K.

Posted by Melissa W. (Warsaw, Indiana, United States) on 28 February 2008 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.

I was over at my sister's house, while her husband was putting up Christmas lights outside their home back in November. My niece and nephew were outside waiting to see the sparkling lights. I thought it would make a perfect photo opportunity.

My only light source was a lighted reindeer which you can see the reflection of in his eyes.

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Comments (16)

Rags from Plano, United States

I love the effect the light has on his face. You have made a superb image. I really like it.

28 Feb 2008 5:16am

@Rags: Thank you so much, Kanyi. I'm glad you like it.

Ron from Saint Louis, United States

Melissa, another stunningly beautiful portrait. In both M. and K. you've captured the beauty and youthful innocence of your niece and nephew. Were these shots Christmas presents to your sister?

28 Feb 2008 10:46am

@Ron: Yes, they ended up being Christmas presents for both my parents and my sister. I made a photo album through MyPublisher.com using some of the images I shot that evening and ones from Thanksgiving (I'll upload those later). I also had a couple 8x10 prints made of the images that I thought were the best of the bunch to frame and display for them. Needless to say, my parents and my sister were thrilled to receive these.

Thank you so much for the kind words, Ron. Sorry for the wordy reply. ;)

Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States

As I looked at this photo I thought of Christmas, even before I read your explanation. This is a really special, wonderful portrait of some of the hope and magic of a child in that season.

28 Feb 2008 1:07pm

@Viewfinder: Thank you so much, VF. You have such a wonderful way with words; I couldn't have said it better. Thanks again! :)

Man With 101 Names from Hamburg, United States

Your last two photo's have been sensational , they look like a shot you would see on tv for a holiday commercial .... AWESOME WORK !

28 Feb 2008 2:31pm

@Man With 101 Names: Wow! You just made my day! Thank you. :)

Reza from Montreal, Canada

The eyes ! Wonderful portrait.

28 Feb 2008 4:12pm

@Reza: Thank you, Reza.

danthro from Suburbia, United States

Another amazing portrait. i'm not sure if i like this better or yesterday's, i think maybe this one a little more. he has this child's look of wonder in his eyes. again this light and color is magical. and of course, night detail, dof, etc. well done!

28 Feb 2008 5:03pm

@danthro: K. was your typical busy body, so I was thrilled with any picture that didn't end up looking like a big blur. I'm not one who's into a lot of lighted decorations to display outside for Christmas, but after seeing how these turned out, I'm seriously considering buying my own lighted reindeer. ;)

Thanks, danthro, for the comment. :)

Will from Gainesville, United States

wow...great lighting...beautiful portrait...love yesterdays and todays:)

28 Feb 2008 7:33pm

@Will: Thank you so much, Will. :)

Graham Russon from Cape Town, South Africa

Another Great shot, the only criticism/comment I have, is that I would have preferred for his other eye to have been more in focus, like you did in yesterday's shot.

28 Feb 2008 7:53pm

@Graham Russon: Yeah, me too. That's the one thing, to me, that sticks out like a sore thumb. I didn't want to mention it in the description, because I wanted people to decide for themselves.

As always, Graham, thank you so much for your comments. :)

Daniel from Scranton, United States

Very cool. I used similar lighting from a christmas tree for a portrait this year after watching Lord of the rings. There is a part in the movie where galadriel is introduced and they used christmas lights for specular lighting catchlights in the eyes. Really nicely done and with you shooting wide open like that you did a good job of keeping that one eye in focus and letting everything else drop off.

Cheers,
Daniel

28 Feb 2008 8:17pm

@Daniel: Thank you so much, Daniel, for the little boost of confidence. Very much appreciated.
Now you've gotten me curious about that part of the movie...I think I remember the scene, but looks like I need to get out the DVD to refresh my memory. :)

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by my photoblog and leaving a comment.

Helma from Tehran, Iran

nice portrait with the best focuss ! thanks.

28 Feb 2008 8:22pm

@Helma: Thank you, Helma.

Saeed from Tehran, Iran

very nice portrait with great focus & lighting . . .

29 Feb 2008 9:31am

@Saeed: Thank you so much, Saeed. I'm glad you like it.

Edward James from Derry, United States

Incredible.
His eyes say it all. He's going to be a heart breaker.
Amazing portrait. I love it.

29 Feb 2008 12:40pm

@Edward James: Thank you so much, Edward. I agree about the heartbreaker. The first heart he'll break will belong to his Mom because he has her wrapped around his little finger. Thanks again. :)