Blatant Plagiarism

[Icebear]

One of the very accomplished lady photographers on this forum posted a similar shot recently. It really grabbed me, and since my daughter just presented me with a new grandson, I "took inspiration" from that shot. Thank you to my unnamed Muse.

Anyway, it's pretty much as it came out of the camera, except I blurred the ugly disposable diaper, and cloned out the equally ugly umbilical stump (little guy's less than three days old). I intend to shoot it again without the diaper once his circumcision trauma (cruel, cruel) calms down. I also think I need a bit more DOF. The feet WERE the focal point, but I think I overdid it.

Whale away.
http://portfoliofotos.smugmug.com/photos/202255426-L.jpg

[i_worship_the_King]

I like the shot setup a lot, but why did you pick the feet as the focal point? Is there some kind of significance to feet I'm not aware of?

[Icebear]

I just love teenie infant's feet. After I rub their fuzzy little heads, I want to sqoosh their feet. Now you know. Don't spread it around.

[SloYerRoll]

I like the concept of the shot. I'd of picked a lighter b/g, but that's preference.

I agree w/ you about the DOF 100%.

Allot of negative space (empty) at the top of the shot as well.

Baby looks pretty ticked at the moment. Good thing this wasn't video!!

crack:wink

-Jon

[jogle]

I love the shot. I think the framing is great. (all that space up the top is needed so that the feet don't fall on the halfway line)

I'd like to see more contrast in the background, maybe another light on the left, much further round so the nappy doesn't pick up too much, but enough to give a stronger rim light to him, it might help seperate the feet from the body more if the shadowed area of the body is darker. Although if you do this, you might have to go to a lighter background as sugested earler.

[Dogdots]

I think this is a beautiful shot. As for the feet being the focal point I think it is good. When babies are born one of the first things they do to identify the baby is take it's footprints.

Little hands and feet are all associated with babies. I would love to see what you could do with the hands.

[Icebear]

I actually have an idea for the hands. Now to figure out how to communicate my concept to my model! If I pull it off, I'll post it.

[Dogdots]

Good luck on the communication. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

[pathfinder]

Close up shots of infants feet can be very appealing, especially if the infant is your progeny.

I think this image is a shot of an infant from the bottom, but does not really emphasize the feet as the primary visual subject. I would shoot this again with a wide angle lens, and try to emphasize the feet in the frame versus the infant's body. Or maybe try to capture the foot with a macro lens close up.

[Gary Glass]

It's not clear to this viewer exactly what you're taking a picture of. The cloth backdrop suggests a formal portrait. But the angle and the foot-focus suggests an art shot. If you're going for the feet in an effort to capture a sense of intimacy and innocence, then I would suggest a couple of things: lower angle, so the feet really obscure the baby's body, wider angle lens, even shallower DOF, nude / no diaper (that big white blob really weakens the composition), and do it in B&W (which will eliminate the distracting color of the backdrop).

[Icebear]

The WA lens suggestions are helpful. I considered that, but the room was pretty dim and my Tokina 12-24 is only f4. I'll certainly use the WA when I try it again in a brighter location.

Since his Momma was so happy with the results the first time, maybe she'll let me put him through it again. Fortunately, he's a pretty easy little guy to get along with. Every time you take the damn diaper off though, he pees.

Shooting babies is a heck of a lot harder than shooting buildings. Tables, chairs, window treatments, etc, are real patient as I fiddle with the lighting. I did try some hand shots today. I'm not happy with them, but I'll post one at the Whuppin' Post anyway, just to get some learnin'.