Head in a Box - Negative Space and Lighting

[mwatson]

Camera Pentax K10D
Exposure 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture f/9.5
Focal Length 18 mm
ISO Speed 140

I’ve wanted to take a picture like this ever since I saw a tutorial on layer masks in Photoshop. So, since Halloween is right around the corner, I did it. Not 20 minutes ago.

I got some compliments on a photo that I took for my use of negative space. I wanted to try it again. Seeing as I only have Berber carpet and Spanish tile in my house, I decided to shoot on a solid color rug. I wanted a whole bunch of negative space because I did not want to distract from the subject/title.

I set up my flash at almost 45 degrees camera right facing the box. I got it as high as my ceiling would allow and pointed it down as far as I could without it tipping over. I decided on this location because I wanted my face to as visible as possible.


My questions involve the negative space, the flash set up and post processing.

I know negative space can be a powerful tool but can you overdo it? Did I over do it? Also, does the pattern in the rug distract, rendering my goal pointless?

As for the flash set up, does this angle work or should I have picked another location? I figured since my end product was going to be just my head in a box, I should illuminate the head as much as possible.

I have two different colors going on here. The original picture was a little hot so I toned it down a bit but I then had the idea to colored in my face with a light shade of blue with the brush tool in Lightroom. I am still learning when it comes to proper color balancing photos. Is this a no-no or does it matter in this particular photo (you know, conveying death and all).

[graciousness]

Is that vignetting that I'm seeing or you forgot to vacuum?

I love negative space. I also like the way you think outside the box with your work (although in this one, you are literally in one which I also admire - ha!). But I don't know about the negative space on this one. Perhaps it's the bland colour of the carpet? I don't know. It's just not adding anything to the image. Box placement feels off to me.

I think you needed to put the box on a table so that it creates a bit more interesting texture and story behind your box? The carpet just feels too.....I don't know....bland again is the word.

Your face feels underexposed to me. How about more exposure with a bit more contrast? Colour is ok and the redness around the eyes conveys some grimness to it, but then your cheeks are as red as santa's. Adding the blue is the right idea, but I don't see it added. I would have thought you added red saturation on your face.

I'd desaturate your face and then perhaps add the blue tones after that? I imagined decapitated heads would have been drained of blood, hence, more blue.

I hope this makes sense

[bphilleo]

I love this photo! I think the negative space is great.

I do agree however that the face looks slightly underexposed and that it looks a little to alive to be believable. I would make the face a little more pale.