With great apprehension I'm sharing these here, simply due to thinking these aren't near the caliber of the other work here. But only one way to learn. So these were my first shoots dealing with kids in circumstances like this. Getting a toddler to be distraught/overwhelmed and not simply sad or upset was... time consuming. These were ultimately used in a life insurance ad series for a local credit union. How could I do better?
These were used in a life insurance ad campaign during life insurance awareness month aka September. These were to portray the the destitution or hard life that your children might face if the worst were to happen and were left unprovided for.
To help convey and contribute to the gritty-ness all the light was left bare bulb with the exception of flash mounted flags to help prevent light spilling and lens flairs (which with the hard angle light proved to be an issue).
Additionally for the get go I wanted to make the end view feel more included/a part of the situation, so the focal length was predetermined. I wanted wider than 50mm for the sense of being there but narrower than 24mm due to the distortion that happens. So I was shot all of them right around 35mm. All of them at or just above eye level.
Above all else, any suggestions for improvements? I'm here to learn after all...
I think that they are great shots! If they were mine, I would maybe play with a bit more contrast, or a bit darker blacks. But, these I think they are really cool!
Thank God the hood closing spring was removed and for the out-of-frame multiple ropes securing the hood from closing in the event of strut failure otherwise the irresponsibility of No. 1 would scare the sh*t out of me. Four foot mousetraps can be so hard on a toddler.
There's only one thing I would change, and that's the light on the left side of the face on both boys/pics. I understand that you used a bare bulb for the effect, but I'd still want it so it didn't cast that strange shadow on the left side of the face, particularly on the first shot. Other than that, I thought you nailed. What a great model that boy turned out to be!
nolaguy wrote:
Thank God the hood closing spring was removed and for the out-of-frame multiple ropes securing the hood from closing in the event of strut failure otherwise the irresponsibility of No. 1 would scare the sh*t out of me. Four foot mousetraps can be so hard on a toddler.
Very interesting concept. Well done... I think.
There was no rope... and the spring wasn't removed because there isn't one on that car. What there was, was a block camped in the hing passenger side out of frame acting as a fail safe to the prop rod that is in frame. I care a little too much about my nephew to let a hood drop on him. Additionally there was a person just out of frame ready to grab him should he lose his footing and/or went to grab/touch something that wouldn't be conducive to his continued health and well being.
Clayton G wrote:
I think that they are great shots! If they were mine, I would maybe play with a bit more contrast, or a bit darker blacks. But, these I think they are really cool!
These were then used to create posters, kick banners, email bastes, etc. in the design to direct focus a multiply vignette was used that ultimately darkened the image further.
friscoron wrote:
I love the concept here. Great job!
There's only one thing I would change, and that's the light on the left side of the face on both boys/pics. I understand that you used a bare bulb for the effect, but I'd still want it so it didn't cast that strange shadow on the left side of the face, particularly on the first shot. Other than that, I thought you nailed. What a great model that boy turned out to be!
I fully agree and I tried to prevent it with two low power flashes camera right, but live and learn right? It didn't help that the gritty editing furthered the problem.
These are very nice images. Like them a lot. I enjoy seeing and taking pictures of children doing something. And your work here is stellar.
However, and this is not directed at the op-photographer but at the insurance company. Why is working with one's hands portrayed as such a dire and terrible thing? That if daddy buys enough life insurance the child can avoid such a "horrible life outcome."
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jodo wrote:
These are very nice images. Like them a lot. I enjoy seeing and taking pictures of children doing something. And your work here is stellar.
However, and this is not directed at the op-photographer but at the insurance company. Why is working with one's hands portrayed as such a dire and terrible thing? That if daddy buys enough life insurance the child can avoid such a "horrible life outcome."
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The terrible fate is child labor, not "blue collar " work. The professions were chosen because the ads are running in a more salt of the earth market, so it makes them more relatable.
And to take a moment to not be serious; as to your comment, why does daddy have to be the bread winner?
neighbourboy wrote:
Really nice job on these. I love how his hand prints show up on the engine in the first picture.
--David
Thanks! Sticky kid hands are good for something after all!
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Prettym1k3 wrote:
As a car guy with a 3 year old, this is AMAZING.
As a photographer, this is AMAZING.
Great concept, and great shots!
Thanks! The car one was the easiest one. Turns out kids love to make noise, and banging two open wrenches together is AMAZING! The 3/8" socket turned out to be too heavy for him.
Additionally there was a person just out of frame ready to grab him should he lose his footing and/or went to grab/touch something that wouldn't be conducive to his continued health and well being.
Would I change something? Well, after multiple minutes on each