Girl in red

Mike McCarty · 03-10-2007, 11:35 PM

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.

Julie Deane · 03-11-2007, 09:30 AM

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.

Mike McCarty · 03-11-2007, 09:47 AM

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.

Linda Brandon · 03-11-2007, 12:53 PM

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

Mike McCarty · 03-11-2007, 01:15 PM

Linda,

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

And a bucket of crabs ...

Marcus Lim · 03-11-2007, 10:10 PM

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.

Mike McCarty · 03-11-2007, 10:55 PM

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.

Claudemir Bonfim · 03-12-2007, 07:22 PM

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

Mike McCarty · 03-13-2007, 05:56 PM

Thank you Claudemir,

I traded these photos for haircuts.

Chris Saper · 03-19-2007, 08:59 PM

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.