Photoblog 2.0

KT Cover, photo by Harold Davis. View this image larger.

My new book Creative Portraits: Digital Photography Tips & Techniques is now shipping. Amazon will get it to you anywhere, even if you don’t plan to read it like Katie Rose while sitting on top of an egg.

It’s a family tradition to photograph Katie Rose with our new books as they come in. Some other images:

Katie Rose and Creative Black & White.
Katie Rose and The Photoshop Darkroom
Katie Rose and Creative Close-Ups
Katie Rose and Creative Night
Katie Rose and Creative Composition

Here’s the description from the back cover of Creative Portraits:

This book aims squarely at the heart and soul of portrait photography and shows you how to create meaningful and compelling images. Each photo is taken from Davis’s personal collection and is accompanied by an explanation of how and why he made it. Composition, lighting, exposure, and camera technique are all discussed, taking you beyond the basics.

Still, the best way to craft memorable, lively, and stunning portraits is sometimes to break the rules. Davis also demonstrates how to do this in a way that is both informative and inspiring. He encourages you to define and develop your own photographic style by shooting creative, unique images. You’ll be moved to try new techniques, empowering you to truly define someone with a photograph.

• Capture emotion to create a compelling image
• Learn about clothing, hair, and make-up
• Choose the right lens and shutter speed
• Utilize the best lighting techniques
• Have fun photographing kids
• Retouch your images and add special effects

Kate Rose says, “Order Creative Portraits: Digital Photography Tips & Techniques from Amazon today!”

Katie Rose Tutu Head, photo by Harold Davis.

Katie Rose likes to wear her tutu on her head, as you can see in this studio portrait.

I’ll get over what a miracle she is someday (maybe)—but in the meantime it is hard for me to photograph her or write about her without remembering. Here are two stories about her early days: The Birth of Katie Rose and The Day My Daughter Was Born.

Katie Rose, photo by Harold Davis. View this image larger.

In the family studio mayhem, Katie Rose wandered off and on the seamless paper background, always in motion as is typical for toddlers (unless they are asleep). I had to move fast, because she was on the seamless then off, then on again.

I tracked her motion with my camera, and captured her in this high-key portrait, intentionally post-processing the image to make the background seem slightly overexposed.

Katie Blows the Candles Out, photo by Harold Davis.

We celebrated Katie Rose’s second birthday yesterday. Katie was excited all day, completely got the concept of presents and birthday cake, and enjoyed blowing her candles out. Her brothers had a grand time at Katie’s birthday party. Also present: Grandma Barbara and her other grandparents, my parents, Martin and Virginia.

The only problem involved two tired parents getting four wired kids to bed.

It’s so exciting to see Katie Rose doing so well. She has come such a long way from her birth. The intervening two years seem like forever and no time at all. We are so very lucky to have a normal, happy, active two-year old girl. We love Katie Rose very, very much.

The Door Opens for Katie Rose, photo by Harold Davis.

I spent some time over the weekend making portraits of our kids. These were impromptu photo sessions in dappled shade in our garden, nothing fancy.

Katie Rose (above) is swiftly approaching her second birthday. She is a bundle of intelligence and joy, and a miracle made manifest. The Day My Daughter Was Born explains a bit of the back story.

Mathew (below) is an intense and handsome child. When he forgets to be unhappy he is sunny and truly a pleasure to be around. Mathew gives the best hugs!

Nicky (below) is truly unique. Small for his age, he is passionate, wise, and very witty.

When you look at Julian (far below), you can see the kind intelligence in his eyes. He meets his challenges with grace and persistence—and we are all rooting for him.

Katie Walking, photo by Harold Davis.

Katie Rose is up and walking (with a little help from her friends). She is very excited and pleased with herself. We are happy, too.

Katie Rose, photo by Harold Davis.

Kate Rose is pleased with herself these days, as she ought to be. She’s enjoying walking—holding onto an adult hand—and trying on hats. It’s fun to watch her joy in life.

Bubble Girl, photo by Harold Davis.

Katie Rose likes her bubbles, and she likes her bubble bath—that’s why we call her Bubble Girl!

Katie Rose with Bubbles 5, photo by Harold Davis.

Photographing a toddler playing with soap bubbles is like trying to catch two moving targets at once: the child and the bubbles. My best advice is to crank the ISO so you can use a reasonably fast shutter speed, watch your focus point, and be quick on the trigger. If you pause or even hesitate briefly it’s gone.

It’s great to see Katie so joyful, and playing as the normal kid she is, considering that not so long ago when Katie Rose was born she weighed as much as six sticks of butter.

Second Christmas of Katie Rose, photo by Harold Davis.

Katie Rose enjoyed her second Christmas with full comprehension of the important role that presents play in the festivities. Those of you that have followed her story since her birth will understand what a miracle this represents. There’s some delay in gross motor skills, but Katie has perfected the “commando” crawl. On a wooden floor this looks a great deal like swimming. Katie’s vocabulary increases day-to-day, with “ight” [light] and “oor” [door] frequent favorites.

We don’t normally dress Katie Rose in girly outfits like the one shown (a Christmas gift from her Grandma Barbara). For one thing, it isn’t easy to crawl in a dress. Our policy is to treat Katie just like we did her three brothers. Perhaps it is something innate—she seems to enjoy being dressed up. And also the freedom to crawl when we took the dress off and put her back in “normal” clothes.

Nicky is Eight, photo by Harold Davis.

We recently had a great time celebrating Nicky’s eighth birthday with family and a few of his friends. Nicky is such a great guy.

It is not an original observation, but the years sure do pass swiftly. It seems only yesterday that he was quite little—but still smiling, because that is Nicky.

Katie Rose enjoyed the birthday party. She’s at the stage where the wrapping paper and box are just as exciting as the present inside.

Great reasons to be thankful!

Snoozing, photo by Harold Davis.

It’s virtually impossible to keep awake with a sleeping baby on one’s chest—as you can see in this shot Phyllis took of me snoozing with Katie Rose.

I am glad to have this photo, because who photographs the photographer? I don’t often appear in family photos.

Creative Night Advance Copy, photo by Harold Davis.

As usual, Katie Rose gets the first crack at the advance copy of our new book. She’s shown here looking at the back cover of Creative Night: Digital Photography Tips and Techniques. Phyllis, my partner in life and book-creating crime, looks on in amusement.

Other advance copy shots: Katie tries to eat Creative Composition; Katie considers the case studies in The Photoshop Darkroom.

Advance Copy Creative Composition, photo by Harold Davis.

In keeping with family tradition, the first look at the advance copy of our new book Creative Composition: Digital Photography Tips & Techniques went to Katie Rose.

She thinks the book looks good enough to eat. Literally. And I’m delighted with how the book came out. This is very exciting for me.

Creative Composition is not a traditional composition primer. As I note in the introduction, this “is not a book about Art School rules. This is a book about becoming a better photographer.”

Tasty, photo by Harold Davis.

What do Katie Rose and Harry Potter have in common? They both survived.