Another Marina Shot . .

[soulmike 58]

bleach pic by mikethe8ike, on Flickr

I gave this shot a bleach bypass as i really like the effect . i love the gritty contrast and slight desaturated look . . i cropped quite close and would like your comments on the effect and the composition please . I was going to use my 50mm prime but someone advised me to opt for the telephoto and shoot from further back to avoid the abberation in some lenses that can be slightly unflattering . .i think it looks ok but what do you think ?

Canon 600 D
ef 55/259 F4/5
exp 5/6
ISO 800
One shot focus
evaluative metering
F/L 55mm

[Peach]

I saw the rest of your set and I have to say this is one that I do like.

However, here are things that bug me:

- As with your last picture, I would have liked her to be looking directly at the camera.
- I would have liked the patch of light to be near her eyes, or not present at all. (the big of fur on her coat is blown out, too).
- In all the pictures in the set I saw, her hair is pushed back the way she has it here and for me, that bugs me. I'm not a huge fan of the side swipe to begin with, and I feel that in these pictures it just doesn't "do it" for me. I would have liked to see it raked back, rather than overtop and to the side, or allowed to fall naturally.

What I -DO- like:

- I like the tones in this picture.
- I like the colors and I like the textures.
- I do like the close crop.
- I like the DOF and how you have her in focus and separated from the background.
- I don't see too much that I would mention as distracting in the background apart from a small patch of light near her wrist.

All in all, I like the picture.

[Hill Country Hack]

Originally Posted by Peach

I saw the rest of your set and I have to say this is one that I do like.

However, here are things that bug me:

- As with your last picture, I would have liked her to be looking directly at the camera.
- I would have liked the patch of light to be near her eyes, or not present at all. (the big of fur on her coat is blown out, too).
- In all the pictures in the set I saw, her hair is pushed back the way she has it here and for me, that bugs me. I'm not a huge fan of the side swipe to begin with, and I feel that in these pictures it just doesn't "do it" for me. I would have liked to see it raked back, rather than overtop and to the side, or allowed to fall naturally.

What I -DO- like:

- I like the tones in this picture.
- I like the colors and I like the textures.
- I do like the close crop.
- I like the DOF and how you have her in focus and separated from the background.
- I don't see too much that I would mention as distracting in the background apart from a small patch of light near her wrist.

All in all, I like the picture.

Peach hit all the points I was going to make. I have a preference for more light on the face, but if this is the look you were looking for, then you did it.

[soulmike 58]

Thanks for the comments . .actually i mentioned to her that her hair should be cut and shaped it does tend to flop all over the place (maybe now she will have it done eh ?) I tried to rescue the blown out coat but as im teaching myself Elements its a work in progress, im really glad the effect works as i do like it .
One thing im learning is that untill someone points things out i tend to just not notice . .even though its glaringly obvious ! i am going to do another shoot with Marina in an "urban" setting fairly soon and i shall certainly pay more attention to the backgrounds !! Its nice to hear im doing something right i was worried that the sharpness wasnt spot on and im glad that the DOF is ok . the rest i hope will fit into place as time goes by (with a little help from all of you . )

Once again thanks for your time and kind comments

[Olivia Price]

Originally Posted by soulmike 58

Thanks for the comments . .actually i mentioned to her that her hair should be cut and shaped it does tend to flop all over the place (maybe now she will have it done eh ?) I tried to rescue the blown out coat but as im teaching myself Elements its a work in progress, im really glad the effect works as i do like it .
One thing im learning is that untill someone points things out i tend to just not notice . .even though its glaringly obvious ! i am going to do another shoot with Marina in an "urban" setting fairly soon and i shall certainly pay more attention to the backgrounds !! Its nice to hear im doing something right i was worried that the sharpness wasnt spot on and im glad that the DOF is ok . the rest i hope will fit into place as time goes by (with a little help from all of you . )

Once again thanks for your time and kind comments

I have to admit that I notice things in everyone elses photo's but never in my own But keep posting images for critique it really does help!

As for this photo, I agree with Peach, I would prefer to see the light more on her face/eyes. Her hair is a bit sloppy but sometimes that really cannot be helped on your part. But don't be afraid to try to fix it as best you can during the shoot. In fact don't be afraid to adjust the model at all! I often find myself messing with my subject's hair & clothes! I actually do like her eye placement in this photo, it works for me.

As for your 50mm, get it out and use it! Don't be afraid to use it; it really is a great lens! Check out this thread: Canon 50mm f/1.4

[soulmike 58]

Wow .. what a great little review !!

Also it appears i have purhased a great little performer .(to quote one reviewer) i know what this lens is capable of and for very little money !! I did use it on the session towards the end of the day in the "Golden Hour" and it did capture everything in fact the colours were amazing if slightly overwhelming. I will make use of this lens on future shoots (those mannequin shots were great wernt they ? ) as ive stated im glad to be making some progress having voraciously devoured a couple of books on composition lately i was just trying to put it all together on this shoot and largely it was a hit n miss affair . . which was the reason for the shoot in the first place . . i have another couple of shoots lined up and hopefully all ive gleaned from the posts on here will elevate me and lead to better photos ,
I do intend on taking a couple of courses next year on portraiture as i truly believe that this can rightly be called art . . once again thanks to all for being patient with me and providing me with invaluable info from "outside the box" . .