First Fashion Attempt

[anton_dubai]

I have a shot of my girlfriend doing a fashion show. If I posted it in a wrong place, please excuse me, I thought about "other - critique", or "post-processed" section, but decided portrait section is a proper place...
This was shot during Dubai Fashion Week. A show by Walid Atallah, the most famous and talented designer in the Middle East, the main dress of the night is shown in the picture...

I was not ready for shooting this event, and didn't have anything, but my Nikon D90, and 18-105 kit lens with me... I had an invitation, but asked a permission to be in the "media zone", since I came late, the good places and the front row was taken, I had to find a place on the side, and to stand almost on my leg, so that another doesn't cross the yellow line

I don't have any experience with making such shots, and wasn't happy with the result. the dress turned out to be really yellow, and all the lightning was terrible...
Since it is a wedding dress I opened GIMP and playerd with layers, masks etc... to make the dress of a proper white color.
so here it is...
What do you think of colors? composition, framing? did I have to sit down and shoot from the floor level like many guys did there? any comments are more than welcomed.

[anton_dubai]

my idea about this photo is hat framing sucks. but I didn't have a proper lens to zoom even more and I was supposed to not be among the press guys with expensive photo equipment. actually remember feeling not really well at that time. we have saying in my language, like the white crow...
the second thing is a blur in the background it could be more, but as soon as I save a fortune for 80-200 2.8 lens I will get it...
Any other comments?

[anton_dubai]

sorry I can't find the .NEF file to provide the EXIF data.

[PowerPix]

The photo looks soft and areas are blown out, which caused most of the white part of the dress to lose detail. I'd personally like to see a little more in the frame on the right side behind the end of the dress, just to get it all in. Btw, Is the dress see through!?!?!

[anton_dubai]

the original file was not even white. but yellow. it took me a lot of time to apply the mask, and correct it. I tried the edge detect filter, fighting the missing lines, and trying to give a dress more details, but that all I could do. : ( regarding the frame I had to be in the middle of the media zone to get the correct composition. from here, and from standing postion I don't really like it.

[LoveDSLR]

Originally Posted by anton_dubai

sorry I can't find the .NEF file to provide the EXIF data.

D90
1/100
f/5.6
ISO 500
105 mm

Fashion shows are generally EV 7.5-11 (e.g., f/4.5 ISO 500 1/500).

[anton_dubai]

Originally Posted by LoveDSLR

D90
1/100
f/5.6
ISO 500
105 mm

Fashion shows are generally EV 7.5-11 (e.g., f/4.5 ISO 500 1/500).

Oh, yes, I can see, I didn't delete the exif data from the picture information.
thanks for the advice, will try to adjust settings next time...
what about the temperature? I should I not worry about it and tune it later on in GIMP?

[LoveDSLR]

Originally Posted by anton_dubai

will try to adjust settings next time...

Try using the fastest shutter speed while maintaining a reasonable DOF. D90 is good up to ISO 1600-3200.

Originally Posted by anton_dubai;

what about the temperature? I should I not worry about it and tune it later on in GIMP?

Combination. Custom WB on white at the show or adjust it at PP.

[anton_dubai]

Originally Posted by LoveDSLR

Try using the fastest shutter speed while maintaining a reasonable DOF. D90 is good up to ISO 1600-3200.

will it not result in a noisy image? I though because the subject is standing still I can avoid using extreme shutter speeds and ISO... but surely I will try it...

[LoveDSLR]

Originally Posted by anton_dubai

will it not result in a noisy image? I though because the subject is standing still I can avoid using extreme shutter speeds and ISO... but surely I will try it...

The best things about Nikon cameras are the sensor and metering. The D5000, D90 and D300/D300s share the same sensor technology that is good up to ISO 1600/3200.

I set my D3 auto ISO to 6400 and D300 to 3200. However, each of us has a different standard in acceptable noise level so you have to do some testing for yourself.