New Year Cotswolds

These shots were taken at the same visit to the Cotswolds that the Father and Son shot was taken on. We were visiting with about 12 others in a large farmhouse over new year and I took my gear as there were a lot of babies there! The parents all wanted shots......so, hope you like these....the parents all wanted prints, so I think they went down well with them! I will do two uploads in two different threads....
Comments and Crit always welcome, as always! Cheers

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A set with great warmth and charm. Well done, John. You really do people shots well!

Regards,

A.

Thank you Andrew, kind comments again.....its strange you should say that as when I have posted them over on another site, the comments were that my portraits were "ok" but my architecture and other types of shots were much better! lol! Go figure! So, always nice to hear good things about the stuff I really have a passion for...much appreciated...

If you would like an honest opinion, I see potential. However, #1 is slightly out of focus. Auto focus will do that sometimes. #2 has some bothersome lights to close to the childs head. The expression is great. #3&4 How about a vertical shot and get all of dad in the picture.
Anyway, just my opinion.

Steven

Hi Steve

Thanks for your comments. However, these were quickly taken, non-posed shots, almost candid, so I did what I could with the circumstances. The parents were running around after the kids and they wanted shots, so I took what I could. I agree with the first one being slightly out of focus, but it was a one shot chance and I couldn't get anything after that. And the parents loved it and now have it framed on the wall, so can't complain too much. The lights COULD be cloned out on 2 and have tried, but did such a bad job (my PS skills are legendarily bad!) I decided to leave it. I have one that has no highlights behind, but its a little....unreal? #4 I completely agree on as I am not happy with the crop either myself, but the shot of the little one is almost perfect for me, so went with the compromise, whereas #3, I am not so sure.....the expression was the main thing for me and my other shot of these two, although worked better, has an even tighter crop, so I guess this one is up for debate! lol!

But thanks for your honest....very much taken on board and put into the knowledge bank for next time! Cheers!