Need your opinion on this portrait

[mykekim]

Hello!

I made this picture split tone using lightroom and had mixed feelings on this portrait. Want and need your valuable opinion.
The model is my sis and while I like this picture a lot, she doesn't like the way she looks in it. I think it's subjective, but she says she looks unhappy in the picture.
I wanted thoughts on firstly the if the split tone works, the feel of the picture, and if they expression on the model is A) nice, B) suits the mood of the picture, C) if she's pretty!

Thanks for your time!

[Trader]

I agree with your sister.

[PhotoPhix]

While the subject is very pretty, the pp work and the background ruin the shot.


Armando

[LostMahbles]

I have to disagree with the notion that the PP ruins the shot. I agree with your sister in the sense that she doesn't look happy, but I also think that works for the shot and for the post processing. I guess what I'm saying is, to each his own, but I actually really liked it.

[mykekim]

LostMahbles, thanks for your thoughts. I thought the PP looked much better than the original, the original actually was a lackluster pic so I messed around and try to bring the image to life.

Photophix: what about the PP do you think ruined the shot? While I do agree the background is not anything stunning, i contemplated on removing the rows of cars in photoshop but decided to leave it in there, so bring a sense of a more 'casual' look to the picture, like taken out in the streets on the spur of the moment.

Trader: haha, I'll be sure to tell her that!

[KathrynWilson]

The PP ruins the shot in so far as I don't think those colors and tones would be flattering to anyone's skin for a portrait shot. It might look nice on architecture possibly, but not people.

I like the model's expression and she is gorgeous, though the hair across the face is a little distracting, and I find the background a little bright.

[mykekim]

Thanks Kathryn. What split tones colors would you suggest on people? This was a yellow and blue, hence the green result.

[KathrynWilson]

I would recommend avoiding them almost completely for portraits to be honest. Maybe you could get away with it for full body crops where the subject(s) are further away, but when it's a fairly close-up shot I think most split tones would be messing with the skin tones just for the sake of it. A nice warm toned duotone black & white is nice sometimes, or a very slight split tone for a vintage look to give a little extra blue to the shadows and warm color to the highlights. But on the whole I try to avoid it unless there are very special circumstances, and even then it's best to stick to one sort of tone you're trying to add. Here's one time (before and after) I've done it myself, because I felt like a vintage thing HAD to be done. This is one of the only instances I can recall doing this sort of thing. Skintones do tend to look best the way they are

[PhotoPhix]

Originally Posted by mykekim

Photophix: what about the PP do you think ruined the shot? While I do agree the background is not anything stunning, i contemplated on removing the rows of cars in photoshop but decided to leave it in there, so bring a sense of a more 'casual' look to the picture, like taken out in the streets on the spur of the moment.

!

The color you chose to tone the photo isnt flattering.

As for the background, rather than removing them I would suggest adding some lens blur as they might make a nice bokeh.


Armando

[denja]

I personally am not a big fan of split tone processing on portraits, but I applaud your effort. I think this image would be a great candidate for simulated cross processing. Probably E6 developed as C41. She is very pretty, but I don't think any models like the effect of special processing. Again, I really like your approach of trying different techniques, but I think you might like the results of a cross processing approach for portraits (actually I mean people, not necessarily posed portraits). Have fun in your digital darkroom!