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Canon DSLR Challenge | all galleries >> Canon SLR Challenges - FAQ >> CSLR - Best of... >> Best of 2004 > 5th Place
Trying to Reflect
by Vikas
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June 6, 2004 Vikas

5th Place
Trying to Reflect
by Vikas

Wanted to take a high key portrait of my neice and desperately wanted her to position herself so that she would be reflected in the mirror but two year olds aren't the easiest of models. :-)


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Canon DSLR Challenge16-Jun-2004 03:23
Thanks Vikas! ~ Lonnit
Guest 14-Jun-2004 07:30
Used the Blurring tool (the one in the tool box menu) in PS Lonnit. Also, I find that the best way to do portraits is to always shoot in RAW and then whilst processing, turn the sharpening to 0 and the Luminence smoothening and Colour Smoothening to 100. Cheers.... Vikas.
Canon DSLR Challenge14-Jun-2004 04:05
Thanks Vikas. There are several blurring options - which did you use? ~ Lonnit
Canon DSLR Challenge13-Jun-2004 07:59
P.S. Lonnit.... also used the lightening tool to lighten the shadows on the skin. Cheers...... Vikas
Canon DSLR Challenge13-Jun-2004 07:57
Thanks Lonnit. :-). Actually I didn't have to do too much to the skin since my neice is only just two years old and has naturally very smooth skin as am sure, most babies/children have. Just used a bit of the blurring and healing tool, thats it. Babies' skins are so much easier to smoothen out and I love the way the healing brush works in PS. Some might think it is too much (a very individual thing) but personally I love the way her skin looks. ;-) ............. Vikas.
Canon DSLR Challenge12-Jun-2004 22:29
Lovely shot Vikas! Can you point me to a tutorial on how to do the skin smoothing? Some say you went a little over on it, OK, maybe you're on the cusp? ~ Lonnit
iso320011-Jun-2004 21:50
I wonder why Guest has a thing for names but doesn't own up to their own criticisms?
Anyway - I think you missed the mark with not enough facial reflection. Also (must be my current pet hate) skin looks a little overprocessed. Just seems too smooth to my eye.
Guest 10-Jun-2004 23:52
vikas
i understood your intent from your caption and first submission. and i have a ton of respect for your skill. but i also sensed that you weren't 100% satisfied with this image either. i think this is perfectly executed too...but, like you, i would have liked to have seen more of her reflection in the mirror.
Canon DSLR Challenge10-Jun-2004 07:40
For Grant: Thanks for your comment and appreciate it. Regarding this photograph, I essentially gave my niece the mirror and wanted her to play with it whilst I was shooting away with my camera. What I actually had in mind, was her looking into the mirror which would reflect her in it but that didn’t quite happen since two year olds are not exactly known to do what you want them to. :-) Thus 99% of the photographs from this shoot turned out to be her laughing and smiling (generally happy shots, which of course, her parents loved) but I did manage to get two shots of her which had some reflections in the mirror and also, a look on her face where it seemed as if she were reflecting on something. The first one I posted (and subsequently removed) had her in a pensive/reflective mood, looking away into the distance; as does this one (I think). ;-) And that really was why I chose this title for this photograph and also why I entered it in this challenge. Cheers……………. Vikas.

P.S. Trust that I’m, at least, wearing underclothes now. ;-)
Canon DSLR Challenge10-Jun-2004 07:01
Thank you Shu, appreciate it........... Vikas.
Canon DSLR Challenge10-Jun-2004 01:28
This is a tot "trying to reflect," and she (and her uncle) have succeeded in conveying that message. This is a double entendre.....a pictorial demonstration of two different meanings of the word "reflect." Some of you have, apparently, completely missed the point. Shu
Guest 09-Jun-2004 21:26
well...there is no asterisk but...i think it is a beautiful portrait of a beautiful little girl.

i'm just not sure how the reflection adds to the image. the mirror seems like an incidental prop. i DO think though that it looks as if she is MENTALLY reflecting on something.

i'm not trying to be a spoilsport but i do like your work very much (as do MANY people here) and i wouldn't want the emperor walking around naked and not knowing it ;)


grant
Guest 09-Jun-2004 20:51
Although I usually enjoy most of your work, I'm very, very, very sorry to say that I don't think this picture would receive the same amount of praise if it didn't have the Vikas name under it.
Shu09-Jun-2004 15:14
Vikas--Looks like you have it all!! (Beautiful relatives, too.) It's such a pleasure looking at your work. Shu
Canon DSLR Challenge08-Jun-2004 06:44
Thanks Olaf, Phil, Ann, Karthik, Planac, appreciate your comments. And yes, THANK YOU PHIL for helping me review my shots and posting this instead (I too prefer this one). Appreciate it. Planac, regarding the foot, couldn't do much about it since my niece absolutely refused to keep still and was jumping around the place so it was difficult to get this shot and I, too, was running around trying to get her in the frame. :-) >>>>> Vikas.
Karthik Murugesan08-Jun-2004 03:03
She is soo adorable! Brilliant exposure! - Karthik.
Canon DSLR Challenge07-Jun-2004 23:53
I agree this one is much better, would it do anything more if her right foot was fully showing not sure....Planac
Ann Chaikin07-Jun-2004 21:59
I agree with Olaf and the gang... this is better than the first version. Beautiful child, wonderful expression, interesting use of the mirror. I like it very much Vikas. Ann
Guest 07-Jun-2004 19:41
I agree with Olaf - this is the better shot on so many levels, so I take the credit for forcing you to review the shots you had! Phil
Olaf.dk 07-Jun-2004 18:56
What an adorable girl and what an adorable photograph! Just lovely! This has got to be one of the best high-key shots I have ever seen from you - and THAT's not saying a little! As far as I remember the first one you had posted - I think this is even better! --Olaf
Canon DSLR Challenge07-Jun-2004 18:34
Phil, thanks for your comment and I appreciate it. Certainly wouldn't want anyone to misinterpret the pic and have replaced it with another one. Thanks again. Cheers. >>>>> Vikas.