Monday, July 12, 2010

dear dad

This weekend, a family posed for portraits. It was so cool! I set everything up in a locked classroom the night before. The room had air conditioning; I played soft music; the lights and backdrops were all in place. It was as smooth and "professional" as I could reasonably expect.

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I was mainly looking for the one portrait that goes in your standard 8 x 10. You know, the family picture that goes in the living room. But as I tweaked the settings and lights (three of them wear glasses), I collected a couple dozen shots. As I posed them, the teenage daughters would ask me, "Should we smile for this one?" Every time they asked, I barked "No! Don't smile yet!" (heh heh) I think Grandpa took it seriously, because he didn't smile, except for when I asked him to.

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I picked three shots that I think accomplished what we were hoping for, but then browsed through the rest of them for fun croppings. I like this one a lot. This is because I like to give them a little more than they ask for. In this shot with Grandpa, Mom has her eyes closed, but the emotion is just right! That's a keeper.

12 comments:

Chris said...

It is a very beautiful shot, full of emotion as you said. Gorgeous! They are beautiful!

imac said...

Its always like this init Craver, the shots we worry about sweat about, and then you post such a beauty as this, full of feelings and love.

EG CameraGirl said...

I agree that this is a keeper! I can feel the love.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

For sure it is a keeper. What a lovelt shot Craver. The closed eyes adds to the pure look of joy. Really wonderful!!

George said...

You're right -- this picture is a keeper. I like the love it shows.

lime said...

aww that is a lovely capture, craver. well done. i'm sure the family will be well pleased.

Jesson Balaoing said...

Thanks for sharing, nice post!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Craver: You are getting to be quite the accomplished photographer.

Shammickite said...

Grandpa looks a little apprehensive about what you might ask him to do next.
You're getting quite professional!

Gaelyn said...

Good practice for the wedding. Great capture of Dad and Mom. They look very comfortable together.

Craver Vii said...

Chris, I was thinking about showing the rest of the family, too. They all did a splendid job. I know it is difficult to behave naturally in front of a camera.

That's so true, Imac. If I had been shooting film, I might have been more conservative, and then we would have missed this moment.

They're genuinely nice folks, EG. I am glad to know them.

It's funny Joan, that usually closed eyes "ruin" a portrait, but this time, it was a key ingredient.

I would have tried for more George, but it was almost an hour after church, and I didn't want to keep them from lunch.

Craver Vii said...

I sure hope so, Lime. I'm going to show the pics to someone who has done professional work, and see if I can get a critique from him. (taking a deep breath) Wish me luck!

Jesson and/or Rey Ann, thanks for visiting! Come again. :-)

Well, all I can say Fishing Guy, is that I'll keep trying. And your encouragement means a lot to me. Thanks.

And do you know what, Bird Girl? They didn't try to fly away! (lol)

Shammy, he had a "poker face" for all but one picture. He had this huge grin on his face, and I turned around to find his son-in-law behind me, making faces.

That's true Gaelyn. One thing I discovered from this shoot, that I hadn't thought much of before, is how much time I will have to spend in post-production. It's a little intimidating.