Woman in a boat

[Gemini]

I've been to Paris for 5 days and for the first 3 or 4 days it was all about sightseeing, taking pics of the tower, the Montmartre, Louvre and stuff like that. But the last day we went for a walk, waiting for the sunset. We were walking by the river, and then we got off the "standard" route with all thise bridges, and went walking by the river bank and under those nice bridges. And that's where I saw this boat and I really loved the scene, so I suggested her to pose inside the boat.
We made this shot (taken with 70-200) when sun was sinking behind the horizon. The boat was under one of thise big bridges, and the light was only coming from the West.
So how do you like it? Is it too tight? Or should I've done a closeup? And what do you thing about the postprocessing? Added some contrast and desaturated it a little.



Bigger (and better) version is available here.

EXIF
Camera Model: Canon EOS 5D
Image Date: 2009:03:30 18:00:01
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 70.0mm
Exposure Time: 0.0050 s (1/200)
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO equiv: 800
White Balance: Auto
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)

[peeperita]

i love this.....the colors and lighting are of old masters....you could not have picked a better exposure.....

your post work is pretty.......muted and suubtle......and i swear that your model looks as if she picked just the right wardrobe to coordinate with the boat and the bricks.....

the composition puts a focus on the graffiti and the girl as one.......is it your addition......or something that was originally on the wall?

peeper

[Digidave]

I agree with Peepers on this one. Great eye! Very cool shot!

[Gemini]

Hi peeperita, thank you for your comment.
She wanted to dress the "city way", since she's a big Amelie fan (you know, the movie), and it kind of fitted in the whole composition.
The graffiti was already there, and I do not know what it means, it looks like a "George & Mary" love note, but the second "name" is suspicious to me
I think the graffiti actually adds to the whole photo. Without it there would be a lot of empty wall, and this way the pic is.. how can I put it... Balanced?

Digidave, thanks!

[peeperita]

Originally Posted by Gemini

.
The graffiti was already there, and I do not know what it means, it looks like a "George & Mary" love note, but the second "name" is suspicious to me

it's spelled a lot like the "pet name" my girlfriends and i have for each other.....

that got me to thinking about the first name as well......so i googled and i thought you might get a chuckle out of it....

Connard - Mot du Jour - Learn a French word a day

going back to the image, i did want to say that you did indeed frame perfectly for including the grafiti in the subject/ focus with your firend and the boat.......and again, i like this piece immensely......

peeper

[abhijnanm]

never been to Paris but this is a much different and better looking paris,thanks for sharing.Have you tried seeing the picture in monochrome.It might add to the composition.Just a thought

[Gemini]

Hm, interesting idea! I'll try it in b/w, maybe with a little brightness and contrast, too.

[abhijnanm]

pls do post after you change it to b/w.Dont use fill light option.The darkness on the right hand side will look good.Play with the contrast though.

[Gemini]

Here's what I ended up with. So which one is better, color or bw?

[abhijnanm]

i personally prefer the b/w.But your friends face seems to have lost the profile.Did u use the enhance highlight option?