Lomoish and high contrast portraits

[kgtyamar]

Hello. I am not sure if this is the right section to post this for critiques or the processed section. Just new to this so please bear with me. Lately, I have been editing portraits I have taken using lightroom (which I just started using a month ago) and just noticed I just liked presets that create a lomoish and high contrast effect on photos I have taken, especially portraits. Below is one and I have included links below for others. Just would like to ask for others opinions whether I over edited the pictures or if what I did is ok....



DSC_0220 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
DSC_0114 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
DSC_0096 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
DSC_0088 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
DSC_0010 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[WooD]

It seems the only thing in focus is the card he's holding.

I'd pay more attention to your backgrounds too.

[thephotophile]

I agree, with portraits the focus should always be on the eyes.
Also. backgrounds that are too busy detract from the primary reason you make a portrait to start off with, to display the subject/model.

Keep shooting, the more you do the better you will get.

[PS*]

In my experience a Lomo-ish process doesn't print very friendly on portraits. Looks better with scenes and landscapes but not so much when a person is the main orientation of the photo. Now if you are shooting 120 film in a Diana or a Holga camera its fine but the digital effect hasn't lived up yet to the on screen image at least for me. YMMV.

[kgtyamar]

Oh man. I was too concerned with the color and saturation that I did not realize composition to begin with was an issue in my photos. Next time, I really need to be sensitive with the surroundings then. I just have another question. Well, I'll give you a little bit of background first of this portrait before I get to my question. This was taken in a sleepers train when my friend and I were going to Xian, China. We were actually having a communication problem with the people around us as all of the Chinese passengers could not speak English. When the grandfather of the kid in the photo learned that we were from the Philippines, he got the flashcards and immediately gave the card with the Philippine flag to his grandson. I just snapped the shutter away to capture the moment. The camera was set on a wide opening and since I was in a hurry to get this photo, I was not able to change the settings anymore and autofocus locked on the flag instead of the kids face. Also, I had no control of the background as there is little space to move around inside the train. (sorry, background way too long). So my question is if you get in a situation like this that you want to capture a particular moment but have little control of the environment particularly the background (assuming I had focused correctly, just need to be alert next time), will you be thinking twice in taking the photo? or consider discarding the photo with distracting backgrounds? or is there a way to work around this using photoshop?

[woods]

Too bad the photo is not sharp, but I personnally still like it especially with the story. Don't throw it right away, it is a nice travel souvenir.

By the way, ahy don't you prefer this one: DSC_0226 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
or this one: DSC_0220 on Flickr - Photo Sharing! (ok this one is italian flag... )

Originally Posted by kgtyamar

This was taken in a sleepers train when my friend and I were going to Xian, China.

Xi'An is great city ! I lived there 6 months 4 years ago. And sleepers train is one of the best way to travel in China. It's cheap and you can meet people.

Originally Posted by kgtyamar

So my question is if you get in a situation like this that you want to capture a particular moment but have little control of the environment particularly the background (assuming I had focused correctly, just need to be alert next time), will you be thinking twice in taking the photo?

If you have time, think. If you don't, just snap !

[kgtyamar]

Thanks Woods for the response. My friend and I loved Xian and people there were accomodating especially in the hostel we stayed in. Our sleepers train experience was also unforgettable especially that we have known this endearing kid in the photo. Well, I loved this photo a lot, although it's not sharp, because of the story behind it. But I guess I have to practice taking photos more so I could get well composed and focused pics especially in moments like this. Thanks y'all for the insights....