Portraits of Children Series by Charlotte Thompson

[Bill Miller]

Charlotte,

Finally, do you see the difference in the eyes? Now increase the ambiant lights so his pupils are closed down more, then you will have big blue eyes.

 

[John Angulat]

Wow Charlotte...

Christmas comes early! What a gift, the sage advice from Bill, Cem, Asher, Ken and Kathy all rolled into one thread! Priceless! I mean that sincerely.
Please take it to heart, they offer advice and help I'd love to contribute to, but alas lack the skills they possess. I can see what they point out and have to agree (and I get some free instruction myself along the way!). Slow down, take your time and choose what you shoot and what you post carefully. Pick the best image, not just a bunch of shots you think are cute. Also, I must agree, as adorable as your daughter is you must find other subjects. I feel we'll lose interest if we see the same genre over and over.
So to all - thanks for helping Charlotte!

 

[Charlotte Thompson]

Bill
I see-and yes more ambient light!!
thank you again for your help! invaluable for me-


John
I always try to think what I post is best trying to get better! yes of course all help is invaluable for all of us! thanks my friend*


Cem
just in case you didnt get PM proceed-I really love the catergory you have made for my work- This is very fine of you and Asher-Very Fine to do this portfolio of my work-I know its alot of shots!
as I said "I am speechless!

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

Hi,

Welcome! This thread has been created on behalf of Charlotte Thompson. Those of you who have been following Charlotte's contributions here in OPF will immediately know that she has a huge passion for photographing children. She has shared many examples of her work (in progress) with us.

Recently, we have realized that this huge body of work can better be consolidated into one main topic so that we can follow the progress of Charlotte without searching back and forth between various threads.

So now, we have combined all her previous threads in the area of children portraiture into this one. All the original threads are still present and can be read (for historical and linking purposes) but it is not possible to react to them from their original locations any longer. All new discussions should be conducted here in this thread.

 

[Charlotte Thompson]

For Asher & Cem

This is beyond anything I could have imagined! I really had no idea I had done so much work and all the wonderful creative minds at OPF that were interested enough to help in my process and passions, This is a beautiful gift-

Cem, for the undaunting work you have put into this huge portfolio I deeply thank you!

and

Asher, for your patience and unwavering patience I might add "I will always be blessed!"
your support and understanding pushed me to be better and still working for best but I guess that I will always be working for better-

I want Asher and Cem know I am speechless


so here is my gift for you hardworking gentlemen- I believe it to be the way Peyton and I feel about this honor-

 

[Clayton Lofgren]

I think I like this one best of all. I like to see emotion expressed.

 

[Asher Kelman]

Asher

wow how cool is that! Thank you! I feel very honored indeed-
I took Bill's advice immdeiately and came out with these of Parker
he just got a Christmas present from mom and dad The DC beanie- a skateboarder he is -
can you see any difference in focus and flash staying forward and about 8' feet away
again Thank you!

Hi Charlotte,

These are perhaps among your best pictures!

I'm enjoying them on a number of levels. first and foremost there's a very warm presence of an innocent child that shows in their face trust to us. That you have here. Also there is a clean honesty in the pictures. You have not altered them in a noticeable fashion and so the subject is the child not your work calling attention to itself. not that the latter is wrong, but this shows the child first and foremost.

Look at the color scheme. Buy using related sienna tones, you bring a sense of real nature to the setting. There is not traffic light bright red and orange that disturbs and distracts full measure of attention on natural things. This picture is so good that it will be hardly show form any better in B&W. When that happens, the color then boosts the picture to a new emotional orbit. So here, you have color that adds value and that's part of why I like the pictures.

I know there are many things that make a picture not reach its full potential. I have not touched on anything negative as yet. I hope someone else will address that for completeness to add balance to my enthusiasm. Otherwise I'll come back and do that myself, LOL!

Asher

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

...so here is my gift for you hardworking gentlemen- I believe it to be the way Peyton and I feel about this honor-

Hi Charlotte,

No need to thank us, what we have done will benefit all parties. So it was my pleasure
This picture of Peyton is beautiful and I agree with Clayton, one of your best! Thank you for this precious gift.

Cheers,

 

[Charlotte Thompson]

Clayton

Thank you so much...it was such a fun night-this one goes on a Christmas card their parents expressed a request I do them- My props and ideas and so I think I caught a few keepers-thanks again-


Cem

I am glad and so pleased you liked our gift for you-Thank you so much for this I know how very hard work to put together this mantage of a thing!


Asher
Oh I know I'll get some crit from you for sure...but I wait for it!
new hat for Parker-a gift- just happen to get 3 quick ones off-all the colors co-ordinated too-
that's lucky because I am usually all over the place to get those little critters so not all is color ops but that could be changed into bandw or sepia or whatever I guess-the cap shots I only barely barely light them- I am very pleased you like these so much-the mother adores # 1
and will have it framed- imagine such a face who can resist !
thank you so very much- I'll be waiting for your crit- the neg side of these shots-

 

[Charlotte Thompson]

Lullaby by Night

After a hard day-days of Christmas- this Angel Sleeps-

 

[Bill Miller]

Charlotte, why 3 photos taken over a period of 9 seconds? 2 &3 appear the same taken 1 sec. apart compsition is different from #1.

You could pick one sharpen it a little then post. This a crop/sharpen of #3

 

[Asher Kelman]

Bill,

Yes you picked a good one and I also like the crop. Still, I miss having an allowance of soft blanket to the left of her head. Just my taste. Also I'd consider then working with the light. It does not need to be even. I's like some vignetting so her face is revealed.

Asher

 

[Asher Kelman]

Hi Charlotte,

I have enjoyed your pictures of the sleeping child. Which child is this darling? Bill's suggestion is certainly a good approach and concisely gets the point across. I admit a penchant for a more generous milieux and the child then revealed in the dim light.

Rule of Thirds: As an idea, consider something classical and strong. The child's head should end up over one of the corners of the center box when you divide the picture into 3 rows and 3 columns, but for sure you already know that!

Taking the Picture to the Nth of the Idea: Is this a "snapshot" for just personal memories or a photograph for the ages? Has the idea been simplified to get rid of the superfulous and extended to its rich potential?

So, in this picture you could add/clone in more blue blanket below and some pillow above to create the rest of the composition. The wave of blue in the bottom right of the first picture is a great flourish. So this is an alternative way to look at your idea. Now the blanket and pillow frame the child and provide many references for the imagination of the viewer.

Lighting and Returning to the Subject to Repeat the Picture: The picture the camera takes is not what the eye can see. Can we go the extra distance in presentation? That's where both discipline is (to not ruin the pixels) and creativity directs us as to when it's valid to make changes. Obviously let's light and compose as perfectly as we can. If one is very careful, one can make post processing unneeded. Here, more work is justified in editing the image. I'd really consider doing that. When it's done, I'd then re shoot the picture with the new lighting and refined composition that I'd draw out carefully beforehand.

Impulse is great for grabbing a fleeting idea. However, sometimes one has to return to the subject and set things up to start afresh. I hope this is a real long term project and not a once off!

Asher

 

[Charlotte Thompson]

Bill

I am trying out the new lens I have- mostly to get a feel for it- nikon dx 17-55
it's a new toy and so like all new toys I am learning the possibilities- just my first shots with it-
I didnt crop or no ps work- I like what you did with the crop- thanks for coming by and being interested in my efforts-

Asher

Like I told Bill I have a new lens-nikon dx 17-55 and these are my first pictures from the lens- This is Peyton! her mother wanted me to take a few shots of her angelic sleep so I did some-these are just a few
I am learning the lens capabilites so you guys bare with me- I like how these did come out since the only light in the room was a small lamp-
I wanted you guys to judge for me how I did with it thats why all so close together- I like them-for the first try "ain't so bad"
thank you for your help as ever and always!

 

[janet Smith]

I have a new lens-nikon dx 17-55 and these are my first pictures from the lens- This is Peyton! her mother wanted me to take a few shots of her angelic sleep so I did some-these are just a few
I am learning the lens capabilites so you guys bare with me- I like how these did come out since the only light in the room was a small lamp-
I wanted you guys to judge for me how I did with it thats why all so close together

Hello Charlotte

Well I think you're doing well with your new toy - I think these are lovely. IMO the first one is best, showing more of the soft blanket around her, I can almost feel you tip-toeing in her room, definitely a moment and a shot to cherish, brings back lovely memories of my own children when they were small....

Have you tried it in b&w? Do you mind if I try?

 

[John Angulat]

Hi Charlotte,
Congrats on your new toy! I'm sure you will find the lens to be your favorite.
I am quite taken by the lullaby image. She is quite adorable!
I also agree with Bill's comment - I think you tend to post too many of the same or similar images. I only say it because it seems to take away from what your post intended - to catch our attention and hold it. Try to choose the best of the series and go with that. When I see a group of the same, my mind wanders and my attention is lost.
You certainly possess a skill and artistic eye for capturing children at their most adorable moments. Tease us with one image and allow us to savor it. It will make it all the more special.
Too much of a good thing is not always the best option.
Have a wonderful New Year!

 

[Charlotte Thompson]

Janet

thank you and yes you may try it in bandw I haven't had the time yet to look at them that way-I was indeed tip toeing around her slumber as mouse quiet as I could be not to disturb that precious moment!


John

I know I tend to post more than I should and sometimes my enthusiasm gets the best of me!
ah passions eh?
and I can't wait to get more with the new lens- its a good one indeed!
thank you for your encouragements and nice compliment on my children's work-I love them so! when I started with this I never knew where it would take me, -

 

[janet Smith]

try it in bandw - I haven't had the time yet to look at them that way-I was indeed tip toeing around her slumber as mouse quiet as I could be not to disturb that precious moment!

Here's me quick try Charlotte, after all that I prefer the original colour version!

 

[Charlotte Thompson]

Janet

Oh how nice! I did the same thing yesterday and put it on my screen saver here it is-
I appreciate what you did-thank you

so here is mine- whatcha' think?

 

[janet Smith]

so here is mine- whatcha' think?

Hi Charlotte

Your version's better than mine, I overdid it, trying to go for a lighter look, whichever way colour or b&w you have a nice keeper, happy new year to you and yours and everyone at OPF!

 

[Charlotte Thompson]

Janet

Happy New Year!

neither really is better just 2 different takes!

 

[Asher Kelman]

Hi Charlotte,

Riskit! is not for testing lenses. ¥our subject is good enough for you to do it again until it's ready for prime time. Otherwise this is not doing it's job. So you really should consider doing this again with careful composition and lighting to take this idea to the nth.

Happy shooting.

Jan, your softer version is ethereal. Less distraction by colors and pillow case creases.
work is divine!

Asher

 

[Charlotte Thompson]

Hi Asher

Riskit I thought was a risk for those of us trying to find the happy medium and then bringing that medium to higher highs-I always know what I do can be better and risk trying with or without new lens-
I am risking it trying my new lens and new compositions-love the challenge as always!
Happy New Year!

 

[Charlotte Thompson]

Happy New Year from Peyton

 

[Charlotte Thompson]

The New Age Peter Pan

all comments welcome as well as crits-
a new idea for me-

 

[William Blackford]

Definitely more dynamic than your usual style. The blurring is obviously not incurred by motion, but a way to flesh out an intended essence, imagined or otherwise. Essentially you've given the boy both the helmeted wings of Mercury and the spine-based wings of the classic angel. Such appendages of flight, as depicted, seem based on the merit of his precocious aspirations to a man of brawn. Indeed a worthy enough depiction, but I would have liked to have seen this cropped so as to concentrate the theme.

There! The little Godling has met James Dean.

Thank you for posting and I like this new direction your heading in.

 

[Charlotte Thompson]

Blackford

nice to see you at OPF again!
and thank you for such an insightful understanding of my work!
You Must Be My Crop-ier" very nice touch, thank you so much!

would that I could learn all at once
everything inside this galaxy of melting snow
and tripped out minds-

Charlotte-

 

[Charlotte Thompson]

the moment for once

thank you belif
thank you taste
thank you beauty-

one mnore to kill you-

Charlotte-

 

[Charlotte Thompson]

cropped and softer-

 

[Charlotte Thompson]

Got Milk

My ongoing study of portrait work-color, crop, expression, light- this one is a candid capture
of course this model is known to most of you- well here it is-anything of a reply is always welcome crit or questions-