My favourite subject.

[Athas_orm]

This is my favourite subject to photograph.



aparture F/2
time 1/40
focal length 50mm
Flash none


I'd like to know does this shot work? Is the post processing too heavy? Is the focal depth too shallow? Also I'd like to know how I'd go about cloning out that stray thread next to Connor's left eye.

[capuman]

Thats a really nice shot Athas! really like the colours and the focus you used - the only thing i might suggest is trying to focus a little more on the eyes next time. However i love the shot just as it is!

[Athas_orm]

Originally Posted by capuman

Thats a really nice shot Athas! really like the colours and the focus you used - the only thing i might suggest is trying to focus a little more on the eyes next time. However i love the shot just as it is!

Yeah I know I focused on the eyes using the center focus point and then recomposed by twisting the camera slightly. I'm not sure why I'm not getting correct focus on them. I seem to have this problem more with a nifty fifty than the kit lens.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can improve this.

Also I got some small prints of this photograph today 8/5 however the whites are whiter and the blacks are quite a lot blacker than onscreen I've pretty much lost all the brown in the eyes (very nearly black). And some of the subtlety of the skin tone is missing. Is there a problem with my monitor viewing or is this something to be expected when printing.

Ideally I'd like to get this one printed out fairly big. So anyone who can give me any advise on how to improve in PP or can point out flaws would be really appreciated.

[karen_s]

I really like the shot. Nice light and composition. He's a very handsome little guy :-)

I'm only guessing here but the depth of field with a 50mm at F/2 might be shallower than you think. I know my 60mm 2.8 is pretty shallow and sometimes I will get one eye in focus and not the other, especially if I am physically close to the subject. Focusing then recomposing is a great way to get focus (I do that a LOT!) but wonder if maybe the slightest shift in recomposing could make the eyes go just a tad out of range. Again, I am only guessing since I don't have this lens. If you can change your focal point on the viewfinder (select the one closest to the eye), you might try that rather than the recompose technique. A slightly narrower aperture (if you have enough light) might give you a little more wiggle room too.

I don't know what PP software you have but if it has a spot tool, clone tool, or a heal tool, you should be able to easily get rid of the red thread.

As far as printing, it's tough. You can calibrate your monitor with a special tool and some software but I have never done this. I have found paying close attention to the histogram to be very helpful with the lights and darks. I also order all my prints at one shop ( the best one in town). I get consistent results from them and have adjusted my PP to their output. I found that my blacks were filling in and my yellows were always way too much but once I adjusted, I started getting what I wanted. If I'm ordering a big print, I always run a small 4x6 first to test the color.

Hope that helps a bit.

[Jamesfotos]

Originally Posted by Athas_orm

Yeah I know I focused on the eyes using the center focus point and then recomposed by twisting the camera slightly. I'm not sure why I'm not getting correct focus on them. I seem to have this problem more with a nifty fifty than the kit lens.

Hi, For starters, Great Shot! To get the eyes sharp it isn't so much focusing while you take the picture but more so the post processing. Try googling how to "dodge and burn" and that will explain how to make the POP! I hope you don't mind but here is an example of what it can do!

[capuman]

Originally Posted by Jamesfotos

Hi, For starters, Great Shot! To get the eyes sharp it isn't so much focusing while you take the picture but more so the post processing. Try googling how to "dodge and burn" and that will explain how to make the POP! I hope you don't mind but here is an example of what it can do!

Thats a great little touch of improvement you've done there. What a difference it can make to simply bring out the contrast in the eyes. It happens when making characters in video games too. To make them more life like they really focus on the eyes.

As for the prints Athas_orm, theres not much you can do other than changing your photoshop (thats what you are using right?) colour/tone range to match those of the print shop. PS has its own colour range that you can adjust, you'll notice that sometimes viewing an image in your OS is completely different to viewing it in PS, and thats cause of its colour/tone range.

[Athas_orm]

Thanks Karren. Thats really helpful. I'll try a print from at home and see if it matches the prints from the shop if it does i'll reduce the contrast somewhat. I'll have to try the clone tool in PaintShopPro again. I couldn't find an appropiate source to clone from.

Originally Posted by Jamesfotos

Hi, For starters, Great Shot! To get the eyes sharp it isn't so much focusing while you take the picture but more so the post processing. Try googling how to "dodge and burn" and that will explain how to make the POP! I hope you don't mind but here is an example of what it can do!

You wouldn't believe it but I've actually lightened the eyes considerably in this shot already. His irises often just look like too holes in his eyes. Their probably one of the darkest brown eyes I've seen. The problem as I see it with too much PP is it stops looking like the subject.

This picture is a personal thing you know, not something for sale. Your work certainly does bring spark to the picture however.

Originally Posted by capuman

As for the prints Athas_orm, theres not much you can do other than changing your photoshop (thats what you are using right?) colour/tone range to match those of the print shop. PS has its own colour range that you can adjust, you'll notice that sometimes viewing an image in your OS is completely different to viewing it in PS, and thats cause of its colour/tone range.

Its not PS but rather Paint Shop Pro. I notice on serveral different monitors (none of which have been calibrated) the eyes look much lighter then in print. I think the prints were just too contrasty like someone turned up the contrast of the photo too much. I may get printed elsewhere (just small) 6x4 or do at home to compare before I purchase a canvas.


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Thanks for all your comments guys they have been really helpful.

Wes