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Christmas

© C. Appoldt

Christmas

Uploaded: December 02, 2005

Description

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....

Comments

Milan Banik December 02, 2005

cute and beautiful work. #353161

Brinn MacDougall December 02, 2005

This is really first-class photography, Christopher..beautiful! #2145341

Sandy Landon December 02, 2005

Very beautiful shot!!!! #2145363

C. Appoldt December 02, 2005

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? #2145406

Donna K. Kilcher level-classic December 02, 2005

Beautiful #2145459

Jon Kolstad December 02, 2005

Very beautifully well done portrait! I've been trying some portraits recently and haven't even come close. Thanks for sharing the setup Christopher. #2145471

Gary Lange December 02, 2005

Outstanding work here Christopher! Beautiful portrait of these chaildren. Wonder wht would work for stubborn adult...Michelob? lol. Anyway, great portrait! #2145479

C. Appoldt December 02, 2005

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. #2145557

Stephanie Laird level-classic December 02, 2005

Christopher this is wonderful photo! #2146075

Megan p December 02, 2005

This is so beautiful and elegant Christopher, love the lighting, I love the dark shadows too. #2146593

Darla C. Sammons December 02, 2005

Chris, What a timeless true portrait. Love the poses and sisterly love that you captured. Darla #2146596

Janine Russell level-deluxe December 03, 2005

Christopher, wonderful Christmas portrait. #2149627

Karen Diaz December 22, 2005

Too cute and simply adorable Xmas portrait!!:) #2212936

C. Appoldt December 22, 2005

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! #2213006

Megan p January 21, 2006

Congratulations Christopher on a truly beauiful portrait!! #2313664

C. Appoldt January 21, 2006

Thanks, Megan, and everyone. Wow - my first nomination....exciting! #2314231

Jill Flynn January 22, 2006

Congratulations again Chris! Way to go this month! #2323263

C. Appoldt January 22, 2006

Thanks Jill! #2324054

Nicole Kessel January 22, 2006

Beautiful Chris, Congratulations! #2324265

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