What’s Your Preference?

fmpdena · #1 (**permalink**) 02-01-2011, 11:28 PM

Hello everyone! I'm still new to DPS. I took this photo a couple weeks ago. What do you think about the lighting? Is it too bright? What about his eyes? How is the focus? What is your general thought on this photo? This is my second critique so any advice and comments are welcome.

Exposure 1/200 sec
Aperture f/10
Focal Length 39 mm
ISO Speed 800
Flash Off

Thank you in advance!

Photologyst · #2 (**permalink**) 02-02-2011, 12:02 AM

The photo appears to be overexposed on my monitor, Dena while the eyes look very asymmetrical and odd.

I’ve adjusted and cropped the photo two ways in order to focus on the eyes. The Liquify tool was used to mitigate the asymmetry of the left eye.

My preference is for this one, if you want the eyes to be the focal point:

IABoomer · #3 (**permalink**) 02-02-2011, 12:09 AM

It kind of has a high-key look. You might be able to push up the black levels some to bring about some more contrast. It might work a little better if there was more space to the left for him to look into, or if he was looking into the right instead.

I think the level of detail and texture is good. I personally don't care for the above edits. They're just not my style at all.

SusanH1970 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-02-2011, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Photologyst

The photo appears to be overexposed on my monitor, Dena while the eyes look very asymmetrical and odd.

I’ve adjusted and cropped the photo two ways in order to focus on the eyes. The Liquify tool was used to mitigate the asymmetry of the left eye.

My preference is for this one, if you want the eyes to be the focal point:

Wow...you might consider calibrating. You turned it into a really muddy, grey mess. Not to mention the oversharpening of the eyes and bizarre skin smoothing that makes him look like Silly Putty. And the liquefy makes him look like he's got an eye twitch; the position of his eyes was fine in the original.

However, to the OP: The original does look a tad overexposed. Do you have a SOOC you can show us? It's difficult to get a good conversion unless the original SOOC is properly exposed and has correct white balance.

autofocus · #5 (**permalink**) 02-02-2011, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

Wow...you might consider calibrating. You turned it into a really muddy, grey mess. Not to mention the oversharpening of the eyes and bizarre skin smoothing that makes him look like Silly Putty.

warning...put on your flak jackets!

Photologyst · #6 (**permalink**) 02-02-2011, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

Wow...you might consider calibrating. You turned it into a really muddy, grey mess. Not to mention the oversharpening of the eyes and bizarre skin smoothing that makes him look like Silly Putty.

Hmm, perhaps it's your monitor? The photos look fine on mine, especially the "silly putty" one. Actually, I would remove some of those catch lights if I were the owner of the original, high res photo.

Why don't you try your luck at it?

SusanH1970 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-02-2011, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Photologyst

Hmm, perhaps it's your monitor? The photos look fine on mine, especially the "silly putty" one. Actually, I would remove some of those catch lights if I were the owner of the original, high res photo.

Why don't you try your luck at it?

My monitor is calibrated and my prints match my screen. If yours is also, perhaps you need new glasses.

I won't even attempt a conversion unless I have a properly exposed image. You're the queen of bad fixes, so I'll let you keep that crown.

autofocus · #8 (**permalink**) 02-02-2011, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

My monitor is calibrated and my prints match my screen. If yours is also, perhaps you need new glasses.

I won't even attempt a conversion unless I have a properly exposed image. You're the queen of bad fixes, so I'll let you keep that crown.

You are right Susan. even looking at them on my laptop, which is not calibrated, they look rather muddy.