grandma great

Elaine · August 24, 2009

My husband's Grandma has been able to visit us this week. (She is affectionately called "grandma great" by her great grandchildren.) She recently turned 89, and earlier this year, she lost Grandpa, just a few months before what would have been their 70th anniversary. It's been a special visit, and I wanted a few simple shots of her before she left. I think she's such a pretty lady. I'd love to know how these look to you. I'm wondering if the skin comes off a bit pink? These were taken in natural, evening light with the 50 1.4.

1

2

3

Scott_Quier · August 24, 2009

These are, all three, very very nice. Love the smile in #1. The hands in #2 tell such a story.

#3 - that one hit me hard. I don't know if it's because of the back story you wrote or because the portrait is that good, but I think I see a life's experience and a little pain and sadness in her expression and her eyes. Did that come out confused or what. Anyway, I think you understand? I'll just best that would come off beautiful as a B&W shot as well. Oh, and just a little critique ('cause I just can't help it), I think maybe your DOF is a little short in this one - the tip of her nose looks like it's lost most of it's skin texture detail.

heatherfeather · August 24, 2009

Oh Elaine! I have to agree with you. She has such a sweet face and expression. I just love all of them. No wonder she is called great. I can just imagine her snuggling your little guy in a rocking chair with his "longer than they used to be" arms and legs hanging out.

As to the pink, I think they look perfect. It is normal to have patches of pink here or there, but the majority of it needs to be just as you have done, yellow over magenta.

Thanks for the glimpse into such a special lady. I get to see mine (with the exact same circumstances: grandpa gone) in 1 1/2 weeks!

Elaine · August 24, 2009

Scott_Quier wrote:

These are, all three, very very nice. Love the smile in #1. The hands in #2 tell such a story.

#3 - that one hit me hard. I don't know if it's because of the back story you wrote or because the portrait is that good, but I think I see a life's experience and a little pain and sadness in her expression and her eyes. Did that come out confused or what. Anyway, I think you understand? I'll just best that would come off beautiful as a B&W shot as well. Oh, and just a little critique ('cause I just can't help it), I think maybe your DOF is a little short in this one - the tip of her nose looks like it's lost most of it's skin texture detail.

Thank you, Scott!
I'm so glad you see "it" in #3 as well. Her expression says so many things to me in that one; it just seemed so poignant to me.
I need to play with a conversion a bit more on that one; I haven't landed on one I like yet.
And yes, I see what you mean about the DOF. This was taken with the 50 at 2.8 and no cropping was done after the fact, so I was fairly close. Sometimes that happens, as we like to say at our house.
Thanks for the comments!

Tina Manley · August 24, 2009

They are beautiful portraits and I love the soft color. I know you'll be glad you took these. I would also like to see photos of her doing something - holding your kids, knitting, cooking - anything. I like the close-up of her hands but I want them to show something about her. If you sit back and wait awhile, until she forgets that you are taking photos, you could get some really good natural ones that tell us more about grandma great. She's beautiful.

Tina

www.tinamanley.com

Elaine · August 24, 2009

heatherfeather wrote:

Oh Elaine! I have to agree with you. She has such a sweet face and expression. I just love all of them. No wonder she is called great. I can just imagine her snuggling your little guy in a rocking chair with his "longer than they used to be" arms and legs hanging out.

As to the pink, I think they look perfect. It is normal to have patches of pink here or there, but the majority of it needs to be just as you have done, yellow over magenta.

Thanks for the glimpse into such a special lady. I get to see mine (with the exact same circumstances: grandpa gone) in 1 1/2 weeks!

Thank you, Heather! I'm glad the color looks good and you can see how sweet she is.
She's the mother of NINE and her name is Pearl Ruby. How cute is that??
I hope you have a very special visit with your grandma!

Elaine · August 24, 2009

Tina Manley wrote:

They are beautiful portraits and I love the soft color. I know you'll be glad you took these. I would also like to see photos of her doing something - holding your kids, knitting, cooking - anything. I like the close-up of her hands but I want them to show something about her. If you sit back and wait awhile, until she forgets that you are taking photos, you could get some really good natural ones that tell us more about grandma great. She's beautiful.

Tina

www.tinamanley.com

Thank you, Tina. I do have some more candid shots of her, and I agree those would be more informative. I was after something a bit more formal for these. I will look for some more opportunities to capture her at ease.

Thanks for commenting!

pwp · August 24, 2009

Remarkable and sweet. I wish she was my grandma great!

adbsgicom · August 24, 2009

Beautiful portraits, it is wonderful your kids still have their Great around. I won't play favorites with any of the three....

sweet caroline · August 24, 2009

So lovely. What a beautiful woman!

Caroline

WingsOfLovePhoto · August 24, 2009

I LOVE Grandma's.

She looks like a real sweetheart and you captured her just right. The photos in all respects are lovely, especially #3. Thanks for sharing her with us

hamster · August 25, 2009

What a beautiful woman. I love these, and the backstory just has me tearing up. I'm sorry for her loss.

Wil Davis · August 25, 2009

What a great set of pictures; #3 is my favourite…

…the eyes and the expression are just perfect!

Nice job!

- Wil

Elaine · August 25, 2009

Thank you, all! I appreciate all your comments!

bendruckerphoto · August 25, 2009

Quite a series. Really tells a story.

Agnieszka · August 25, 2009

Aw, she looks so sweet! Very nice portraits. I'm sure the whole family will cherish them forever!

michswiss · August 25, 2009

I think these are great portraits of Great. I wouldn't worry about any slight colour variations, it will spur emotions amongst your family for days, months and years to come. Great job. But, I'll second Tina's suggestion. It would be fantastic to capture her in action doing something she loves. Doesn't really matter what.

Jonnyyaya · August 25, 2009

Great shots all of them #3 tells a story with every detail in mind.
Nice Work.

GemGem · August 25, 2009

Elaine,
These are wonderful!

leaforte · August 25, 2009

Love her glasses. Very stylish lady.

Elaine · August 26, 2009

Thank you for looking and commenting!

Flutist · August 26, 2009

Love the way her face wants to tell you a story!

Swartzy · August 26, 2009

Well done Elaine! You've captured the essence very well. Yaaaaaa!

DavidS · August 30, 2009

I love these.

PhotosbyKW · August 30, 2009

She's just beautiful!

KAW.

Elaine · August 30, 2009

Shannon, Swartzy, David, KAW...thanks so much for your kind comments!

divamum · August 30, 2009

Absolutely beautiful, Elaine. We had my grandmother until Diva Jr was 5 (she called her "Grand-nana" which we always thought was very sweet), which was, alas, before I turned into a committed shutterbug. We do have some shots, however (including one of her holding Littl'un at 2 weeks old. Not a great picture because I knew bugger-all about lighting, but I'm still sooooo happy to have it!)

In any case, these are beyond precious. I think the colour is right - it seems that older ladies with silver hair get that pink-ish complexion, so it looks really natural to me.

You've got me thinking about "Grandnana" now, which is a wonderful thing

grandma great

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