Tuesday, November 10, 2015

A Family Portrait

Phew! We've just been through a whirlwind weekend: not only the long weekend itself (Friday through Monday) but the days leading up to it — the preparations. The busyness has pretty well kept me off the blogs, but I shall endeavour to make amends soon.

The A Team, daughter Allyson and her partner Alycia, flew in from the west coast just after midnight on Friday morning. Before dropping them back at the airport on Monday afternoon, we spent much time chatting, reminiscing, laughing, and playing games.

One thing I wanted to do was get a family photo, but I was almost thwarted as we got busy doing other things. Finally, on Sunday afternoon, I got a little opportunity. It wasn't what I envisioned, but we made do.

We were in Almonte, so we tried this gazebo by the River Walk, but I think you can see the problem. There's too much light and shadow. So, the setting was fine, but the light wasn't. It's still a worthwhile, memory type of photo but not generally the type that one would print and frame.


Not far from the gazebo was an interesting tree, but the light was still a problem. Ideally, you'd want a cloudy day where the sky is like a giant softbox.


You can see me holding my remote clicker in the next tree shot.


The third try was acceptable. We situated ourselves around this rusty, old mill wheel where the light was more or less even. Snap.


While it still is not exactly what I envisioned, it will do. It's one that I might print and hang, even though it is not a perfect, studio type of family portrait.

By the way: this is our whole family: not a big family but a great family.

16 comments:

KGMom said...

Right now, I am hearing--in my head--the song WE. ARE. FAMILY!!!
Yes, it is a great family. You & Sue have raised happy children and your grandchildren are also happy...as these wonderful portraits illustrate.

I will be on the same quest over Thanksgiving...getting whole family portrait. I think we'll have someone else to be the photographer, though.

TexWisGirl said...

a happy family! :) love the mill wheel shot.

Country Gal said...

I like them all . Lovely photos . Yes putting the camera on a timer and remote self portraits are a challenge but I think you did well with these , I prefer the natural photos out side and not so much posed still photos from in a studio any ways the out doors make the photos look more interesting with all the different sights and textures around your subjects and the different lighting and shadows !. Thanks for sharing , Have a good day !

Jackie said...

Love your family photos!! The light that makes them perfect is the light of love. That shines brightly in all of them.

Marie Smith said...

Love the photos. I understand the small family because that's what we have. You know what they say about good things and small packages!

Tabor said...

It is hard to get everyone looking good in a shot. I envy your success.

Ginger said...

It only takes one good one! Love the energy in these photos.

Lorna said...

So lovely for you and Sue, and inexplicably, for me.

Ginnie said...

You're a perfectionist AC...at least where it relates to your photography. ALL the photos are great and what a happy family !

Kathleen's Blog said...

Lovely shots!!! We were blessed with only one beautiful daughter,but she has filled our lives with nothing but joy, and now she and her wonderful husband are expecting our first grandchild!!!! We are over-joyed. Your pictures depict what I want us to be---you have a beautiful family!!! Lucky,lucky man........but, I have a feeling you know that already----Cheers!

Linda Kay said...

Somebody really likes color! Enjoy your photos...it's not the perfection of the picture but the memories held there.

Shammickite said...

Well, I think all those pictures are really nice. It doesn't matter if it's not perfect in your eyes, it's the family all together and that's what's important.

Vicki Lane said...

Wonderful family pics. Getting that many folks to pose and look decent isn't easy.

EG CameraGirl said...

I think it's great that you got photos of the entire family together. Maybe perfection is "in the eye of the beholder."

Donna said...

Awww...a Terrific family at that!
Love all of these!!
hughugs

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

You are right in that the last photo is the best of the bunch. Looks like a happy family too and that's what's important.