Beautiful

Comments and Improvements

 

Ger..

Great tones in this Ger!

 

Nice seperation in the eyes... Not easy to do with dark eye like hers. You've obviously been listening well to what Fred has been telling you!

 

Great job!

Cheers Darren,

 

Yea I pay close attention to Fred, I'd love to be able to see stuff the way he can. I try to read his comments on other images as well, I find them a great education.

 

Ger..

Ger-- This is one of your more intriguing photos, both because of the unique expression and the great setup. This really has the potential to be like a Hollywood glamour shot, in the best way. I say that because it feels like I'm looking at a young Esther Williams or some such old Hollywood star, yet you've preserved the innocence of the child. So you've got the best of both worlds here. Often, I don't like it when parents try to make their kids look too sophisticated or glamourous and that's why I love this shot. You've got the right elements and haven't been self-conscious or overreaching about it. It just comes off as totally natural. And it works beautifully both as a portrait and as a timeless photograph. My suggestion is, though, that it needs a little more post-processing work. More contrast in the right places without going too far. Hah! Easier said than done. Possibly slightly (very slightly) softer focus on her face. You've got some great lighting here that has the potential to be a little more dramatic and eye-catching, again without going too far and taking away the innocence which is so dear here. I'd think about making the towel a little more sensual, having a little more variety of tone and tonal range. A ps lighting filter used only on certain areas will help immensely. I'd think about making the background a bit darker to set her off more. There's a book I'd highly recommend and a specific photo I'm thinking of that could inspire you for this. I looked for a link to the photo on the Internet but haven't found one. I'll keep searching. The photo I have in mind is of Clara Bow, the silent film star, 1926, a promo portrait done by Eugene Richee (I've found a lot of others by him, but the one on page 61 of this book is the one I think of when I look at your photo). The Book is The Art of the Great Hollywood Portrait Photographers, edited by John Kobal. Anyway, Darren should also take a look at the book to see where my soft eye focus influence may come from!

Will do Fred. I'll check it out at the library, hopefully they have it there.

 

Thanks Fred.

okay, here's the photo I'm talking about. much better reproduction in the book I have than on the Internet, but should give you a general idea.

Once again, wow Fred..I'm going to try what you said with the shot now and talk later.

 

Ger..

Hi Fred,

 

I'm no where near eugene richee on this one but I have made the changes. I have added more contrast to the background. Softened the skin Made the robe more sensual and increased some of the shadow on it to give it more texture and depth. Let me know what you think. I'm going to see if I can get my hands on that book.. Ger..

1: are you using the history brush?

I think you went too far with the blur. (the face needed just a little bit--this feels too much--and it seems like you also blurred the rest, which didn't need it . . . you've lost some of the beautiful texture of the towel, especially on the left side of the photo, where the light is coming from)

2: still needs more facial contrast and try using a photoshop omni spot so that you fade the light away slowly from her face.

3: selectively use your burn tool, again subtlely to give the towel around her shoulders a bit more variety of tone.

I don't know how to use the history brush Fred!

Its almost 01:00 so time for bed, I'll have to try again tomorrow night..

Ger..

OK... I see where you are coming from... High contrast with still a dreamy soft focus look... It's interesting that you employ these techniques with male portraits... And mix them with clasical male portrait lighting (sorta).

 

Ger and I still have alot to learn, thank you for helping us.

Yea Fred, I second that.

Made a start on take II last night, never used that filter before, it has given much more depth to the face.

 

Ger..

Ohhhhh Ger... this is definitely an eye-grabber in every aspect. The expression, the tones, the overall composition. Just fantastic. Keep it up!