My baby's first School Dance

[Manta]

My 13 yr-old is off to her first School Dance tonight and had big sister do her make-up for her. Pity she couldn't find a better photographer to do some portraits... Still - the grandparents won't know the difference.

C&C appreciated.

[sirhc55]

For such an ugly bugger you have a beautiful daughter Simon

Actually, your daughter looks very much like Brittany Murphy, the actress

The pics, very nicer keepers of a first school dance.

[Manta]

You're right on both counts Chris - me being an ugly bugger and Emily being a beautiful girl. Something went haywire with the genes obviously.

I hadn't seen the Brittany Murphy resemblance before however there was a magazine cover shot of Reese Witherspoon at a newsagent recently and we all thought we were looking at Emily in a few years time. Might have just been the lighting used in the shot but she was dead ringer.

Thanks for the comments, mate.

[sirhc55]

You’re welcome.

Here’s Brittany http://www.imdb.com/gallery/granitz/5063/Events/5063/BrittanyMu_Mazur_9985440_400.jpg?path=pgallery&path_key=Murphy,%20Brittany

[Oscar]

You should definately frame the shot on the left. But put it in a safe place where all the boyfriends can't get to it!!! Great shots Simon. Cheers, Mick

[Underload]

Awesome stuff mate. My sister had her year 12 formal recently - so ditto the photographer comments

You've done well mate - she (and you) should be very proud

[jammy2]

Very nice portrait both you and your daughter should be proud..well done..as mentioned the left shot should be framed

[Manta]

Wow - thanks all.

There's a rather nice 8x10 sitting on my study desk at the moment - the R800 did a great job of it - and it'll be on a wall tomorrow.

I actually printed two; the one on the left as is and a cropped version of it. Opinions on the crop???

[Geoff]

Beautiful daughter and beautifully captured Simon.

The crop works a treat! Well done.

[Manta]

Cheers Geoff. She sure doesn't like the moustache though!!!

[Pa]

beautiful lass and the image on the left is the pick.i dont know why your
knocking the photog.
cheers pa

[sirhc55]

Cheers Geoff. She sure doesn't like the moustache though!!!

Well, she can always shave it off

[Manta]

beautiful lass and the image on the left is the pick.i dont know why your
knocking the photog.
cheers pa

Thanks Pa - I guess I'm knocking myself because I still have so much to learn about lighting, posing and composition for portrait work. I know the best teacher is to view the work of others but I just don't seem to get the time. Something I should really invest in...

[Manta]

Cheers Geoff. She sure doesn't like the moustache though!!!

Well, she can always shave it off

 ROFLMAO!

(For those who don't know what we're talking about: go to http://www.movember.com - and sponsor me in my efforts to raise much needed funds for men's physical and mental health issues - my registration number is 33665 and all donations over $2 are tax-deductible. Too many men die from preventable causes!!)

[Ladybird]

Emily looks beautiful - her eyes are stunning! You've done well!

I like the cropped shot the best as it puts more focus her.

[Manta]

Thanks LB - you know this isn't my preferred genre and I'm still very much feeling my way. It certainly helps when I've got such a photogenic model on tap - when she's in the mood.

[gstark]

Simon,

Something went haywire with the genes obviously.

Clearly, she takes after her mother.


I love the crop; it works well.

And technically, you've nailed the wb, focus is spot on, great contrast and curve settings ... lighting looks A1.

It's all been said.

Go away. The message is over!

[Manta]

Thank you Gary. You guys all know your stuff so well in this area so it's great to know I finally nailed one.

[Matt. K]

Manta
Great job! She looks great. but I would be tempted to knock the red out of her left eye. Maybe desaturate it just a little?

[Manta]

Manta
Great job! She looks great. but I would be tempted to knock the red out of her left eye. Maybe desaturate it just a little?

Good point Matt. I wanted to keep it as natural as possible but, looking at the print here in front of me as well, that corner of the eye is a little...too natural!

Thanks.

[Raskill]

Lovely shot mate. I'm sure your daughter would be horrified to be called 'stunning' and 'beautiful' by your mates, but she is.

Thats a shot you'll look back on and rightly, for all sorts of reasons, be proud.

Well done!!