The Porcelain Doll [Best Viewed Larger]

Thank you for your comments. Regards, Kelvin.

Yuni's contribution to my photographic development is truely immeasurable. Meeting her inspired me to pursue portrait/glamour/fashion photography. Her folder is my creative portfolio i.e. it contains the most varied shooting conditions and concepts. All lighting techniques and concepts which are new to me are first practiced with her. She often has to shoot at a moment's notice - when "inspiration" strikes - and thus has not enjoyed the assistance of a make-up artist. Hence, there is a searching and work-in-progress quality to our collaborative efforts. She is so PATIENT with these inconveniences, it is unbelivable. At one time, the notion was harboured by myself that working with one model was a disadvantage. On the contrary, it has become clear that there are many advantages. A key advantage is that any change in my style is easily recognised since the underlying template remains constant. Also, because we trust each other completely, we can go further creatively than my comfort level would allow with anyone else. So far, artistic nudes are only for Yuni. For this portrait, we were experimenting with "Butterfly/Paramount/Dietrich Lighting". The objective was to create a significant "butterfly shadow" under a small nose, yet have catchlights (the reflection of the light in the eyes) created by the same light source as used in classic "Butterfly Lighting". Took us three days to figure it out and Yuni was there every step of the way. We found that unless the neck is significantly extended, it was not possible with one light and that the esthetics of an extended neck appeared very unnatural except when viewed from a high viewpoint. Curiously, the break-through came from observing the shadows created by an overhead light while we dined at a restaurant. With that discovery, we decided to use two lights for a modified "Butterfly Light". The "Butterfly Shadow" under her nose and the highlights & shadows on her cheeks are exaggerated by placing the main light directly over her head and pointing straight down. A second light was used from the front to provide the catchlights and soften the shadow under the chin. Interestingly, the brightly lit areas on her face resemble a bird soaring with outstretched wings - the wing-tail separations provided by the shadows at the nasolabial (between nose & lips) creases. In hindsight, we would have been fine with the main light being a little infront of Yuni and not directly overhead, thus making the butterfly shadow visible but not exaggerated. Well, maybe next time. Thank you my dear muse. Regards, Kelvin.

Beautiful model, great photographer; I love it Kelvin! Regards, Catalin

Beautiful work, Kelvin! Best regards, Ruud.

Gorgeous & nicely capture, Kelvin, unique portrait!!! Best regards.

Almost unreal!Superb portrait again,Kelvin.Thanks for the information,very instructive.

Cheers,Jim

Very delicate light and shadow play on her face, Kelvin, what makes her skin look like marble. beautiful contrast with the colored garments.

Thank you Catalin, Rudd, Richard, Jim, Reck and Pnina for your kind comments. Pnina, this "marbled effect" was created mainly with the use of the clone stamp and healing tools in PHOTOSHOP + four hours of my life. It would take a real retoucher much less time to produce better results. The "doll concept" was chosen based on Yuni's "blank" stare and hence the very smooth finish. There is a little bit of paint on the forehead as well BUT no use of any of the blur tools. Was extremely surprised that such a smooth effect could be created without blur. The original TIFF file as processed using Capture1Pro RAW file processing software before the PHOTOSHOP work is included for your review. Regards, Kelvin.

Kelvin, 4 hours of your life, well worth the result, looking at the initial photo. I keep my dance files and others in TIF format, but I will start working with RAW.

 

Thanks for your explanation.

A perfect, and original shot. You almost made me think porcelain doll. It looked so real. Great work my friend. Best regard, Torfinn.

Another winner, Kelvin. Beautiful portrait with high quality use of lights. The porcelain effect works fine. Nice clothing and colors. Yumi's expression is lovely as always. Congrats!

Perfect work with a professional touch, just beautiful.

 

Regards

Thanks for the detailed bg info & sharing your technique of using lights to create a beauttiful portrait. Her skin texture is so smooth, really like porcelain that I look closely to make sure she is not a 'mannequin" :-) I look forward to more of your experimental works & in the process also learn from you. Thanks for your generous sharing, Kelvin.

Hello Kelvin,

 

thanks for sharing! Wonderful portrait my friend! Greetings Paul

Amigo kelvin, su indudable maestria, criterio estetico acertado y sentido artistico, unido al excelente rendimiento de su Canon hace que sus obras sean unicas, felicidades amigo mio y muchas gracias por seguir deleitandonos con su obra.

Un abrazo.

Interesting lighting effect Kelvin. Sure makes her look like a real doll. And her stare is like they all said 'unreal'. Original style. I'd use layers and play a bit more with dodging and burning.

Un long processus que seul l'amour de la photographie peut produire. Tu es un artiste Kelvin, un vrai.

 

You are also passionate. The way you described your work conveys a loving care for all the steps. My friend: with certainty, you reached a higher grade in photography. Marvellous work!

 

Thierry

She is beautiful and you have done her justice with your photographic skills. I know how important it is to have someone that you feel comfortable with because it show in your work and that bond can make magic happen. Rapport is everything.

Regards Anthony

Very well done, Kelvin, the color, lighting and contrast, incredible!

Well not much to say, rather routine for Kelvin (as usual excellent image, perfect light, spinning colors and tremendous tones, oh and excellent model too). A guy to bookmark. Greetings Kelvin

Excellent! Ivana

I have very great respect for your portrait work, this is a very good example of that , the lighting here , details and skin tone are all perfect

 

 

 

Wishing you all of the best my friend

Fantastico.

This image is full of amazing textures...