Self family portrait.

patsy easley

My Mother-in-law gave me a new a set of Pocket Wizards as a gift last weekend. All she asked in return was that we try to get a family portrait. She wanted us to use the truck for a backdrop.

heatherfeather

I reaaaaally like it. And great job picking everyone's clothing so they match.... but don't match. Well done.

patsy easley

Thanks Heather!

Mitchell

Cute.

Could you have metered off the sky and then used your strobes for some fill? The blown sky detracts from the otherwise great portrait.

patsy easley

I would have loved to meter off the sky and then use strobes, but I don't have strobes.
Thanks

justME

I love that you used the truck as a backdrop. Very nice. Works well and I like everyones pose. If the sky is an issue you can always add one.

Mitchell

in plain sight wrote:

I would have loved to meter off the sky and then use strobes, but I don't have strobes.
Thanks

Sorry, Patsy. When you mentioned she gave you Pocket Wizrds, I assumed that these were to wirelessly fire your strobes. My bad.

Am I correct that you are using them as a wireless remote control for your camera??

patsy easley

Yes they are to wireless control the camera. Strobes are on my list of things to get soon.

dogwood

Looks nice to me. I might crop the top and right side a bit (even if it means cutting off part of the truck) though.

Agnieszka

Very cute photo, love it. Agree about the clothing, well chosen ... I guess the sky can be fixed in photoshop

Deanna Alko

I like the punch of the main subject and the immediately surrounding environment (as well as the arrangement of the individuals & the truck). The blown sky adds-compliments-blends to the subject providing the overall scene but maintains the viewers attention on the family, and has both unusual & natural appeal. A blue sky with nice clouds would be of no benefit here IMO. I would however, consider cropping a bit off the top & the green clipping-artifact noticeable in the tree viewers right could use some help. On the people a little reflected light (not necessarily strobe) may have been a consideration too.

I think it's hip and somewhat retro!

Take care,
- Deanna

patsy easley

"I think it's hip and somewhat retro!"

Thats what I was going for!!!

GemGem

What a great picture! love the truck and the colors. Everyone looks great! The blown out sky does not bother me AT all as the colors guided my eyes right to the family. Great job!

patsy easley

I re-cropped the picture. I am thinking about ordering it in a 12X18. This would be the crop for that size.

jeffreaux2

Very nice....fun....and "not an everyday portrait. I like it very much!



Even without strobes, you obviously used a tripod right?

-You could have.....
-Taken this shot and then...
-Taken several frames "extra"....even without the people in the frame....and metered more for the sky/ background.
-You could have then "stolen" the sky from one of those other exposures for this shot...and put the two images together in photoshop using layers...and a mask. Its really an easy technique.....but you HAVE to have that one frame exposed for the sky....in addition to this one.

patsy easley

I didn't even think about doing that. Maybe next time.

jeffreaux2

in plain sight wrote:

I didn't even think about doing that. Maybe next time.

It would be a bit of "work" on your part in photoshop.....but is surely an option for next time.

I like your crop......maybe you should leave a tad more room by the toes on the left. Depending on how you matte or frame this....they could get nipped.

jbakerphoto

I have a gradiant blue filter in PSP that helps in this situation. Its by NIK...Anyways here is a quick go at it.



If you want me to take it down let me know.....

If you like send me a PM with a link to the original.
Jon

Photosbychuck

[Nice Shot

You can select the sky in ps and town it down a bit.

Take Care,
Chuck

crockett

Nice concept and I think you executed it well. Your getting some great advice here about how to work in the sky, even though I still like it without but it would be nice to look at it both ways.

The one thing I would have done differently right away is have the gentleman pull his knee up to his chest and this would have allowed you to frame the photo with a tighter crop, helping to minimize the dead space. However, I see your alternative crop did a pretty nice job of that.

Nice image.

patsy easley

Thanks again for all the tips everyone. I have played with the sky a few times and it seems to take away from the feel I was going for when I PS a sky in. I know everyone doesn't agree but I kinda like my blown out sky in this one.

jeffreaux2

in plain sight wrote:

Thanks again for all the tips everyone. I have played with the sky a few times and it seems to take away from the feel I was going for when I PS a sky in. I know everyone doesn't agree but I kinda like my blown out sky in this one.

Well, my suggestion wasn't intended to diminish the quality of what you have her...its a great family portrait. I only offered it as an option to try next time you are in a similar situation. It would look a bit odd with a perfectly exposed blue sky back there....but maybe....just a little detail and color would have looked okay.

I bet this on looks great printed large and framed!

patsy easley

I know thats not how it was intended. I didn't mean to come off harsh, I had a two year old pulling at me to go play. I do plan on using the methods that where suggested in the future. I am really good at blowing out the sky when I don't want to.