A few from my last family shoot

[DigMe]

They really wanted to focus on the children so that's what I mostly shot. Here are a few:






An example of how I often break "the rules" on purpose - short focal length, looking down at a child. And it's one of my favorite pics of the set personally:






The little girl was so charming. I got so many cute pictures of her. I guess based on these pics you would call it a children's shoot but I got some of the parents and the family as well.

brad

[auddii]

Love the first one, his eyes and lashes are gorgeous!! My only nit is that he's obviously been rolling around in the leaves, and they're all over him. Very nice series, and you're right, the rules were definitely worth breaking for #2.

[DigMe]

He actually wasnt rolling around. He was in fact reluctant to get on the ground both times I asked him to and he was somewhat distressed by the leaves sticking to him. :)

brad

[texkam]

I like what I see. Wish you would had put up a few more. Yes, #2 is wonderfully creative. Does the little sliver in the upper right corner bother you?

[DigMe]

Originally Posted by texkam

I like what I see. Wish you would had put up a few more. Yes, #2 is wonderfully creative. Does the little sliver in the upper right corner bother you?

Thanks, Tex. Seems that there is always a complaint here when someone puts up more than three for CC so I kept it to three.

I can honestly say that after looking at all of these over and over and over in editing my eye has never been drawn to that little strip of cement. I probably should have cloned it out but I think the subject is strong enough and the edge is burned enough to make it a nonissue.

brad

[groovyone]

Love that second shot. Great shot that seems to capture her personality.

[Abel]

Originally Posted by DigMe

Thanks, Tex. Seems that there is always a complaint here when someone puts up more than three for CC so I kept it to three.

Just FYI, the 3 photos for CC is our limit per our CC Guidelines...

New Constructive Critiques Guidelines

Thanks for adhering to them and helping us establish a standard. I appreciate it.

[auddii]

Originally Posted by DigMe

He actually wasnt rolling around. He was in fact reluctant to get on the ground both times I asked him to and he was somewhat distressed by the leaves sticking to him. :)

brad

Ha, now I'm picturing you freaking out this little OCD kid.

I actually like the leaf sticking to the sweater in the first picture, just a little distracting and messy in the third. But, still love the shots.

[DigMe]

Originally Posted by Abel

Just FYI, the 3 photos for CC is our limit per our CC Guidelines...

New Constructive Critiques Guidelines

Thanks for adhering to them and helping us establish a standard. I appreciate it.

No prob!

Originally Posted by auddii

Ha, now I'm picturing you freaking out this little OCD kid.

I actually like the leaf sticking to the sweater in the first picture, just a little distracting and messy in the third. But, still love the shots.

I agree about on both counts. Thanks.


brad

[texkam]

Thanks, Tex. Seems that there is always a complaint here when someone puts up more than three for CC so I kept it to three.

Just FYI, the 3 photos for CC is our limit per our CC Guidelines...
Thanks for adhering to them and helping us establish a standard. I appreciate it.

Abel, I understand and agree that asking for critique on more than 3 isn't realistic, so I have no problem with this standard. I am not trying to be a wise guy, but here's my frustration. This seemed like a fun and creative shoot and I found myself wanting to see more. Having the ability to see how an artist works, their thought process, and having the ability to interact helps me, and I believe others, learn and improve; something our forum should embrace.

Of course there are workarounds to allow such creative exchanges. One workaround would be to post a set as NC hoping to invite a general creative dialog about the work, of course this eliminates detailed technical CC on 3 specific images, something that the OP may really desire. I'm in agreement, we don't want to hurt this aspect of the forum. Another workaround would be for one to post 3 as CC hoping to get the desired detailed technical CC, then post the rest of the set in a separate thread as NC inviting creative dialog in that thread. This seems a bit silly to me, but YMMV. A third workaround would be, once again, post 3 for detailed technical CC, but include a link to additional pics inviting additional feedback on these. I've seen this done, but many don't want to wade through 50 or more images then return to the thread to ask a question or comment. Unfortunately, each of these options involves both the OP and viewing member to put forth additional effort, something that many won't bother doing.

With that said, let me offer a new solution. Allow members to post more than 3 images in a CC thread if they wish, but only the first 3 are subject to the CC standard. The rest are there for the enjoyment/education of the viewer. Comment on those in general only if you wish. Don't want to deal with them, don't bother scrolling past the initial 3.

Just trying to make this an even better forum.

I can honestly say that after looking at all of these over and over and over in editing my eye has never been drawn to that little strip of cement. I probably should have cloned it out but I think the subject is strong enough and the edge is burned enough to make it a nonissue.

Interesting Brad. Yes, sometimes an image can get too staid or ordinary. Agreed, the focal length, angle and little things like this that put an image in context make it work. I like your work.

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by texkam

Abel, I understand and agree that asking for critique on more than 3 isn't realistic, so I have no problem with this standard. I am not trying to be a wise guy, but here's my frustration. This seemed like a fun and creative shoot and I found myself wanting to see more. Having the ability to see how an artist works, their thought process, and having the ability to interact helps me, and I believe others, learn and improve; something our forum should embrace.

Of course there are workarounds to allow such creative exchanges. One workaround would be to post a set as NC hoping to invite a general creative dialog about the work, of course this eliminates detailed technical CC on 3 specific images, something that the OP may really desire. I'm in agreement, we don't want to hurt this aspect of the forum. Another workaround would be for one to post 3 as CC hoping to get the desired detailed technical CC, then post the rest of the set in a separate thread as NC inviting creative dialog in that thread. This seems a bit silly to me, but YMMV. A third workaround would be, once again, post 3 for detailed technical CC, but include a link to additional pics inviting additional feedback on these. I've seen this done, but many don't want to wade through 50 or more images then return to the thread to ask a question or comment. Unfortunately, each of these options involves both the OP and viewing member to put forth additional effort, something that many won't bother doing.

With that said, let me offer a new solution. Allow members to post more than 3 images in a CC thread if they wish, but only the first 3 are subject to the CC standard. The rest are there for the enjoyment/education of the viewer. Comment on those in general only if you wish. Don't want to deal with them, don't bother scrolling past the initial 3.

Just trying to make this an even better forum.

Interesting Brad. Yes, sometimes an image can get too staid or ordinary. Agreed, the focal length, angle and little things like this that put an image in context make it work. I like your work.

There are entire discussion threads already devoted to this.

[texkam]

Sorry Keith, please feel free to relocate the above post. Just trying to offer a solution. : )

[DigMe]

Thanks, Texkam. Here's a blog post with a few more of the pics:

Brad Cook Photography Waco, TX: Family and Children Photo Session at Cameron Park Waco Family Photographer

I haven't previously blogged my work aside from the service blog in my sig. I decided to start with this one.

brad

[texkam]

Thank you.

Cute shot of the family. The stairs make a nice framing element. Nice color on the shot of the little boy (2nd from last). Did you use supplemental lighting? I see some nice catchlights and warm tones.

[DigMe]

Yes. I used a speedlight through a Cowboystudio 16x16 softbox. The speedlight was gelled with a 1/4 CTO for a little warmth. Sometimes I was handholding the whole contraption and shooting. I should have hired a lighting assistant for this shoot in hindsight but the dad was willing to hold it some. I decided to nix the stand when I saw how squirmy the youngest kid was. If I'm in that situation again I'll probably go with my Lumiquest LtP softbox instead. Not as large of a modifier but much easier to handhold!

brad