A Haven for Vee

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Portraits???

Not sure that I've succeeded with what can actually be called portraits with this challenge. I did my homework, but it may not have sunk in. I've never had such troubles with light and shadows, it's being July and all. Oh well. Here are my best efforts without starting over from scratch — no time for that.


Not close enough for a portrait, but a favorite all the same. I was doing the looking back technique, though at ages 8 and 7, these two don't need that. I think the body language says as much as the faces...that water was cold.


This entire photo shoot had the two of us rather riled. This was the best of the lot; it was the first of the lot; it was only supposed to be a practice shot — he wasn't even dressed in his good shirt yet. LOL! You may remember that I wanted John to "pretend to read." Problem was that he became so engrossed in his "pretend" reading that his countenance changed completely. Apparently, he was reading about Hitler's coming to power. Now that is not suitable reading material for a photo shoot!




My personal favorite, portrait or no. It tells a story.

All settings were on automatic and there were the usual edits in Photoscape, if needed. I still didn't get them right. Oh well, August is coming.
(My camera is a Nikon Coolpix P7100.)

You can find Donna's Personal Photo Challenge going on right *here.*

39 comments:

  1. Good Morning, Vee. I enjoyed your pics very much. The water shots of the boys are my favorites. Your John is a good sport to be photographed, even without his good shirt! I hope you will have a good Saturday. Our new neighbor is getting married today. The parade of hair and make up lady has begun!

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  2. Love all your photos, the boys just make smile..aww..now, leave poor John alone (giggles). Blessings

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  3. Great photos! I am soo impressed. Especially love that last one of the boys in the water. Priceless! Enjoy your day!

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  4. Your pictures are super! Those boys are so cute. I love how you keep practicing and learning - I don't have a critical eye but I really like what you are doing and especially love your comments.

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  5. The last one tells a wonderful story! I was just at the beach, put my photo on sports - tried to catch my boys unawares - that's how I get the best photos. Right now they're at the age they don't want to smile for photos so I have to stealthily stalk!

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  6. Your favorite is also mine. I love the tenderness between the boys that you have highlighted here.
    Maybe for John's next photo shoot he could read the comics? ;)

    Great job, Vee! (And it looks like a beautiful day at the lake!)

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    1. That's the Atlantic Ocean, thank you very much. LOL!

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    2. Good grief. You'd think I'd recognize the Atlantic Ocean, wouldn't you? It's not like I haven't seen it before! :)

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    3. You've both made me smile and chuckle here today! Love you both!

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  7. Vee, I loved your pictures. Those sweet faces. xoxoSusie

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  8. Vee,

    I like the photo of John, it's real.

    I love those boys faces. Are boys great? That last shot is special!

    You did a fine job on portraits!

    Deanna

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  9. I love the two photos of the boys in the water ... especially the last one!

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  10. such beautiful photos!! The sail boats behind the boys adds such depth and contrast, they are handsome boys ,

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  11. I don't know Vee, appears you pulled through OK. The last photo of the boys is my favourite and the one with John reading is perfect. Although, after scrolling back it could be a shot of him having nodded off for a catnap after a day of playing with the boys. LOL

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  12. I love your pics! Your grands are adorable. My favorite (AFTER the one of John!) is where one brother has his hand on the other's back. It just pulls at my heart seeing that......

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  13. Love that last photo, Vee. So fabulous! The close ups of the boys were great, too!

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  14. I love them all and it sure makes me want to wade out in the water with the boys! Happy weekend my friend! Hugs, Diane

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  15. Great portraits....I especially love John's because it really is John, not John posing....

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  16. You had fun Vee and it's lovely for me to see photos of summer days even if the water 's still cold!
    I haven't been in the Atlantic, but I could have flown over it in my travels!!!

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  17. Oh that water looks so inviting right now- I'ts 95 in the shade and so muggy! Your grandboys are so precious. Have a great weekend!

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  18. That last shot is priceless! Were you at Portland Head?

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  19. What beautiful eyes that young grandson has. Your photos are very good--even John in his intense reading, it gives a lot of character to the photo. I too love the last one. The one photography class I took, the one thing I remember the most, is on a bright day to avoid shadows put the setting on night and force the flash, It will fill in the shadows. Maybe not for subjects so far away as the boys, but usually it works for me.

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  20. Great shots of the grands at the lake?! Yep it sure does look like cold water.

    Leann

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  21. I think they are all great, but my favorite is the last one.

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  22. Great captures, Vee. The clarity of the photographs of the two boys in the sea is amazing, love the reflections on the water. My husband has a similar face when immersed in a book, I call it his "grumpy resting face" but he's a sweetie really.

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  23. Love the photos...and kids...doesn't matter how cold or hot....they are always in!!! Love the hubby pic...Great shots...thanks for sharing!

    veradesigns.blogspot.com

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  24. Grandes fotos! Os sentimentos do Sr. John são claros e a última foto dos garotos é ótima! Parabéns!
    Um abraço!
    Great photos! The feelings of Mr. John are clear and the last one of the boys is great! Congratulations!
    Hugs!

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  25. LOL! That is too funny about your husband getting into reading - I like that photo. My favorite this the last one of the boys.

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  26. Well, I like them every one. :)
    xoxo

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  27. Your grandson has beautiful blue eyes! Love both photos of the grandboys in the water. We returned from a nine day vacation in DC and the Outer Banks, NC, vacation yesterday. I enjoyed seeing the Atlantic Ocean again but did not love the humidity..lol!

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  28. Love the boys' reflections in the water; a nice touch. And those big eyes! Gorgeous. Your hubby looks contemplative...as one must be when reading about Hitler, I'd say. Nice shots.

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  29. I really enjoyed your pictures, they do in fact tell a story :)

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  30. Wonderful portraits! The boys are so cute and I can attest to the cold Atlantic water. It's not for the faint of heart!!

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  31. The photos of the grands in the water, indeed, told a story. Sweet summertime memories being made! I have to admit that I like the other photo of John better (smiling). Some subjects do well with direction, and some fight you all the way. Jim is easy to direct because he is also a photographer. Sneaky candid are the way to go with John, haha. You did a commendable job on the challenge and tried some new things. Bravo!

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  32. I love your personal favorite. Blow it up, frame it...and give it a caption! Priceless!

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  33. I like the relationship in that last one- so nice

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  34. These are all great photos, Vee. I love the looking back one, but my favourite is of your little grand with his big smile and his focus on his technology. Was he smiling at what he was seeing, or at something else going on in the room? Also love the hand on the back in the last photo.

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