Candid @ Night

[Chip]

I took this over the weekend at a camp out. Two different light sources: flourescent lamp to the camera's right and fire to the camera's left. I waited for this 5th grader to walk into the right spot, called his name, and pressed the shutter.

My main question is about the lighting. I know it's not the usual lighting and the skin is bathed in 2 different color lights, but does it work in this shot? Or is it just wishful thinking on my part?

If the shot works, I'll spend more time on PP to clean it up.

And if it doesn't work, please tell me. I'd like to learn why it's not a good shot.

Thanks for any input on the lighting or on anything else to do with this photo.



Exposure: 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture: f/3.8
Focal Length: 52 mm
ISO Speed: 6400

[OhSnapPhotos]

It's definitely an interesting shot. I'm not sure if it works or not though. Because of the two different lights sources you appear to have two sets of shadows on his face, particularly his nose. Also, one side of his face looks really warm and the other cold. I'm sure it can be done (by someone, not by me!), but evening out those tones on his face is probably going to take a lot of post work.

You say you will 'clean it up'. What exactly do you plan on doing? That might make a difference in whether or not it will be a good shot or not. I'm very curious to see what you - or others - will do with this shot.

Good Luck!

[lputman]

As it stands now, I think this looks like it's been pasted onto this background. I'm with OhSnapPhotos on this one, what would you do?

[Chip]

Originally Posted by OhSnapPhotos

It's definitely an interesting shot. I'm not sure if it works or not though. Because of the two different lights sources you appear to have two sets of shadows on his face, particularly his nose. Also, one side of his face looks really warm and the other cold. I'm sure it can be done (by someone, not by me!), but evening out those tones on his face is probably going to take a lot of post work.

You say you will 'clean it up'. What exactly do you plan on doing? That might make a difference in whether or not it will be a good shot or not. I'm very curious to see what you - or others - will do with this shot.

Good Luck!

Thanks for the comments! I did use a flash (borrowed an SB600) for many of the shots I took that night. But for this one, I just wanted to try something different. So, while I suppose it's possible to even out the light on his face, that's really not my intent with this shot - I already have a few other shots with even lighting.

For the other PP work I'd do, I was referring to the transition between his hair and the dark background. It was time consuming for me to get this far, and I just ran out of time and stopped.

Any other thoughts on the lighting of this shot "as is"? Is it just plain weird? Or is it unique in a good way?

Honesty in and C&C is always appreciated. Thanks.

[Chip]

Originally Posted by lputman

As it stands now, I think this looks like it's been pasted onto this background. I'm with OhSnapPhotos on this one, what would you do?

Thanks, Lori. The PP work I've done so far was to darken the background with a layer mask and then erase away the boy to get the birightness back in his face and shirt (also sharpened his eyes and noise reduction). I think/hope that the more refined transition from the hair to the background would make is seem less like a cut and paste job. I'll work on that when I have time (I'm slow when in comes to PP) and will post "version 2" when it's done. Thanks again.

[steelese]

I say adjust the white balance and drop the blue. It is just to distracting to have the two colors.

[Nathan deGargoyle]

I really like this one. It gives a very unusual, distictive feel to a great catch. Well done!

[Chip]

steelese I say adjust the white balance and drop the blue. It is just to distracting to have the two colors.

v.

Nathan deGargoyle I really like this one. It gives a very unusual, distictive feel to a great catch. Well done!

Thanks very much, steelese and Nathan. These opposing opinions capture a lot of what I love about photography . . . and a lot of what frustrates me at the same time. One of the things that I stuggle with the most is having the "eye" to "see" or "feel" what's a good shot. But I do enjoy the subjectivity of it all.

I did re-edit the original in a way that I hope makes it look less like a cut out. I did very little PP around the hair. Color (or colour if you prefer) issues aside, is this version an improvement?

Also, here's a link to the same photo with the colors a bit more natural. This was as close as I know how to get to making the light look natural, or even.

Thanks for the C&C everyone. It's been a good learning experience.