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Photography is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality.


Here's one of a very 1970s-looking Henry, and 1950s-looking Ezra that I took deep into the noughties just this weekend. Technically, it is not the greatest photograph that will ever be taken, as the light was just too bright and overwhelmed everything (not least the colour tones). The problem with photographing toddlers though, is that you just don't have enough time to adjust the settings.

That said, you CAN do a little post-production work and experiment a little if you think that there is something to the photo. I happen to like the fact that I've managed to snap both lads in one frame. I also like that both of them have their eyes open at the same time. Lastly, I just like the looks on their faces, as both of them look in the photo just like they look in my head: Henry is being a bit of a show-off and ready to bark an order, and Ez is just holding back a bit waiting for something to happen.

So first I trimmed the photo, shedding a heap of glare on the right of the image, and centring the faces a little better. Then I just drained the entire colour from it. Then it was fiddling with the exposure and contrast. But I still wasn’t sure. Henry’s hair gave me the idea to try and ‘age’ it a bit with a bit of grain and a muted sepia tone, to try and get that weathered photo look. I think that it works. What do you reckon?

Any tips for retrieving a dud photo? I’m happy to take ‘em on board...
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Comments

Priyanka Khot said…
Really nice pic... both ur kids are adorable as I always say... Ezra is a hot favourite amongst my colleagues... and Henry still tops my list. :-D
23 February 2009 at 18:01
Tash said…
It's a very artistic photo - you did great with crop this/unglare that/change tone there/spend lots of time here - definitely worth it. Their expressions are fabulous.
23 February 2009 at 18:46
Mary Stebbins Taitt said…
I think this is a wonderful photo, great SAVE! WOW!

Saving over-exposed pix is harder than under-exposed. You did fantastic.
24 February 2009 at 02:44
KL said…
B&W photos are always nice, I don't kwow why, especially with people and cities. What software did you use to do this?
24 February 2009 at 03:01
Anonymous said…
I stopped and read your blog and looked at the photograph. I just wanted you to know. I like what you are trying to do.
24 February 2009 at 03:46
Kris McCracken said…
Priyanka, I won't tell Henry that the office has deserted him! He'll be stricken...
24 February 2009 at 06:33
Kris McCracken said…
Tash, I generally don't spend much time on them, just fiddle with the settings and off we go! This one took abut two minutes.
24 February 2009 at 06:34
Kris McCracken said…
Mary, thanks! I didn't want to miss the looks on their faces.
24 February 2009 at 06:35
Kris McCracken said…
KL, I just used Microsoft Office Picture Manager, which is really basic, but really fast. I sometimes use Photoshop, but find it too slow.
24 February 2009 at 06:38
Anonymous said…
That works for me.

I wonder what separate things they're looking at?
24 February 2009 at 08:07
Kris McCracken said…
Jackie, Ezra is looking at me, and I suspect that Henry is trying to see the moon, as he is lunar obsessed (a lunatic in the original sense) at the moment.
24 February 2009 at 16:25
Diederick Wijmans said…
That is really a nice and spontaneous 1950ies photo and a bit of post-production never harms.
24 February 2009 at 19:07
Marie Reed said…
I think that the bit of sepia does wonders for the photo! Henry is getting huge! They grow up tooo quickly!
24 February 2009 at 19:36
Kris McCracken said…
Blognote, if the ends are just, post-production is fine!
25 February 2009 at 10:27
Kris McCracken said…
Marie, that is what his mum says.
25 February 2009 at 10:27
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