I taped a black velvet cloth to the wall, pulled some flowers from the window, and put them on a plastic garden pedestal. The fabric I draped over the chair. That the subjects showed up in such complimentary colors delighted me! They were wonderful, too - posed any way I asked. Their mom said Grape-flavored Bubblicious was the prize if they cooperated. I must remember this.... C. Appoldt

Milan Banik

cute and beautiful work.

To love this question, log in above
December 02, 2005

Brinn MacDougall

This is really first-class photography, Christopher..beautiful!

To love this comment, log in above
December 02, 2005

Sandy Landon

Very beautiful shot!!!!

To love this comment, log in above
December 02, 2005

C. Appoldt

Thanks everyone - I'm glad you like! I'm a little concerned about the girls' faces - perhaps I could have dropped the key light's output a smidge, their cheeks look "hot."

Do the colors work ok?

To love this comment, log in above
December 02, 2005

- Donna K. Kilcher

BetterPhoto Member

BetterPhoto Member

Contact Donna K. Kilcher
Donna K. Kilcher's Gallery

Beautiful

To love this comment, log in above
December 02, 2005

Jon Kolstad

Very beautifully well done portrait! I've been trying some portraits recently and haven't even come close. Thanks for sharing the setup Christopher.

To love this comment, log in above
December 02, 2005

Gary Lange

Outstanding work here Christopher! Beautiful portrait of these chaildren. Wonder wht would work for stubborn adult...Michelob? lol. Anyway, great portrait!

To love this comment, log in above
December 02, 2005

C. Appoldt

Thanks too to the rest! Jon, glad describing the setup helped. It's been all trial and error, here. I moved the lights about three times during the shoot.

Too, I did some burning on the edges to "vignette," but that's really about it aside from sharpening, a little more saturation, and a slight curves adjustment in PS.

To love this comment, log in above
December 02, 2005

- Stephanie Laird

BetterPhoto Member

BetterPhoto Member

Contact Stephanie Laird
Stephanie Laird's Gallery

Christopher this is wonderful photo!

To love this comment, log in above
December 02, 2005

Megan p

This is so beautiful and elegant Christopher, love the lighting, I love the dark shadows too.

To love this comment, log in above
December 02, 2005

Darla C. Sammons

Chris, What a timeless true portrait. Love the poses and sisterly love that you captured. Darla

To love this comment, log in above
December 02, 2005

photosbyjanine.com - Janine Russell

BetterPhoto Member

BetterPhoto Member

Contact Janine Russell
Janine Russell's Gallery

Christopher, wonderful Christmas portrait.

To love this comment, log in above
December 03, 2005

Karen Diaz

Too cute and simply adorable Xmas portrait!!:)

To love this comment, log in above
December 22, 2005

C. Appoldt

Thanks , everyone! Karen, the girls' folks loved the shot, and I printed it on canvas at 16"x20" - really nice end-product. If I took a lot of Xmas portraits of kids, I'd say this is the one I'm most proud of - but I don't, so I'm really content!

To love this comment, log in above
December 22, 2005

Megan p

Congratulations Christopher on a truly beauiful portrait!!

To love this comment, log in above
January 21, 2006

C. Appoldt

Thanks, Megan, and everyone. Wow - my first nomination....exciting!

To love this comment, log in above
January 21, 2006

Jill Flynn

Congratulations again Chris! Way to go this month!

To love this comment, log in above
January 22, 2006

C. Appoldt

Thanks Jill!

To love this comment, log in above
January 22, 2006

Nicole Kessel

Beautiful Chris, Congratulations!

To love this comment, log in above
January 22, 2006

Log in or sign up to respond or interact.