37 Weeks and counting

[SandeeWig]

Hey all! I haven't posted in a really long time (have been on maternal hiatus for almost a year!), but I would really appreciate some feedback on this. It's the first image processed of this beautiful mom-to-be (again; it's her 4th).

I was working w/ natural light in a small, child's bedroom and she is kneeling on the bed.It was the best room in the house for light, but had lots of distracting elements in the image, not the least of which were stickers on the walls, a child's comforter and the corner of the room being on the left vertical 3rds line. So, I went with a texture to minimize those elements and am curious if you think it helps/hurts the image. (sorry I don't have the original with me at the moment, but can post later if you want).

Note: I wish I had not cut her arm off...
Note2: This is uncropped

Exif is:
Canon XSi 18-55 kit lens
Aperture 4.0
Shutter 1/80
ISO 400


IMG_2191 copy by Aimee's Aperture, on Flickr

I'm open to any and all critique of the image, but am specifically wondering if the texture works or if she just looks kinda lost in it. Let me have it! Thanks!!

[mwatson]

She looks kind of pasted on the picture. It may be because I see a little halo like ring around her right arm and leg. Is this an actual background or is a Photoshop project? It looks really clean around her head and hair so I really can’t tell.

I may feel differently about it if I saw a shadow on the wall to give my mind a placement for her. But, then again, it looks like the light was not coming in a direction that would have placed a shadow on the wall.

To answer your question, she feels a little lost in the texture.

Also, I have never shot maternity so I know little about it but I would like to see more of her belly.

[bphilleo]

I have to say, I think it looks much better than I expected when I was reading your description of it. I like the texture, but I see what mwatson is saying about it looking a little fake because of the haloing around her.

[SandeeWig]

Originally Posted by mwatson

She looks kind of pasted on the picture. It may be because I see a little halo like ring around her right arm and leg. Is this an actual background or is a Photoshop project? It looks really clean around her head and hair so I really can’t tell.

I may feel differently about it if I saw a shadow on the wall to give my mind a placement for her. But, then again, it looks like the light was not coming in a direction that would have placed a shadow on the wall.

To answer your question, she feels a little lost in the texture.

Also, I have never shot maternity so I know little about it but I would like to see more of her belly.

Thanks, mwatson! Good catch! I thought I'd gotten rid of all the halos, but I see it too around her arm and leg. That was where most of the issues were (various colors from the bed comforter running into the side of her leg).

This is a texture, not a true background; however, the actual background in the portrait is mostly a tan colored wall (which is why there is a more natural transition above her head).

I hear what you're saying in terms of her pose. I have some that show her belly more, but I was playing with this one and got carried away w/ removing the background and adding the texture. Trying to decide if its worth doing this to any others...

Thanks so much for your feedback.

Originally Posted by bphilleo

I have to say, I think it looks much better than I expected when I was reading your description of it. I like the texture, but I see what mwatson is saying about it looking a little fake because of the haloing around her.

Thanks bphilleo. I'm going to work on fixing the haloing and I think a crop would help it too. I'm thinking I may need to tone down the texture a bit. It's kind of overpowering the more I look at it.

Thanks again!