More Gifts of Life Shots

[SarahM]

Here are some more from my 'Gifts of Life' project. This is Gabrysia. She is urgently waiting for a new heart - you can make out the blueness in her lips. She was a total joy to photograph and I don't think the images need much processing but, as always, any suggestions are very welcome. There are more shots of her in the gallery on the website at http://www.giftsoflife.co.uk.

[JohnB]

I really like these. The perspective on the first one is nice and interesting. You did a great job filling the frame with both photos.

Excellent work!

One thing I've learned to do when taking portraits is bring the aperture down to f/2.8 with my 50mm lens (it's the only lens I have that can go this wide)... I have opened up my photos too many times to see one or both eyes out of focus because of the narrow depth of field. Also, when taking portraits with more than one person, you have a better chance of both being in focus. The baby's left eye is slightly out of focus in the second photo, but not so much that it's distracting for me.

Just curious... what mode do you shoot in mostly? (Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority or Auto)

[SarahM]

Thanks John, It is great to hear some ideas to improve as that is what I am aiming to do here. I tend to shoot mainly in aperture priority and use shutter priority if I want some motion blur. I used to use auto a lot but never do anymore. I am never happy with how things look on auto.
I am going to use the first image in the exhibition as it has some symbolic narrative with her there at the window, waiting to go out to play when her new life starts with her new heart.

[JohnB]

I use Aperture Priority most of the time as well, even in low light situations where the shutter speed is more important. I just keep the aperture as wide as possible during those situations. I have heard of cameras that will auto select ISO for in Shutter priority or similar mode. I haven't tried that with mine. It would have come in handy when I was taking photos at the Christmas play at Church.

There is great narrative in the first photo now that I know why she's holding her hands up. I didn't know there was a window there.

[Chris-T-Photography]

As always sarah these are great shots. You definitely capture emotion's well in your shots. This is a great project and I look forward to seeing more.