Baby Blessing Leads to Photographic Lessons

Today was a special day for our family...our daughter had her baby blessing at church! My wifes's sister even made a beautiful blessing dress for her and we wanted to get some good pictures of her in it. (To see more pictures of our little angel in her blessing dress, please take a stroll down the recent addition on the "Wildlife of Moss Grove" trail.)

We learned some simple techniques that improved the quality of the picture.

First, we tried taking some pictures inside the house. The camera's flash can can overexpose the subject and trail a big black shadow on top of the darkened backdrop behind it and damage the quality of a photo, so we opened the curtains wide to let some of the natural light fill the room in hopes we wouldn't have to use the flash. Unfortunately it still left hard shadows and a dark subject:

Even brightening it up with software doesn't change the shadows problem.

We decided to move the picture-taking outside with the natural light hoping it would give more brightness and softer shadows.

We laid some blankets down on the grass in the shade to avoid the sun shining in our daughter's face. With a few adjustments to the camera settings to capture the light better, we compensated for the shade and got better results...softer tones, less harsh shadows.

(I did still brighten it up with software, though, I don't totally have my camera settings mastered yet.)

Even though moving the baby outsided in the natural light solved the harsh shadows problem, it almost over-compensated and left the subject a little bit flat. So we took a single sheet of white poster board and used it to reflect softer light back onto our baby which added a nice bright, almost glowing accent.

You can see a big difference. In the picture below, the poster board is positioned off camera to the top right. The shadows aren't too harsh, but the light accents the subject bringing out greater depth and texture. You can especially see added depth in her face and dress.

The lesson learned is that a simple piece of white poster board used as a light reflector, can really bring a picture to life.

Can you tell where the simple poster board reflector is on this picture?

Random Photos

I like how the focus is on the off-center flower, yet the colors balance the picture out without being symetrical.

I wish I had a stronger zoom, but I still like being able to see the craters of the moon.

The Astoria-Megler bridge from the Hammond Marina. Notice the 'fish bone' trees on the skyline--physical memories of the December wind storm.

This white moth on our white wall looks kind of angelic...

...until you see it close up. Especially with those piercing eyes and the 'hairy' look. I like how you can even see the shadow of antenae hairs on the wall.

Three Weeks Into This World

Our baby b is three weeks old today! Her due date was three days ago.

Little Hands

Little Feet

At 12-days-old, already developing her "mischief" look.

Wide-eyed @ 20 days.

Takes after daddy: happy to be in mommy's arms.

Peaceful Baby And Her Not-As-Peaceful Older Brothers

I just wanted to take a little snapshot of time regarding my children. Having another baby around the house after almost five years heightens your awareness of how much and how quickly your children change.

We've been enjoying watching home movies taken around each of the boys' births. Its amazing to see how much of their personalities haven't changed--they've just become more sophistocated in how they display their personalities.

Peaceful, sleeping baby B

C (age 5 in two weeks) not hiding his mischievous side.

K (age 6.5) trying to look 'suave' while still not hiding his 'blond' tendancies.

T (age 8): adventurous, fearless, and daring.

S (age 9.75) the brother guardian and Mom's best helper.

J (age 11) the connoisseur of obscure Nintendo trivia--and an ear for good music.

Baby B and the hand of comfort.