Decisive Moments

[bochie]

Just found out how exciting silhoutte photography can be.
Beside, I don't have to worry about people's expressions :rolleyes

I'd appreciate any suggestion to improve the image/composition.

http://www.pbase.com/bochie/image/42930454.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/bochie/image/42930455.jpg

[digismile]

I like the shots. The outlines are nice and crisp, with excellent detail. I am more drawn to the second shot, but like the warmth of the colour in the first. For sure the second is the stronger of the two in my opinion.

Nice to see you on dgrin.

Brad

[Nir]

Bochie,

I love both shots!! They convey a sense of innocence of childhood, purity - children in play with no worries on their minds. The silhouettes make the images simple, they focus my attention to the children, nothing to distract you from the children.
I think the composition in the second shot is a little more pleasing - the slanted slope with the tree at the right - I'm guessing those are two boys watching the girl cartwheel - really fantastic composition and beautiful shot. I think this shot is worth tinkering with to get rid of the article on the ground to the right of the boys (it's the only distraction in the shot) and boost the orange to get the dramatic lighting like in the first shot.

I have to say again - I LOVE THESE SHOTS!! (maybe it has something to do with being a parent?)

[Mongrel]

I love these man-very well done. Especially the post work\sharpening, just right without get jaggies and all.

A very unique way to capture the scene, and as Nir said, they really do capture 'childhood' in a very real way.

One small, and I mean very small, well...maybe...very, very, very small *niggle*-the water bottle outline in the first shot dead center. Not worth trying to remove, but it did catch my eye.

Again, really nice work!

Take care,

Mongrel

[Nikolai]

Very clean silhouettes!
Was it real sky color or you played with LAB mode?

[wxwax]

Bochie, talk about a strong start! These are very cool! If I had my druthers, you'd see more of the kids' legs in the first shot, and the sky would be brighter in the second shot. But these are really nice! :thumb

[ginger_55]

I wish I had taken them, just as is. If the colors were evened out, and they can be, would make good illustrations for a kids book, mag article, whatever.

I like the action of the cartwheel, particularly downhill.

My only question would be, WHERE did you get these fantastic models, with no messy background, etc.

ginger

the girl is wearing a skirt???? That is suspicious, usually it is pants, shorts, you got winners and ran with them.................good.

[ian408]

Boy, these are some nice shots!

I think the second shot is stronger than the first. The action of the cartwheel
and the two observers is classic. Simple, strong statement here.

The lighting in the first shot is far stronger than the second. But the problem
is that you cut the feet off the kids in the shot.

Very nice shots here and welcome to dgrin!

Ian

[rahmonster]

:clapLovely. I really love them both!

[bfjr]

very nice shots :thumb

[USAIR]

Wow awesome photos very nice :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap
Would you share your workflow on these?

Thanks
Fred

[TristanP]

I prefer the second - shows more of a "scene". Very nicely done.

[ehughes]

Excellent work, the second shot should be framed and proudly displayed... :clap

Ed

[Higgmeister]

everyone else so I have nothing to add but Welcome. I also think #2 is the stronger shot because of the feet issue in #1. #1 is quite nostalgic.

So, are you going to share your technique and settings?

Thanks for sharing,
Chris

[bochie]

Wow, thank you everybody for all the responses.
I really appreciate it.

I was planning to take pictures of my wife flying a kite that day, but as the sun went down, I thought the kids playing on the hill were more interesting.
The second picture was taken a bit earlier than the first one, that's why the color is less dramatic. They were taken at Freestone Park.

Both pictures were taken using Nikon D70 + Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro Super II @ 1/500s f/11.0 ISO 200. I metered the brightest part and adjust a little to get that settings. In camera sharpening set to high and they were shot in NEF. Processed with NC, playing with WB. I think I use shade to make it warmer, boost the saturation a tad. The original background light is more paller than this. Although if you live in AZ for a while, you will definately see those amazing saturated sunset colors.
After NC, I process the pictures further in PS. I believed I adjust the curve a little and small amount of USM (130, 0.3, 0). Crop to remove some of the bottom part and make the slopping hill closer to the corner. I thought about removing the object on the ground but I forgot about it (and lazy too).

One thing that I regret is I did not use the burst mode to capture more frame (and I had set it to burst everytime too :dunno). Makes me wonder forever how the first one will look without the feet cut out.

I went back to the same park a couple of times after that but never found similar situations anymore.

[tsackmann]

I love that first photo! I stared at it for so long looking at each child that then the 2nd one didn't compare to it. (although I won't deny that it's good too) I guess it's just the color and the great profiles in the 1st shot that draws me in. (from the left) #1's hair flipping up, #2's perfect little boy look and the last girl's great facial profile! The water bottle as mentioned earlier did bother me a bit but I didn't notice it till after studying each child. I think you should keep your eye on that hill like you said you're doing. Good job!