Connor

[pburness]

I was asked to photograph my friends son, after taking some standard portrait type photo's with the D90, we stopped for a break and I grabbed the Canon. I took this and it turned out to be the one they liked best as it captured his personality - lively and mischievous...

The only down side (for me) is his thumb in the top right hand corner

Phil

With so much 5* Character screaming out of the shot, the thumb did not jump out at me Phil. Easily cloned away to fade into the background . The composition is delightfully playful and in keeping with the whole spirit and in a way the thumb adds to the action (and somehow balances with the 'back in' lines of Connor's hair and the sparkle in the eyes is spot on too).

[GeoffWessex]

Interesting point about portrait sessions. The first 15-30 minutes is difficult, with the 'sitter' not relaxing at all. Taking a break and trying something new always seems to get the really good shots. I imagine that a professional portrait photographer who has given a price for what 'should' be a half hour job must dread that 'breaking the ice' time as he then has to rush to get enough shots before the end of the session. Would have been even worse when using film - unless he didn't actually load any into the camera until 15 minutes into the session. Going further back in time, a studio photographer with large glass negatives probably didn't get any time to experiment - which explains the stiff and unflattering shots that the majority turned out.... only the 'casual' amateur photographers had the time to wait until their sitter had relaxed.

[pburness]

Yep, I think it is part skill / part personality and having an idea of what you are hoping to achieve before the shooting starts. Nothing worse than having the model sitting uncomfortably while your thinking of a good pose....

Phil

[karenoliver]

Great expression, lovely light and excitement in his eyes and I never noticed the thumb until you mentioned it. The ice lolly was a great prop :-)

Karen