My friend has an adorable daughter who is her only girl of 7 children and her only red head. Of course, naturally occurring red heads make up apx. 2% of the world population -- but red heads with blue eyes make up less than 1%, so the world's smallest minority. That only contributes to her cuteness and specialness. She is only 6-years-old and such a perfect little model. She is naturally very quiet and demure, so very easy to instruct and photograph.
When I saw the beautiful peak spring blooms in our New Hampshire town, I knew I had to get her out there for a few shots. Here are some favorites:
1.) She looks like a little Scottish princess here:
I'm partial to blue-eyed red (orange) heads. 4 of the 6 most important people in my life are. My dad is one, my best friend is one, I married one, and I made one :-)
Jonathan Brady wrote:
beautiful images and beautiful young lady!
I'm partial to blue-eyed red (orange) heads. 4 of the 6 most important people in my life are. My dad is one, my best friend is one, I married one, and I made one :-)
Aw, so sweet! You are a lucky man!
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Peter Figen wrote:
Kristin - As always, you do such a great job of capturing the nuance of expression.
Thank you so much!
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gheller wrote:
Amazing light and venues, and a darling subject
I would try to vary her expression a bit, I am seeing the same one or two throughout the series.
Also, for (4) the slats on the house not being true horizontal is a pet peeve of mine. The bench is, but it is an easy fix in Photoshop.
(7) IMO suffers from a bit too much desaturation, making her skin look a bit sickly... not much, but I did notice it.
Otherwise, very nice!
HTH
greg
Thank you. I actually do not desaturate colors, but the light was probably diffused a bit by the umbrella. As for the slats, I worked that over, but making both of them perfectly straight is beyond my skills, at least as a simple fix. I appreciate the feedback.
KristinSmall wrote:
Aw, so sweet! You are a lucky man!
Indeed! :-D
KristinSmall wrote:
Thank you. I actually do not desaturate colors, but the light was probably diffused a bit by the umbrella. As for the slats, I worked that over, but making both of them perfectly straight is beyond my skills, at least as a simple fix. I appreciate the feedback.
Would you mind sharing how you typically light your images?
Would you mind sharing how you typically light your images?
Thanks!
Hi Jonathan -- I look for specific things with lighting, particularly an open sky area in front or to the sides of my subjects. With that I can also move them into places with more directional lighting (like against that fence) or backlighting. I also tend to shoot during the "Golden Hour" when the sun is quite low and pretty. I rarely use reflectors and almost never use flash, but they can help in a pinch. I hope that helps.
A wonderful series of beautiful portraits. Glad you decided to share so many. I do have a place in my heart for red heads. I find that some that I have known are insecure about their red hair and associated features (freckles). To me this is weird because I think it is a decided positive. Famous (or infamous) gorgeous red heads color their hair. Nicole Kidman and Lindsay Lohan to name two. I hope this young girl accepts her looks and grows into them with good self-esteem. I am not particularly fond of the term 'ginger' as it seems to classify red heads and put them in a separate class. It does seem like a popular term.
In terms of the images, I don't know how you do it. Each offers a different, complementary setting, an entire and complete story for each one. Each one is so independently good that I do not tire as I look at each successive image. You could have presented one or many more. Also, I have no idea how much processing you did on each picture but it is not obvious at all so that she seems to have been presented as she is (none of that extra work that can make an image more about the photographer than the subject).
Brev00 wrote:
A wonderful series of beautiful portraits. Glad you decided to share so many. I do have a place in my heart for red heads. I find that some that I have known are insecure about their red hair and associated features (freckles). To me this is weird because I think it is a decided positive. Famous (or infamous) gorgeous red heads color their hair. Nicole Kidman and Lindsay Lohan to name two. I hope this young girl accepts her looks and grows into them with good self-esteem. I am not particularly fond of the term 'ginger' as it seems to classify red heads and put them in a separate class. It does seem like a popular term.
In terms of the images, I don't know how you do it. Each offers a different, complementary setting, an entire and complete story for each one. Each one is so independently good that I do not tire as I look at each successive image. You could have presented one or many more. Also, I have no idea how much processing you did on each picture but it is not obvious at all so that she seems to have been presented as she is (none of that extra work that can make an image more about the photographer than the subject)....Show more →
Brev, I am humbled by your kids words! Thank you so much. I try to keep my processing to a minimum and to make the photos as natural-looking and clean as possible, so it thrills me to hear that I'm reaching my goal. It can definitely be fine line!
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Ernie Aubert wrote:
Nicely done; I think 5 is the best one.
Thank you -- it's definitely a top one for me, too.
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Mar73 wrote:
Wonderful set. #11 just makes me smile.
Oh, so glad to hear that. She was a little cutie and she did the hand-heart all on her own!
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Lisa_Holloway wrote:
I've loved watching this session go up on Facebook, such a gorgeous, sweet little girl - and beautiful images! Lovely work, Kristin!
Beautiful work Kristin! This is a gorgeous series. You captured this beautiful little girl perfectly. Her family should be very happy with your work. Thank you so much for sharing. It's work like this that inspires us improve our skills.
Ed
Wow, what a beautiful little lady and the photography is perfect; I love the entire series but #6 grabs me. My one negative is the placement of your signature within the viewing area where it competes for attention with the subject. It's much better in the lower corner, like #14 (IMO)... Mike
4meNex7 wrote:
Beautiful work Kristin! This is a gorgeous series. You captured this beautiful little girl perfectly. Her family should be very happy with your work. Thank you so much for sharing. It's work like this that inspires us improve our skills.
Ed
My wife's reaction...., Wow!
I appreciate that so much! And thank your wife for me, too.
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MikeMancil wrote:
Wow, what a beautiful little lady and the photography is perfect; I love the entire series but #6 grabs me. My one negative is the placement of your signature within the viewing area where it competes for attention with the subject. It's much better in the lower corner, like #14 (IMO)... Mike
