Girl in red
 

Here are some recent photos I took of a little girl. These first few are square compositions that I think look pretty good.

These were shot with my Nikon D70 with the kit zoom lens. It was about 10:30 - 10:45 in the morning. The sun was a little higher than I wanted but we managed.

When I photograph hyper kids, like this little girl was on this day, I will put them as close to the light as I can and give them as much direction as I think they will tolerate. After that I just get myself in position and wait while looking through the view finder. For the first 10 seconds you won't see much that is worth taking because they are usually mugging, fidgeting and what not, but eventually their attention is drawn away from you and they begin to look natural again. This is when you have about a 10 second window before they completely loose it and you have to start all over again.

These are beautiful, Mike! I especially like no. 1.

A kindred spirit - I too find that my best shots are usually those taken within a very short time frame.

Thanks Julie,

Outdoor light is the toughest, I think, and when you add to it a fidgety kid it becomes the most challenging. I think the square comps could make for a nice quadruplich.

Here are a few more from the same day.

These are lovely shots, Mike! You do such a nice job with these.

Linda,

Here's a wink. I'm still looking for a nod.

And a bucket of crabs ...

Hi Mike, these are all great shots which capture the girl's spritely spirit. This particular one caught my attention, and i think you've got something there that you can search along.

Thanks Marcus,

I'm fond of that one as well. That one and the crabs.

What a difference a second can make. She was all squirms but usually managed to settle down after a moment or two. This one being in the midst of a squirm.

It's not very obvious that she is standing just at the entrance to a large patio. To my left is a large volume of increasing shadow and to my right an increasing light. We were right on the cusp where the light transitions and became very soft and cool.

This is one way to control the harshness of the great outdoors. Find some kind of structure, be it a tree or a building that can provide a moderating influence to the light. And if you can provide cover above as well, like an awning or shed, then the light begins to come at the subject from the side like a window. And that's a good thing.

What a lovely little lady. I loved all of the shots.
Great job!

Thank you Claudemir,

I traded these photos for haircuts.

Mike,

I love seeing your refernces- they get better every time.

I would love to see you paint the third one down in the first group.

Thank you Chris,

I may paint one of these someday. For now they join the others in waiting.

Mike, I am with Marcus on his choice too, what a gorgeous model. Great photography!

Thanks Ngaire,

How bout showing us a few shots of Toowoomba! Where the heck is that in relation to the sun.

Great stuff -- I particularly like the first and third ones.

Funny Mike! I am in the same galaxy but just slightly left field of your front door and straight down, actually I think I could very well be underneath your seat right this minute, look down now between your feet, I am waving to you now, can you see me. ;)

I am going sketching local scenery after lunch today with another artist, I will post you a photo of the area when I get back.

Survived the windy cloudy conditions, grabbed a few photos for you though Mike. My son will download them tomorrow for me. Until then.

Excellent Mike!
 

Start a painting! You don't have to show us yet, but start something when the inspiration hits you. This is good stuff. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

I'll even mail you an undepainting!

Garth

Thank you Garth,

I hope you don't stop with the under-painting -- keep going!, for mercy sakes!

Maybe we should have a "Paint the girl in red" portrait competition. We'll auction off the winner and donate the proceeds to the forum expense fund.