Too much contrast in this b/w?

[SandeeWig]

So this image was taken in front of a large tinted window at 3pm, the sun was high and bright despite the tint. I liked the color version (though overexposed), but wondered how it might convert as a high key b/w. With DPP, I made this conversion by upping the contrast to 3, and added an orange filter. I'm not crazy about the shadow under my nose, but thought it was a pretty dramatic conversion.

Just wondered what you all thought in terms of the crop, the b/w conversion and strong contrast. Wasn't sure whether to put in portraits or processing critique. The color version (SOOC/cropped) is available on my flickr for comparison.

Thanks for any and all input.



exif:
Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Exposure: 0.013 sec (1/80)
Aperture: f/5.0
Focal Length: 34 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Fired - DIY biz card bounced off side wall (though probably didn't need it)

[i speak in math]

Its not that there is too much contrast, you've simply blown out (overexposed) all the detail in the face. It's waaaayyy too bright, and you won't be able to bring back much detail unless this is the result of some PP.

[redcoldfire]

Agreed... the picture is overexposed and ... in that sense its too much contrast between the blacks and whites. A few other things i noticed were: The subject blends too much with the background and her hair gets lost in it. A reflector below her face would have been great to dull out the nose and chin shadow... grab anything white and use it as a reflector next time =)... GOOD Luck have fun and keep shooting.

A&A

[kencaleno]

Well overexposed and chin shadow kills the image dead. Ken

[SandeeWig]

Originally Posted by i speak in math

Its not that there is too much contrast, you've simply blown out (overexposed) all the detail in the face. It's waaaayyy too bright, and you won't be able to bring back much detail unless this is the result of some PP.

Too bright?! I actually caused that in post; the original wasn't that overexposed, but as I upped the contrast, and the face got brighter, I kind of liked the way it made my wrinkles less noticeable! Guess I over did it. Thanks math speaker. I appreciate your comments.

Originally Posted by redcoldfire

Agreed... the picture is overexposed and ... in that sense its too much contrast between the blacks and whites. A few other things i noticed were: The subject blends too much with the background and her hair gets lost in it. A reflector below her face would have been great to dull out the nose and chin shadow... grab anything white and use it as a reflector next time =)... GOOD Luck have fun and keep shooting.

A&A

Thanks A & A. *thumps head* reflector reflector reflector! It's like the one thing I always forget. Sheets of paper laying around everywhere! Thanks for the tip, will try to remember next time.

Originally Posted by kencaleno

Well overexposed and chin shadow kills the image dead. Ken

Yep, you're right, Ken. That chin shadow is killer!

Here's another conversion done w/ ps, just to prove it wasn't overexposed. However, the chin and nose shadows remain and from here forth it shall remain buried.