Sunday, October 24, 2010

Slide Show Sunday: Portraits

I'm currently taking a portrait class. The first assignment was to do a session using outdoor natural light. On Friday before the Sunday class, I finally got the ballerinas to agree to going out for a "photo shoot."

They were willing to dress up for the session. 

We found a cool old turquoise phone at a yard sale to bring along.

The lighting was going to be perfect for a whole hour. 
 

I was going to knock this assignment out of the park.

No more than 15 minutes into the shoot, the Little Ballerina tried to climb a jagged tree stump. Her skirt got caught. She wailed. She screamed. And by the time I got to her, she had a gash down her leg a good two feet long. For real. It was big. It was bad. It was bleeding. Needless to say, she was done. 

Photo Shoot Take 2: Saturday afternoon

The Little Ballerina wanted nothing to do with trying again. She wanted to stay home. She is six. Umm...that would be a no-go. Luckily, the Big Ballerina was willing to help me out. She put on another outfit and walked over to the dunes behind our house with me. 

She was patient.

She was a ham.

And she was serious.

She let me blind her in the sunlight.

She tried to figure out how to dial a rotary phone.

And she danced in the setting sun.
When we were done, I was pleased with the portraits. I felt they captured the ballerinas' spirits. I played around with sun flare. Something I've wanted to try. 

Did I knock the assignment out of the park? Not. even. close. I had a good share of criticism from the teacher. Hopefully, I'll remember it all the next time.

17 comments:

kim {the non-mom blogger} said...

I really like how they turned out, especially the last one. Sorry about LB's leg :( And I totally understand the plight of the six-year-old girl......

Gabe said...

I love the B and W one of Big Ballerina. . .

Why would you need the class if you knocked it out of the park the first time, right???

Glad you are enjoying the class!

My Interior Life said...

Sounds like a fun class! My husband would love to take that one. I hope LB's leg is better, and the pics of BB are wonderful. Especially love her curls in the sunshine!

My Interior Life said...

P.S. - Where did you get BB's cute sneakers?

Thanks!
Kathy

sloan said...

No criticism from me, I love them!! My faves are the last one with the sun flare and the B&W one too ...LOVE!! I too was shooting portraits yesterday (a rehearsal for the dreaded x'mas card photo) - I used candy corn as a reward for cooperation, is that wrong?! Wish they had turned out half as pretty as these - nice job!!

{cindy} said...

I think they look amazing!
I love them all!
Had to laugh a bit about the rotary phone!!:)
Enjoy the day

Bridget said...

I think it's neat that you're taking a photography class, I've been wanting to do that. Glad that you are enjoying it and you had to great subjects to shoot!!

Kelli said...

Love, Love, Love them all!!! I really like the first one of LB, I'm guessing that this one kind of captures her personality. The b&w one is beautiful too. Good on you taking a class, when I first started using my first SLR (it was a 35mm film camera...lol) I self critiqued every photo (no photoshop ~ imagine that?) and I made little jottings on the back of each one and studied and studied them {sad I know}. I also think that sometimes it's easier to photograph other peoples kids, because they behave better for someone else...lol. :-)

Kelli said...

p.s. I'm loving the sun-flare too, going to have to try it myself!

Liz said...

I want that blue phone! And the string of pearls is a great photo prop idea!

knack said...

boo on the leg gash....that is so not a fun happening!

I love that you are taking a photography class.....and think your photos were great!

thank you so much for your sweet comment about the knack house! you always make me smile with your words!

xo

Jess said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jess said...

great shots!!! you are so lucky to have classes to take...there is nothing out here!!! the lighting on the b&w is amazing...love her hair!!! and the sun glare on the last one is perfect!! she is a great model!!

Dani said...

Ouch!

Well, I think you did a really good job! Your big girl came through like a champ.

I love the one where she is being serious. The lighting is kind of smoky.

Jen said...

Love these of course. The pearls...the phone...the serious! All of them!

So here is the coolest thing!
I just found out that we have a volleyball tournamnet in Va Beach early 2011...don't know any details...but as soon as I heard, I thought of you. A meeting in real life...could it be? I would love it!

Seizing My Day said...

Well... Fun course... fabulous pictures of your ballerinas... and lessons learned! I love it!! Love the props... pearls and a vintage phone... fantastic!! Grease baby! ha ha!

Unknown said...

Wow! These are beautiful, and that last one? I think you knocked it outta the park:)