5.31.2010

lighting: 3 karli: 1

We started out good.
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Yep. Not too bad.
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Feeling positive, we decided to head to a nearby field. It was pretty overcast at the time, but no sooner than I unloaded the kids, camera, bucket, treats for bribery, etc...the sun started peeking out.
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It got bright. And hot. So we left to find some shade. Off to the next field!
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WOA! OK, she's sitting in the shade, so what's up with all the squinting?
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Shade, check. Facing the light, check.
Where are my beautiful catchlights?
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Yes, she's wearing hot pink. Yes, the chair is bright red.
Planning ahead is not my forte.
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And now for some experimentation. I have been wanting to figure out backlighting (since I'm such a pro at open shade - NOT)...you know, face your subject with their back to the sun so they glow. Here's my first try.
Hmmmmmm. Have I blinded you?
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Howza 'bouta be a nice baby and sit in the bucket while mommy fiddles with the camera, and big brothee will feed you a frosty?
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Then big brother will dump the frosty all over you (yes it was the 8 year old, not the 5 year old), and daddy will have to come clean you up.
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I'm open to suggestions. Anyone know how to do backlighting? I'm not really sure what I'm doing. (But I do like how her hair is glowing).
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OK, this is more what I was going for!
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And with that, I will concede and give lighting a point, but I'm also going to give myself a point. :-) I really like the first two shots of the day, and it was fun to practice with backlighting. Seriously, I'm open to suggestions if anyone has any!

You might wonder why I put pictures on my blog and then say I don't like them. :-) First of all, I'm learning, and I want this to show my progression of photography as I learn new things. Also, even though there might be squinting and nose flaring, they still are my kiddos, and I think they're pretty cute anyway! I want to remember the moments we captured, and not everything has to be perfect.

WHEW! What a long post. If you're still here, I wish you a happy Memorial Day weekend!

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Love the first two, and the last two! :D

Yay! I'm glad you gave yourself a point. And yay for a Daddy who cleans up frosty messes.. and feeds hungry girlies. ;)

I don't have any tips for you, as I'm just learning too.

elizabeth said...

love your shots - please post the answers to your back lighting questions when you find an answer - I would love to know !!!

The Mommy said...

OMG, great pictures:)Love your baby in a tub idea! Its like your trademark.
The first one and the third last collage are the cutest of the bunch.
Thanks so much for your sweet comment on my blog:)

Sarah Andrews said...

I have been following your baby in a bucket series and you are hilarious! Reminds me of the many shoots that I envision in my mind that NEVER work out! Great shots!

Mama Hen said...

Oh my goodness these are so wonderful!! You take such amazing photos! I take a lot of pictures and use Blurb.com to make 450 page books every year. A book of that size is only about $90.00 or so. And the quality is great! Well worth it. I tell all of my mommy friends who take a lot of pictures. Have a great night!

Mama Hen

Anna said...

I LOVE these, Karli!! Great job, really--backlighting is SO HARD! I usually edit mine after the fact, BUT I thought that maybe next time I would adjust my metering mode to spot metering, then the kiddo would be properly exposed (in theory ? maybe). It's either that or flash, and I know how much you love that. :) Your daught is so gorgeous, love seeing pics of that lil chiclet.

Unknown said...

I loved all of them, but I liked your first shot of backlighting. Again there is something very special about this picture. It is like looking into someone eyes and seeing their soul. She is beautiful.