What’s Your Preference?

zona5101 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-21-2010, 01:22 PM

I like this shot...but mostly because its an elusive subject.
I see some things I don't particularly like and I am not sure if I am being overly critical. What are your feelings about a) the lighting b) the background c) vignette d) other?
1/80f3.5iso200

Niresangwa · #2 (**permalink**) 12-21-2010, 03:00 PM

The lighting I like, if anything feels a little cool. Maybe a 1/4 CTO gel would help. Did you set the WB for flash, or custom?

The background is messy...mainly the bottom of the picture frame, to a slightly lesser extent the back of the couch/chair. I like the tone of the wall though, would have liked to have seen more of it.

Vignette is subtle, to the point it didnt jump out at me had i not looked for it after your brief.

Not sure what your focal length was, but maybe going down to 1/60th would have allowed the ambient to be a little brighter and balance the flash, which feels a little stark..but again, maybe its just because it has a cold feel to the the skin that I say that.

sk66 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-21-2010, 04:08 PM

Pretty much agree with everything...
My three biggest issues (and they are actually pretty small) I don't like the frame poking her in the head, the flash is a bit hot drawing the focus to her rt eye, hair is a bit messy ("fly aways") and would be tough too fix.

The vignette actually gives the impression of having used a separation light on the background; it's just a touch tight on the rt side of the image...

Nice shot overall!

zona5101 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-21-2010, 04:26 PM

Thanks for taking the time to comment.
The white balance was AB and then adjusted in post. The light was a single 16x20" soft box with a grid. The hair had a mind of its own and the Soc shot looks like I had a static generator next to her head (well i might be ever-so-slightly exaggerating). The edge of the frame in her head and the couch bisecting her skull are terrible and I knew they wouldn't pass scrutiny. I appreciate the idea of dropping the shutter a bit and picking up a bit more ambient, i think this would have not only balanced the background a bit but it would have added to the fill that is coming from a window on the right.
Thanks again for your assistance & insight.

autofocus · #5 (**permalink**) 12-21-2010, 05:24 PM

Bruce, I have to agree with what's mostly been said already. However, I like the lighting and the mood you were trying to convey. (It's somewhat dramatic and I believe it's called Rembrandt lighting) I couldn't resist playing a little with the image..I hope you don't mind. Did a little quick cloning, cropping, burning and dodging and some general warming up of the image a bit. I like the idea that you have here, and by making a few changes with your setup and a little post work it takes on a bit of a different look. It may be a little warm for some, but looks OK on my calibrated monitor. (I'll take it down if you want..just give me the word)

zona5101 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-21-2010, 05:41 PM

very nice edit Vince...and working from a crummy compressed jpg too! I thought about doing that but was fearful I'd muck it up. I think I will sit down tonight and give your edit idea some deserved attention. Thanks for the inspiration.

autofocus · #7 (**permalink**) 12-21-2010, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zona5101

very nice edit Vince...and working from a crummy compressed jpg too! I thought about doing that but was fearful I'd muck it up. I think I will sit down tonight and give your edit idea some deserved attention. Thanks for the inspiration.

Thanks Bruce...are you working in Photoshop? I wouldn't worry about mucking it up...that's why they have "save as" buton