Girl by Window Light

Tech info:

Handheld Nikon D200, 85mm f1.4 lens set to f1.8 at 1/640th sec., 1600 ISO, B/W mode, normal parameters. This image started out a little dark when I opened it up in Photoshop, and of course got a little noisier when lightened, but I don’t mind the effect in the end. Indirect daylight coming through a window to the right, which meant I had to make sure I was getting a catchlight in the eye furthest from the window.

–Eddie.

22 Responses to “Girl by Window Light”

  1. Alison Smith says:

    I love this one! What a sweet steady gaze. It reminds me of some old photos of Audrey Hepburn, where the noise is absolutely an important ingredient somehow.

  2. Mary Beth says:

    Eddie! Stunning photograph – the way the light falls across her face, the noise, the pensive expression… everything just adds to the feeling the viewer gets when looking at it.

  3. eddie says:

    Thanks for your encouragement, Alison. Ü

    Mary Beth, thanks. I like her expression, too. She flashed several different looks toward the camera, and this one was most in line with what I look for… the face in some state of repose.

    –Eddie.

  4. Janet Cull says:

    What an incredible face! You’ve shown her well.

  5. eddie says:

    Thanks, Janet. Yes, such a face she has. Here she is from an earlier shoot two years ago:

    –Eddie.

  6. Tiffany says:

    Oohhh!!! I like the sharp focus with the shallow DOF all over, the noise just adds character to it…gosh, when will i ever get to sharply focus a 1.8 on a kid! LOL!! this is gorgeous, Eddie!!! I love it…thanks so much for sharing and as usual, I love your tech information, very museum tour…wish everyone will do it(give us all the detail) =)

  7. Glenda says:

    Breathtaking Eddie! I gasped out loud wow from an ilp fan. :)

  8. I love that you made her hair out of focus in camera with a shallow dof and not in photoshop later. Her eye really pop out of the image. Love her expression too (this one and the one 2 years ago).

    Fantastic portrait Eddie.

  9. eddie says:

    Thank you, everyone. Your feedback means a lot.

    I like to read tech info on others’ images, too, so I’m happy to supply it.

    Yes, the shallow depth of field is always done in camera because that’s the only way it feels satisfying to me.

    Ü

    –Eddie.

  10. MP says:

    Oh, I had to comment. She looks like a little pixie. I love everything about this image. I feel like I recognize her from the earlier image…did you share it on ILP back then?

    Beautiful work Eddie!

  11. eddie says:

    Thanks, MP. Yes, the other one I did show soon after it was made. I thought maybe someone would remember it. Ü

    –Eddie.

  12. Lauren says:

    Beautiful portrait. I thought it might be film. Love the way the light filters across her face. Would this be an example of split lighting?

  13. “Yes, the shallow depth of field is always done in camera because that’s the only way it feels satisfying to me. ”

    me too, Eddie.

  14. eddie says:

    Thanks, Lauren. Yes, this can be seen as a split lighting effect. With children it can work, as long as you have catchlights in both eyes. So try to get the side light source to be in front of the subject enough to get that reflection in the eye furthest from the light.

    Ü

    –Eddie.

  15. Danna says:

    Eddie, this is a stunning portrait. Definitely my favorite to date. :-)

    Danna

  16. eddie says:

    Thank you, Danna.

    Ü

    –Eddie.

  17. Annie N says:

    Wow Eddie!
    Love these.
    Looks like Tmax3200 with split lighting
    but I realize you are digi.
    Glad I check back every few months
    as it’s worth it just to see your posts.

  18. eddie says:

    Thanks, Annie. I hear you… the D200 at 1600 ISO does look a bit like TMZ… and I’m glad you describe it that way.

    I hope you keeping dropping by every once in a while.

    Ü

    –Eddie.

  19. Subra says:

    A great portrait, Eddie!

    Subra

  20. eddie says:

    Thank you, Subra. Ü

    –Eddie.

  21. Natalieh says:

    This is adorable. BUT the one from 2 years ago is absolutely precious…those fingernails and curls and the bracelet….and her smirk, its perfect!! Oh ya, and the lighting is great too! LOL

  22. eddie says:

    Thank you, Natalie. Ü

    –Eddie.

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