Is this too much?

[Ari77]

Hi Everyone,

I need some opinions on this pic. Basically I completely overexposed it on purpose to intentionally flatten out her features. Added a curves adjustment, contrast, sharpen. boosted the saturation, and then converted to BW with a slight sepia tint.

What I need to know is:
- does the overexposure work?
- is the PP too much?
- does it work in terms of composition
- should I use a simpler background - was going for a contrast with flattened features

I was going for a look similar to the old portraits you see of young men before they went to war in military uniforms in the 30's and 40's. Would have been nice to get a better expression, but she is three......



Exif:
Camera: NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D90
Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/3.2
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Return detected

Thanks - Ari

[sican]

In my humble opinion, I think there is too much white on her face. I'd try to darken some parts a bit (for example neck, her left cheek).

The PP is not too much. You could've used a more simple background, but this one is fine. The only thing I'd do, would be to darken the white lines a bit, to remove some of the background distraction and draw attention to the face of the girl.

As for the composition, I like the lead room above her head.
Hope I helped a bit,

Regards,
Alex Cican

[RLucas]

I know the look you were going for, and I think you nailed it. Her expression even works for this. Curiosity with an apprehension of the unknown is the feeling I get from this photo. I don't know if I may be biased because you told me your intention with it or not, but this is the feeling I get from it.

As far as the exposure and processing go, I do not think it is too much. There is just enough definition left in her face to give it some form, as well as her chin line.

The only nit pic I have is the sepia tone. I think you could still have it, but just do it on a separate layer and reduce the opacity a tad.

Overall, I think it is well done!

[aRad82]

I really love this picture...great job! I am very new, so take what I say with a grain of salt as I am not a trained professional whatsoever! I am very drawn to these types of edits/overexposure though and I think you did a wonderful job...I am immediately drawn to her eyes because of it. I love the PP you did...not too much, just enough (IMO anyway!)

[Pitrih]

i like your picture but i would like it more if there was more definition on her face (really looks flat to me)
the pp is not too much.

[Ari77]

Thanks for all your CC. Added a new edit, I use Aperture 3 so burned the background and brushed a new sepia layer at 40%ish.

@sican - added a new edit, thanks for the help. Was getting lost a bit in the background. I really liked the movement it gave to the image, but agree it was too much. So burned the background and pulled the exposure back 1/3 of a stop. Yay for simple things!

@RLucas - I am so absolutely stoked you got the feeling from the pic. The other question I was going to as was 'does it evoke anything in you', I have a whole artist statement about why questions.....

@aRad82 - Thanks!!!!!!!!!

@Pitrih - Thanks for the comments - the flattening of the features was intentional. But love that you took the time to comment!

The new edit.......



Thanks again
Ari

[Pitrih]

oh i like the second edit much better