High Five
My big man is celebrating his fifth birthday today. It seems like yesterday that I held my firstborn in my arms for the first time. But it the mean time he grew up to a fantastic kid.
Yesterday he already had a birthday party at school and tonight he want to celebrate and have pancakes. My parents will probably drop by with a cake too. Tomorrow or busy boy is already booked for a friend’s party, that’s why we will have his own party next week.
Of course we had to make some original images for the invitation for the party. We didn’t have much time and Kobe doesn’t like posing for more than 10 seconds, so we went for a really simple idea.
I wanted him to have catchlights in the shape of a ‘5′. You could photoshop that but why would you do it if you can do it much quicker in camera.
I could a 5 (reversed) out of the bottom of a cardbord box and covered it with 3 sheets of tracing paper. When you put a speedlight on the other site, you actually have a 5-shaped softbox. Very simple, but I think it’s pretty cool.
My dear Kobe, stay who you are and let me continue to grow up together with you.
What a great idea with the catchlights!
Kobe is lucky to have a Dad like you. I enjoy the personal posts as well as the photographic posts. I’m going to try the catch light thing too!
Thanks for sharing.
Tim
Lovely Stuff Bert.
I’ve recently found your site, so I’m really enjoying it. Nice to see a family man here on the net
Very cool idea!
great idea… great pictures too.
(on my RSS)
DanCL
Well, if that isn’t nifty!
What a great idea! I will have to try this one soon. Did I mention this was a great idea? Thanks man.
Very creative photograph and quick thinking with a softbox to create the catchlight. It’s definitely much faster and easier to get it right in camera rather than having to make the 5 in photoshop.
Wow – that’s a really cool idea!
I love the idea with the catch lights. Very creative!
Brilliant idea, Bert. I may have to borrow it when our boy is old enough (he’s not even 1 y.o. yet).
How did you light up the face? I imagine it’s a snoot coming from the side?
Never mind. Just saw the description on Flickr.
How original!!! He will always remember his 5th anniversary
Excellet idea!
I tryed it and found not so easy : ) How big was the box (the digit)?
Very nice, I will have to try this some time.
I have done something similar, but with bokeh:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pauldandrea/sets/72157603425889545/
I love your idea!!!!! I looked at all your cool pictures. I love your techniques. A man that came into my work at Sunny Schick Camera Shop in Fort Wayne Indiana told me about you. And I am an amateur photographer right now. I’m enjoying learning new things everyday from photographers who come into my store. I plan on attending Saint Francis College this fall for Photography and Computer Animation. I also want to take Graphic Design and other Art classes. But mainly, photography is my main goal. I don’t leave my house without my camera. Photographers and other people I work with always tell me that I will eventually have to choose what kind of photographer I am, but the problem is I love taking pictures of absolutely everything. And when I say that, people laugh at me. And I say “NO!!! I want to take pictures of anything and everything, because that just what I do”. So, if someone says “Do you shoot weddings?” I will say, “Yes, of course I do!!!” I love shooting weddings. I have seriously got good talent and what my boss calls “CRAFT”. I love taking pictures that have meanings behind them. There’s this girl at my work that claims she is a Great photographer. She shoots Nature and landscapes. Mainly flowers and lakes. Well anyways, the point I’m trying to make is, that anyone can take a good picture of a flower or a lake. Hell, my 3-year-old son can already take pictures. To me, they are ordinary pictures. Now if there’s some crazy story behind them like, I was falling down when I took this and the effect was cool enough to catch any viewer’s eyes. Then it is not ordinary. A lot of people call themselves “photographers” and make business cards and charge for their services, but 50% of them have no craft and no individuality. They use other people’s ideas and alter their pictures with Photoshop. I don’t use Photoshop. There’s nothing wrong with it and I tried it out, but I don’t believe altering pictures too much should be done because it takes the art out of professional photography. I’m sorry this comment is so long, but I am going to post some of my best work on here and I hope you could give me some insight on what you think.
Sincerely, Angela B.
Very nice blog. Good idea…
Thanks for the many comments
@Sergei: it took me around 10 minutes to make the box and take the pics, but I might have been just lucky. The box is about 40 x 30cm.
@Paul: I should try that technique out too. Very interesting.
@Angela: I think it’s good to photograph everything. Pro’s too should step out of their comfortzone from time to time. But when you want to make money with photography it might be better to really specialize. That doesn’t mean you should stay in the same field forever but it’s hard to get your name out in several area’s of photography at the same time. Be creative, be knowledgeable and work hard and you’ll get there!
Hi Bert,
I discovered your blog casually and I spent an hour and half to read all you posted, watching your videos and view your photos. I like very much your style and the way you use to explain how you work. In particular, all the tricks you share about the flash are very usefull. Thank you and all my best compliments. I’ll follow soon!
Teo.
these pictures are very touching. kobe is a lucky son. thank you for sharing your precious tips.
Man, I really love the last sentence in your post. Awesome stuff.
thanks
@fendrri: that sentence is more important than all the photography knowledge.
man… you never cease to amaze with your creativity and skill. Keep up the good lighitng work!
PS. You are an awesome dad to your kids
Very very cool idea!!
That’s the first time I’ve seen anyone do that. Very inspired. It’s great to see something I haven’t seen before. Great job!