• Please use real names.

    Greetings to all who have registered to OPF and those guests taking a look around. Please use real names. Registrations with fictitious names will not be processed. REAL NAMES ONLY will be processed

    Firstname Lastname

    Register

    We are a courteous and supportive community. No need to hide behind an alia. If you have a genuine need for privacy/secrecy then let me know!
  • Welcome to the new site. Here's a thread about the update where you can post your feedback, ask questions or spot those nasty bugs!

Golden Samantha

M

Matt Halstead

New member
Hi guys,

I've just finished working on this image. Again, lit and processed to acheive a painterly effect.

I often get picked up on the subject blurring into the background, so to confirm, this is done deliberately:

6826077329_11be86b342_z.jpg


Feedback is more than welcome.

Thanks,

Matt
 
B

Bart_van_der_Wolf

pro member
Matt Halstead said:
Feedback is more than welcome.
Click to expand...

Hi Matt,

Personally I would have preferred a more elevated main light. As it is now, there is hardly any light gradient on her left cheek and bridge of the nose, and too much light on her lower chin/neck, under the nose. That optically adds weight, which is less desired by most women.

As for the pose, I think that the head is turned a bit too much which results in too much white of the eyes showing. Combined with the lighting, it makes her right eye look relatively large. I do like the eye contact.

Just my personal observations, which is easier afterwards than during the shoot. Portraiture is difficult, but therefore very rewarding when it works out well.

Keep up the good work, you're building a nice series.

Cheers,
Bart
 
M

Matt Halstead

New member
Hey Bart,

thanks for the constructive criticism. I have to agree, in particular respect the lighting on the neck, which i may burn a touch.

It's important that i get this image right as it is my fiance!

Cheers,
 
R

Ruben Alfu

New member
Hi Matt,

I like how that painterly look is more transparent in this photo, it provides a beautiful aesthetic to an engaging portrait. The blurring in her shoulders is distracting IMO, looks more like an artifact than a complement to the rest of the photo.

Regards,

Ruben
 
fahim mohammed

fahim mohammed

Well-known member
Matt, I have looked at this beautiful lady, your fiancee, and the photograph of her.

I would convert it to bw.

The I would give it a subtle tonality on the darker side. The lighted window side of the face

I would burn slightly. I would let her right side inc. the shoulder to go dark. I would

create a mystery first with this image. Gentle fall off of the light. From her left to the right.

Then I would give an agressive glamor glow.

Just my thoughts.

When, btw, is the big day?
 
M

Matt Halstead

New member
Thanks for all the very helpful feedback. Fahim, i like your idea so may have a play with a b & w conversion.

the big day is june 1st 2013!
 
J

John Wolf

New member
Hi Matt,

I find the lighting, color, and texture very flattering. Her hair and eyes are beautiful and nicely rendered, and I like her neutral expression. Overall it's a soft, warm impression, which sounds like what you were after.

The two things I would change can't be corrected in post. One is that her head is turned a bit much, such that her pupils are in the corners of her eyes and the whites of her eyes occupy too much space. The other actually bothers me a little more; it's the skewed neckline of her shirt, which for me creates an imbalance and a sort of pull to the left, if that makes sense.

But these are probably both quibbles and overall I think it's a wonderful, natural portrait with post work that I imagine nicely expresses her nature.

John
 
M

Matt Halstead

New member
Hi john,

Thanks for teh feedback. Upon reflection, I completely agree about the eyes and neckline. Admittedly it was a bit of an imprommptu shot, so i was rushing a bit, although I will deff pay more attention to the eyes and clothing next time!
 
Asher Kelman

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Matt Halstead said:
Hi guys,

I've just finished working on this image. Again, lit and processed to acheive a painterly effect.
Click to expand...

6826077329_11be86b342_z.jpg


Matt,

I do like the picture but wish it wasn't so processed. I don't understand the use of the word, Painterly" since it's devoid of any brush strokes. That's not some witticism on my part, I realy have no idea what painterly means. Why does this get to be called "painterly". To me it looks like a good photograph which has been selectively smooths and softened.

The degree of skin smoothing is a matter of taste. So I have no judgment, good or bad, as it's a matter of what both of you like. However, when it comes to the eyes, I think you might reconsider how the two eyes are presented so differently. How can here right eye be so brilliant and the other so soft and flat in relation to it?

Asher
 
Cem_Usakligil

Cem_Usakligil

Well-known member
John Wolf said:
Hi Matt,

I find the lighting, color, and texture very flattering. Her hair and eyes are beautiful and nicely rendered, and I like her neutral expression. Overall it's a soft, warm impression, which sounds like what you were after.

The two things I would change can't be corrected in post. One is that her head is turned a bit much, such that her pupils are in the corners of her eyes and the whites of her eyes occupy too much space. The other actually bothers me a little more; it's the skewed neckline of her shirt, which for me creates an imbalance and a sort of pull to the left, if that makes sense.

But these are probably both quibbles and overall I think it's a wonderful, natural portrait with post work that I imagine nicely expresses her nature.

John
Click to expand...
John has summarized my thoughts on this. I have been bothered by the skewed neckline which creates a very sloppy sensation and disturbs the balance imo. Also agreed on the eyes. This way, it looks as if she is giving you the "dramatic look" like this very famous chipmunk ;).
 
Asher Kelman

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Matt Halstead said:
ha, that chipmunk is brilliant! I take the point exactly :D
Click to expand...

Matt,

O.K., after this fun, what next? might you possibly give us two new versions.

1. Just processed enough, but no added style.

2. With your style

That would be enjoyable, but I'm happy anyway!

Asher
 
M

Matt Halstead

New member
Asher Kelman said:
Matt,

O.K., after this fun, what next? might you possibly give us two new versions.

1. Just processed enough, but no added style.

2. With your style

That would be enjoyable, but I'm happy anyway!

Asher
Click to expand...

Hi Asher, if I get time over the weekend I'll post a version with less PP.

Cheers
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top