Bill Jennings's Photoblog
Mom's Prom Dress IV
Posted by Bill Jennings ((Bay Area Northern Calif), United States) on 21 April 2009 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.
Another great tradition my wife has started, is that every year we photograph each child near their birthday in either my wife's prom dress for our daughter, or my Boy Scout uniform for my oldest son, or my Explorer uniform for my youngest son. Over the coming years, we are building a series of them growing into adulthood using clothes either my wife or I wore as late teenagers.
This photo was taken near her fourth birthday, on our porch swing, with her wearing my wife's prom dress. Truly accidentally, there is a wysteria vine in the air behind her, that reminds me of a halo. Fitting for the smile she has in this portrait.
I have little or no experience with photographing portraits of kids and people - so if you see anything that can help me in this style of photography: please don't hesitate to give me feedback. I really want to learn how to make my kids look their best!
For all the photographers that watch my blog on their blogwatch, I try my best to also look at their blog. If you want me to watch your work, the best encouragement is to add me to your blogwatch. If I see something that I really like, or learn from, I will reference your page the next day, as I want to share the excitement of a great image.
There are some fantastic posts of macro flowers this week - I especially liked the macro photo Frangipani or Plumeria???? from Susan. I am inspired to go out, and find some flowers for me to play macro with.
And I really was thrilled by the color, texture, and inclusion of a lamp for variety in the photo Vue Imprena(bleu) Sur La Mer yesterday.
The composition, the colors, and the skill of handling complex lighting and DOF so well in AM3 is amazing. I am honored to be part of this community.
Just made it home after a month of travel - posted a few photos from my journey to within 48 miles of the antartica circle: at nearly the longest day of the year: hence, there was 21 hours a day of sunlight...
Thank you for your patience while I was out of touch.
I do hope you followed Bob Kelly's blog (my roommate) while he is still traveling - he is now on Easter Island - and will be updating his blog for some time to come - please check it out!
Photosanity from Folsom, United States
What a beautiful smile! Great tradition you have started, just don't show her fiance when she gets older, she will not be happy with you :-).
21 Apr 2009 5:30am
@Photosanity: Unless her fiance is a photographer, then he will be so pleased to have another reason to take out his camera. And if you are worried about her early photos, by the time she is wedded, google will have created a biography with photos that any suitor would have already read (and likely searched for). Did you recognize the bokeh of the 85mm prime?
@Zing: Thanks Zing!
@Eleftheria: Thank you. Happy belated Easter!
Linerberry from Sumner, Christchurch, New Zealand
What a truely beautiful image!!! I like your tradition, a great way to follow how they grow and change over each year! Superb!
21 Apr 2009 6:49am
@Linerberry: Can you tell I married a special wife? She is the "traditionalist" in the family. I need to start taking "silly pictures" so I can have fun on tuesday with the rest of the A-3 crew. Great to hear from you again tonight.
Sarito from Basingstoke, United Kingdom
ahhh.. very sweet. magical portrait Bill!!
21 Apr 2009 7:25am
@Sarito: Thank you Sarito. That's very kind to say it's magical.
Linda from Riga/Sigulda, Latvia
a beautiful shot of a very lovely girl, nice lighting and matching colours
21 Apr 2009 7:40am
@Linda: thank you Linda. I respect your work immensely, this is very kind to say to a proud Dad.
@Karthik: Yes, she's not in red for this photo - she loves pink now as well. Thanks for the kind words.
Mirza Ahmad from Thames Ditton, United Kingdom
What a wonderful capture, in all it's innocence. Wish we were as organised with our kids :-)
21 Apr 2009 8:37am
@Mirza Ahmad: I am not that organized. My wife is. She is fantastic. Thanks for the kind words from a Mom.
@LAE: Thank you. I hope to cherish the series from each year even more. I love the bokeh of the lens used.
zOOm from Paris, France
Very lovely shot, very candid ! A lovely princess as well ! :-)
21 Apr 2009 10:41am
@zOOm: Thank you zOOm. She is a princess and her smile radiates when she dresses up like Mom!
Marie-Hélène Ammor from Casablanca/Paris, Morocco
Absolutely superb ! And a great tradition giving wonderful memories !!
21 Apr 2009 10:51am
@Marie-Hélène Ammor: Thank you. My only fear is "what if I loose the images"? I will probably need to start printing on archive paper in several sizes soon. Thank you Marie-Hélène for your kind words on the photo.
Roman from Thunder Bay, Canada
This is absolutely beautiful portrait Bill. And the funny thing, this helo is the first thing I noticed and thought, how perfectly fitting to her spontaneous smile !!! Really well done !!
cheers
Roman
21 Apr 2009 11:43am
@Roman: Roman, thanks. When I got into photoshop, my first instinct on the halo was "my, what do I do"? I wasn't used to the very shallow depth of field at f/1.2 (still not). Then I said to myself, hey, it's perfectly positioned - and grew to love it as an accent. Thanks for noticing the spontaneous smile.
Craig from Vacaville, California, United States
What a gorgeous young lady! And I love that halo effect. As for constructive criticism, remember that the eye is usually drawn to the lightest part of the image. Her dress is a bit on the hot side (too bright). I have better luck when my light source is more to the side than above. But then, I'm no portrait photographer myself.
21 Apr 2009 12:27pm
@Craig: Good feedback on the hot spots. I may play with a copy of the image and see if I can tweak the highlights some. They dress is very reflective, and I must learn how to cope with that over the years to come. I am only using natural light (no fill flash, or other illumination) - so I do what I can do.
Marie :-); from perth, Australia
Hi Bill, this is just a wonderful tradition, one that I will try to pass on when my daughter in law has children. What a super idea. Your grandaughter looks like she feels so special in this photo, and I can only imagine how special I would have felt doing this with my nan...... I also like your idea of posting a link from your favourite photo on tomorrows blog, great idea, I think I might steal it and if people catch on we can have another tradition started........ Bill I look forward to your blog and comments each day, you are an inspriation. Well done.
21 Apr 2009 12:43pm
@Marie :-);: Marie, one of the hopes I have when I write down some of these traditions is that if someone else likes the idea, they can use them also. I will let Tricia know that you're looking to do this for your family. I must confess, however, that this is my daughter (not granddaughter) - as I had my first child when I was in my forties. I am always happy when I see your comments, please continue to drop by.
@B. Thomas: A great compliment from a state known for beautiful women. It does look southern, doesn't it? I am from the south, and my wife is a Phi Mu - and this photo reminds me of those great fraternity parties from university. Thanks for the kind words from Texas!
Sarah from Suisse, Switzerland
This is a lovely photo on its own but that "halo" in the back makes it even more special! So is this the only time of year your daughter is allowed to wear something not officially red?! haha, just kidding! Great shot, Bill.
21 Apr 2009 2:25pm
@Sarah: Yes, one of the few times she's not wearing Red. I guess we don't really need to differentiate Prom dresses for the boys and girls, plus Tricia didn't think about wearing red when she went to her Prom. THanks Sarah from dropping by today and leaving a conversational comment.
xavier cardell from menorca-barcelona, Spain
Really nice expression, and very good composition
21 Apr 2009 2:39pm
@xavier cardell: Thank you Xavier. Thank goodness for a fast shutter and deep image buffer on the camera. The days of digital allow me to take a series, and then find the one "smile" in the bunch.
Ajay from Pune, India
What else can be a better way to see your children growing but to see yourself in them when they grow. This shows pure love for them and that you will take care of them as you will of yourself. And also to tell them to carry the values of life with them as you have carried for so long. Such beautiful relation.
21 Apr 2009 3:08pm
@Ajay: Thank you Ajay for your insightful comments on how we love our children and you were so eloquent in how you put this "see yourself in them when they grow" : well said.
Susan from Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
It's a cool shot Bill, and looks quite candid, and I find that's the best way to photograph kids...when they don't know you're doing it!! And a great tradition you've begun....she really does look girly girl in that pink frock...and i can tell you from having a dad that was a photography nut, she will cherish these pictures when she grows up!!
21 Apr 2009 4:01pm
@Susan: Getting candids from my kids, when they are aware i have my camera is quite challenging. I now have to use my 300mm many times to get a natural pose: like I had to for Toby in Pause earlier this week. Do you think I'm beginning to qualify as a photography nut :)?
Earnest from Oklahoma, United States
Impressive, Bill and a great idea... a beautiful girl. It's an excellent photo.
21 Apr 2009 4:20pm
@Earnest: Thank you Earnest for sharing your thoughts on the portrait and idea. I like your URL xminus3..., clever.
@Fade ToBLACK: Thank you! Please come back to the blog again soon.
Susan from Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
i pretty much live using my 28-300, unless i want wider angle, and i've found that the telephoto really works well for taking those candid kid shots!!
21 Apr 2009 4:40pm
@Susan: Indeed. My best shots are usually at 200mm and beyond. My son's forced smile is so much less attractive than his natural one. Is your lens a Tamron?
Jacobo from Sevilla, Spain
A great portrait. I do think your daughter looks lovely in the dress, and you captured her wonderful smile. I would change nothing in your picture. Congratulations :)
21 Apr 2009 6:49pm
@Jacobo: Gracias Jacobo. Appreciate the detailed comments - and I am a proud Dad.
@Michel Ruel: Thank you Michael!
Magda from Vancouver, Canada
What a great tradition! Fantastic shot. Love the tones and the sweet expression. Well done
21 Apr 2009 7:52pm
@Magda: Am I boring you folks with all my family traditions? Thanks for commenting on the portrait. It is one of my first with my DSLR camera two years ago.
observing from North West, United Kingdom
What a great idea Bill, and this shot is beautiful, I think they will laugh when they get older ;)
21 Apr 2009 7:59pm
@observing: I hope they laugh their whole life: what can a parent wish for but fulfilled children that are happy! I am sure they will appreciate these photos. My only fear is that I can't replace them if lost. Thanks for the comments on the portrait.
Michael from Deer Park, United States
wow i love the colors and lighting. amazing composition.
love it
21 Apr 2009 10:51pm
@Michael: Thanks Michael for the kind words. The lighting was natural - and I had to work with what I had, or rehang the porch swing bench (I would consider it, for my daughter :). Of course, I must thank my wife for wearing a pink prom dress many years back to make the colors work out.
The Dark Dude from Maestoso, United Kingdom
hey dude
beautiful shot
and that halo....
man, clarence would be proud...
21 Apr 2009 11:17pm
@The Dark Dude: yep, it's a wonderful life. Juju petals in her dress. Thanks for dropping by and cheering me on!
jim from sebastopol, United States
this is a wonderful image, i really like the vibtance that you have caught. You have started such a nice tradition of family photographs !
22 Apr 2009 1:01am
@jim: Thanks Jim. The best gifts take more time and love, than money - don't they. Thanks for the compliment on the image.
bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada
What a cool tradition! They will also be able to look back (when they have become adults) and have these memories and moments to treasure.
Love this shot...it seems like it was taken in another time and place. Not because of the dress per se, but because of the way you have captured her. Beautiful!
22 Apr 2009 3:54am
@bluechameleon: very sweet comment. thanks for the length and depth of commenting on the story behind the photo. I do believe the children will enjoy the series as adults. it's a tense day for me when I take these photos, knowing they will outlast me.
ordinaryimages from Kentucky Bluegrass, United States
Kewl ideal, I kept neither my prom dress nor scout uniform. best...jerry
22 Apr 2009 4:02am
@ordinaryimages: I guess I'm just a packrat, and my wife is sentimental.
Richard from Alta Loma, United States
She is a sweetheart. This is a great photo. I like the composition and the color saturation gives it vibrance.
22 Apr 2009 4:59am
@Richard: Thanks Richard. It's always a tradeoff, and as often as not - an art, not a science. Appreciate the details of what you liked about the photo so I can work towards that in other shots.
@john4jack: Jack, thank you, she is a sweetheart: or as we call her as a nickname, sweetpea.
Barbara from Florida, United States
I had to make it back here, Bill. I've had this image in my mind. There was something about it I couldn't quite place. Then I recall an old time image of my mother when she was a child. Something about this image of your daugher and her gleeming with joy, the ponytail and her posture, tie it together.
Your daughter has a sincerely happy look, and the pink dress adds wonderful color.
Excellent bokeh, the halo appearing must be real, glad you left it in.
In my opinion, I would hope you do something special with this image to preserve it for when your daughter is older.
Fabulous tradition you have each year with the clothes.
25 Apr 2009 4:50am
@Barbara: Thanks Barbara - I'm collecting all the years soon, and printing them on archival paper: and will keep them in a safe place. Thanks for the detailed commentary, and the story about the picture of your mother when she was young. Bill
Kris from United States
What a beautiful capture, Bill! Her expression, the color, the clarity! It's all just perfect!
25 Apr 2009 5:13am
@Kris: Thank you Kris - means a lot - since I really admire your recent portrait posting on AM3.
dokky from Andorra
do not put that little ugly girl in that ugly dress!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8 May 2009 3:42pm
@dokky: yep, it's even ashame that I consumed ink and disk space on this image. great comment. Bill
Srujan Chennupati from Hyderabad, India
She's very cute and very beautiful, Bill. A nice picture with a good bokeh to compliment the subject (sweetpea).
11 Aug 2009 11:14am
@Srujan Chennupati: I had a much better camera and lens from when she was two - so the bokeh is indeed much better. Shooting at f/1.2 is quite challenging, but when it works - it really works !
@Steve Rice: Thanks Steve, I'm especially proud of this image of my daughter. She was beaming, and the bokeh is very nice.
Diane from Burnsville, United States
WHAT AN ADORABLE IDEA AND A GREAT MEMORY MAKERS.
6 Sep 2009 9:16pm
@Diane: Thanks Diane for such strong words of encouragement. Sweetpea is my first child, and we wanted to start out right with her! Both my wife and I started late for children, so we have been thinking about such traditions for many years.
Canon EOS 30D
1/500 second
F/1.2
ISO 100
85 mm