My nephew C&C

michelleans

Actually OH's nephew but still

We went to see him while abroad on holidays over the last 3 weeks. He's about a year and a half old and is always up to mischief.. I ended up taking around 1000 shots of him throughout the 3 weeks. These are a few I shot while up in the mountains in their log cabin.

I was trying to capture the mischievous personality he has. He kept sticking his head through the slots on the balcony Any comments/criticism on any aspect is appreciated. I'd have preferred more DOF but will be playing with that later in Photoshop.





And a portrait - I feel the background is very light for this to work as well as it could.. Any editing tips to help this one out would be appreciated.

Ricky91t

Cool pics great refelctions in the eys and lovely dof

CabanSail

#1 Looks really good. Well framed & good use of natural light. [picky mode] There is a slightly distracting light below the right hand, easy to clone that out.[/picky mode]

#2 Once again good natural light, but the background is a bit too cluttered

#3 The highlights on the side of the face have burned out.

Do you shoot RAW?

michelleans

Thanks guys,

#1 - I will clone out that patch of light, just realised it is distracting after posting them up.

#2 - I wanted to get more DOF to blur the background but I'll be giving it a shot in photoshop.

I don't shoot RAW, only using a compact ish camera - Panasonic Lumix TZ1, getting my Nikon later this year and cannot wait

Cabaal

Like the atmosphere in the first one, other two are too bright for my liking

CabanSail

michelleans wrote: »

Thanks guys,

I wanted to get more DOF to blur the background but I'll be giving it a shot in photoshop.

I don't shoot RAW, only using a compact ish camera - Panasonic Lumix TZ1, getting my Nikon later this year and cannot wait

The Depth of field is set when you take the image. I think you meant reduce the depth of field, you can simulate that is PS.

The reason I asked about RAW is that you have a wider tolerance to play with exposure when you have the RAW file.

What sort of Nikon/Lens are you getting?

Phototoxin

I prefer no 1, its different and more 'character' is shown

AnCatDubh

I think #1 and #2 are really nice - the light is probably more favourable in #1. #2 is a tich bright (but only a tich). #3 - as you and others have said the burnt highlights are not great. I see from your photostream you've tried a b/w conversion. I think this would be best and have a play with contrast and curves of the resulting shot.

Overall I think #1 is the best composition wise - nice framing and colour.

EDIT: strike that - #1 is a flippin great shot

michelleans

CabanSail wrote: »

The Depth of field is set when you take the image. I think you meant reduce the depth of field, you can simulate that is PS.

The reason I asked about RAW is that you have a wider tolerance to play with exposure when you have the RAW file.

What sort of Nikon/Lens are you getting?

I hope to start shooting RAW with the new Nikon. It'll probably be a D40 or D80 if the budget can be stretched. Not sure which lenses to get along with it, am trying to make up my mind which one's I'd need as a beginner to DSLR's

michelleans

AnCatDubh wrote: »

I think #1 and #2 are really nice - the light is probably more favourable in #1. #2 is a tich bright (but only a tich). #3 - as you and others have said the burnt highlights are not great. I see from your photostream you've tried a b/w conversion. I think this would be best and have a play with contrast and curves of the resulting shot.

Overall I think #1 is the best composition wise - nice framing and colour.

EDIT: strike that - #1 is a flippin great shot

Yeah I was trying out the shots in B&W but am not sure how well they turned out. I still just prefer the first shot But I'll get around to trying to do something with the other two soon, I'm nearly insane from looking through and editing photos all day.

Buzz Lightyear

Well done Michelle on the first shot. It's well captured and captures your OH's nephew very well. I'd like to see the shot when you've made the alteration to the light under the hand. No. 2 has too much going on in the background whilst no. 3 is over exposed - as said by others.

As for upgrading to the Nikon, I've a D80 and I find it limitless by what I can do so far. Lens wise I've a AF-S 70-300mm 4.5G ED, which gives lovley dof and can get you in tight but tbh I find it a little shy on the zoom but then again it was within my budget (and bought in NY). I bought the D80 with a 18-55 3.5G ED which is a lovley lens once again in NY. As much as hate buying foriegn, when you purchase at half the price in NY and save over a grand on the above - ask someone you know who's heading over or make an excuse youself

michelleans

Here is the first with the light removed..



Half the price is a huge saving, I know some friends who are from LA and travel over and back to Ireland frequently, I assume LA would have the same deal as NY. Must get on to them to see when they're over again Failing that, a trip to NY doesn't sound like a bad idea.

Are they half the price in most shops over there? Or is there a particular one that has the cheaper prices?

Buzz Lightyear

Hi Michelle

The touch-up looks much better. As for NY I bought my equipment in J&R and found them very helpful. I know some of the people here have bought in B&H and have found them helpful as well.

Happy shopping and shooting