is it a overproceesed BW photo of a child?

[ingulita]

haya all,
here I go, this is my first and not sure whether it should be the last or not. I’m so inspired by work of other talented people....
not sure how overporcessed this photo looks, after some point in photoshop I might have lost the vision although i remained attached to the composition, my son's thoughts in big world behind him....
i'd like for your feedback on does it look too overprosced, idea behind is to carry the positive energy, light from inside out, i'd like to hear what's do you see.

any advise and suggestions or criticism is welcome.

cheers




ingulita
canon 40d, L canon 18-200mm
photoshp elements

Exposure: 0.002 sec (1/640)
Aperture: f/8.0
Focal Length: 18 mm
Exposure: +0.05
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off

[Murtasma]

I like the image you have shared here. I don't think it's over processed at all. I do however find the tree or bush growing behind him somewhat distracting. I would have placed him in front of it so it was blocked or off to the side so it doesn't compete with the boy. I like this expression and spider man face. The location where you shot this at is nice as well.

Thanks for sharing

[RoyL]

It would be nice to see the photo without the vignette.

Your son has that I'm not happy about this sort of look, and then the face painting, all go to make him interesting. The vignette is also stepping into his space.

Also, you have made a nice composition out of the landscape, and in B&W it works really well.

Vignette is something that you should be selective about it's use. Always go back a couple of days later and compare B&W with and without vignette alongside the original. Your eye's will tell you.

Should add that I like the bush being where it is in relation to your son, it gives a sense of motion like wind.

[BryanC]

I have the same thoughts about the vignette. It doesn't seem to fit this particular image. Other than that, I like the composition and feel of it.

[xxpinballxx]

Okay, I think its a great shot but feel it can be a bit improved upon with a simple edit.
I think the right side with your son is a bit darker than the left side where its the open area.
I would personally take it and duplicate the layer and increase brightness on the top one and then erase the area to the left of the boy to expose the correct exposure....maybe even bring the exposure on that layer down some. That would add the light to the boy and draw the eyes there. For me imy eyes are first drawn to the boy but almost immediately go the background where its brighter.

[ingulita]

oh guys, thank you all for your input. That's great!!!

By adding vignette I think I was trying to controll light in the middle but xxpinballxx,, you gave me a very good tip how to fix exposures in different areas by duplicating the layers. Why I didn't think it before!! I tried doing it by burn brush and it wasn't good.

RoyL/BryanC - thank you for reminding about vignette use, I can see how it can be over-used but if it's right the effect is incredable

Murtasma - i'll try lightening my son and see how bush looks then, thank you !

I'll redo the photo and post it again (if i manage to steal some time from work , oops)

[RoyL]

Originally Posted by Murtasma

....... I do however find the tree or bush growing behind him somewhat distracting. I would have placed him in front of it so it was blocked or off to the side so it doesn't compete with the boy.

I think the placement of the bush, deliberate or not, gives a sense of motion, this along with the curly hair makes it look windy. Without it you have a picture of a boy in a park, just like thousands of other pictures of boys in parks. Sometimes it is good to break all the rules to achieve the desired result.

[ingulita]

thanks all for your feedback.... here's another versios, I tried to lighten up his siluate and removed veginette, what do you think?
cheers

[xxpinballxx]

I do like the revision better without the vignetting.