Mother and daughter candid black & white Sunset Beach portrait on Treasure Island Florida - Nikon D300 Nikkor 50mm @ f/2.5 ISO 200 1/250th - Strobist: SB-800 to frame left & SB-600 to frame rightLately I have been photographing rather large families on Florida's beaches. This time it was a family of four and I was reminded of the benefits of photographing such a small number of people, and also with children not out of control. We were also at my favorite beach, Sunset Beach on Treasure Island. This was an opportunity for me to try new shots and take my time. The shot above was a candid between setup shots of mother and daughter. Converting to black & white had a dramatic effect on the overall look of the photo and it may end up being one of my personal favorites of 2013.
Family visits Sunset Beach on Treasure Island Florida and jumps to the sky - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/6.3 ISO 200 1/100th - Strobist: SB-800 to frame left & SB-600 to frame rightThe family requested a jumping shot, one that is not on my normal shot list, so another chance at a new type of shot. It took quite a few tries to get everyone to jump in a semi-coordinated effort and not have faces blocked, etc.
Carrying the kids family beach portraits on Sunset Beach Treasure Island Florida - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/5 ISO 200 1/100th - Stobist: SB-800 to frame left & SB-600 to frame rightAs you can see it was not a clear sunset that evening, but more a dramatic backdrop of clouds backlit by the setting sun. The family liked this background, and for me it provided another differentiating factor for this series of images.
Family in form on Sunset Beach Treasure Island Florida - Nikon D300 Nikkor 50mm @ f/2 ISO 200 1/160th natural lightThis photo was my idea, earlier on in the shoot. The dad mentioned how he did not mind if he was not in some shots, so I placed him furthest back and using a 50mm lens at f/2 let shallow depth of field create interest in the framing. I do not often get to use my 50mm lens during beach portrait sessions due to lack of time.
Family walking down Sunset Beach Treasure Island candid portraits - Nikon D300 Nikkor 80-200mm @ f/4 ISO 320 1/500th natural lightThis last shot is one I often make of a family walking down the shore using my long lens (Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D). It was a windy day and it kicked up waves making the Gulf of Mexico look more like a proper ocean background.
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