BLOGROLL

10 Nov 2011

Portrait with a white bedsheet

Eliza trying to hold a straight face copyright Carla Coulson Chasing a Dream

I have taken so many portraits of my nieces and nephews over the years in situe. I love environmental portraits especially of the kids being themselves. But like all things it is fun to change.

I was in Sydney when I decided I wanted a portrait of each member of my family with a simple backdrop. For this shot of the adorable Eliza I ironed a white bed sheet and draped it over a hedge in the backyard. My idea was to try and emulate seamless studio paper but the sheet had a life all of it's own. In the end I loved the way the sheet fell and left it at that. I chose the part of the yard that was in open shade so that the light was even and I didn't have to fight mixed light.

And Voila my portrait of Eliza.

Carla xxx 

If  you like portraits on a white background you might like
Richard Avedon's: Portraits


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11 comments:

  1. I think your fsmily is lucky to have you and your camera Carla. What a wonderful thing to do. XO

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  2. Nice portrait; her hair looks very 'Italian' even if it was taken in Sydney.

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  3. Oh, how lovely! I think your nieces and nephews are so lucky to have a fun and unique photographer-aunt like you. :D I wish my aunts were as cool! Hahaha! :)

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  4. On both this post and the one before, I just love the behind the scenes look at how you work! It's like taking a mini class with you! And I agree with John, the feel is very Italian! I never would have guessed Sydney!

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  5. lovely, what a beautiful girl with a very beautiful name and dress.. your white sheet wrinkles totally coincides with what the dress does, hence perfect, in my honest opinion

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  6. Oh Carla. SHe's lovely. And like you, I like more natural settings and have always wrinkled me nose at the thought of a paper backdrop. You're right, the sheet has such a soft look with the shadows. I'm going to try it. I'll let you know how I do!
    xx
    V

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  7. She has such a regal mysterious air to her in this image. I love that when taking photos of my children, the moment caught often surprises me.How simple to drape a sheet yet what a difference it makes when after a simple portrait.
    Just recently I took photos of all the family wearing a cheap pair of plastic glasses complete with moustache...the best one is my mother in law. ciao lisa

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  8. Congratulations Carla. What an amazing face and what a thoughtful expression ... very Mona Lisaish.

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  9. un bien joli portrait !

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  10. Hi, Carla, I'm so glad you visited my blog. I absolutely love this shot - such a beautiful face! You've inspired me to do this as well....

    xo
    cortnie

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