My first BABY shoot - which one's best?

chrisdg

I received a call from my sister the other day, "hey, would you be willing to take some photos of your new nephew as a surprise Mother's Day gift for Tara?" (Tara is my youngest sister, and a new mother to Ryan). Of course, I agreed. We only had an hour to make this happen while mommy was out shopping, but I'm pleased with the results of my first baby photo shoot.

We'll likely choose one or two of these, print it big and frame it. Can't decide which one!!! Any opinion?

C&C also welcome.

#1


#2


#3 - muted tones


#4


#5


#6


#7

#8

Caspian

I vote for number 1 & 2. Either one would be a nice gift. I think that sometimes the upload/link process messes with the focus. The blanket in these seems to be sharper than the eyes. I like the blue blanket with his blue eyes.

rstwohee

As a mom...
I'd definitely vote for #2. Big, beautiful shot of smiling baby says it all. I can't comment on the technical aspects of the shot but definitely can from the "mommy" side of things.

Wachel

5 and 6 are great. I think 3 would have been wonderful if he was laughing, the serious look doesn't do it for me.

Nice shots.

chrisdg

Thanks Michael, David, and rstwohee! Much appreciated.

David - i doubt it's the upload process affecting focus...perhaps my 50D & 24-105 lens combo is slightly out of alignment focus-wise, because I was definitely focusing on the eyes. I don't fully understand the technical process to fix this via the Canon microfocus adjustments. I'll need to look into this.

VayCayMom

Hmmm so many to choose from..... I like 1 and 8 for the purpose you mentioned.

MRagon

I like #1 or #2 but if you go with #1 I think I'd like it better if the whole bucket didn't show and the bottom portion was cropped off.

ivar

#2 although i really like #6 as well

ole doc

I'm 100% for #2. Baby has a nice natural smile and inspite of the depth of the picture elements the focus is very acceptible. Mom will treasure it forever.
Nick

GemGem

#2 and #6 Are really cute

kris10jo

i vote for #8. it has a great, timeless quality to it.

Illiterati

I like number 2 the best.

The first pic looks like it could be a baby photo of the actor JK Simmons.

It's really uncanny.

Great pics, overall, but 2 is still my favorite!

chrisdg

Thanks everyone. The feedback was appreciated!

I went with #2 as a 15x15 print in a big matted frame, plus a framed 8x10 of #8, and a framed 8x12 of #1. The mommy was out of town for Mother's Day, so I will be presenting them to her as belated gifts on Wednesday night. The rest, including about 15 nice images not posted here, she's getting as 4x6 or 5x5 images, plus soft copies.

I tell ya, Bay Photo printing (via my smugmug pro account) does a real nice job, and since they are very local to me in the Bay Area, I basically get overnight shipping for no extra cost.