Untitled

A valuable lesson I learned this week is camera height in relation to its resulting point of view.

Standard North American bathroom sink height is about 32" which I imagine is similar in Europe. This is about the camera height here yet somehow not perceived as being so low. I tried composing at this height and boy, it was awkward and unnatural with a dSLR, either hand-held or tripod mounted. I imagine it was equally awkward for Selina unless she is unusually petite. Regardless, I think the point of view probably contributed significantly to the perceived aesthetics yet made completely transparent.

Sorry to be dominating the thread but I would like to add a comment about the color cast which I find quite unnatural.

The blue cast as submitted is certainly popular these days. I see it in movies and commercial work frequently, and my first experienced with it was here on Pnet many years ago with Rene Asmussen's work .

Was this image made "better" by its application? I can't answer that, but did try to reverse engineer it to what I believe to be near-original colors for discussion.

Here's an attempt at a softer and hopefully more elegant rendering.

Very nice image. My compliments to the photographer. As for the WHITE THING in the mirror, My guess is that its a shirt being worn by the photographer or someone at their right side. There's also a small glass (shot glass?) in the mirror, maybe on a shelf behind the person in the white shirt. The camera appears to be pointing perpendicularly to the wall the mirror is on, so the reflected area would be to the right of the camera.
Anyway, good work Selina, it's a very pretty image.

Excellent blue light, composition, pose and deep feeling. Well done..!

 

Ricardo

I like the overall feel of this photo. I wasn't sure about the blue cast at first, but it grew on me. I think that the blue cast contributes to the overall mood of the photo. I did also like the corrected colors that Michael Chang presented. I suppose that the original intent would dictate the choice. The stuff in the mirror I don't mind. I see a towel or robe hanging on the wall, a partially finished drink and what appears to be the doorway. I kind of like that. It adds secondary interest to the image after absorbing the main scene. It makes me wonder what is beyond the door. I would have maybe liked the towel or robe to be a lttle smaller, less intrusive. I don't like how the sink is cropped off on the right side. I would prefer to see less of the towel rack and the whole of the sink. Just my opinion. Well done as a whole. Good work!

 

I don't mind the cast removed version either, but I agree that it changes the mood greatly - and even the subject matter, to some point. As we can see thanks to Michael's post, removing the cast "breaks" the picture in 2 distinct areas - white or mildly blue areas on one hand, and brown aereas on the other hand. This directly means: less unity. Less unity is not necessarily a bad thing as long as the picture's structure is not based on more than 2 (or at most 3) main colors; but less unity results, as we can probably all feel in this case (?), in an image where the bath tub and sink (and towels) frame the model, and where these 3 (4) elements are no longer really integrated in the room. The blue color cast was part of what made us feel, that the model was really "at home" in HER environment, and her pose was as gracious and of the same color as the place, and that's why, I think, we felt she was living in this magic world. Once the cast removed, imo, she no longer belongs so strongly to the place.
As for the "softer version", I think it's worse because it also removes part of the mystery simply because it removes also part of the darkness.
And regarding the crop proposed by Dave, I think it fails because a picture isn't just equal to its main subject, and because this spacious room was part of the story here. Elegance and luxury ("le luxe" in French, not sure whether my translation is right ?) need space and can't be boxed up. The same goes for freedom, ease and well-being - all associated with spacious places... and so, no tight crops allowed here, I'd say...
Lastly, I think it's a very interesting discussion we are having, and the way I look at it, that's because it will perhaps allow some of us to realize what was really good about this picture, and why it worked as a complete set-up - just as posted by the photographer. Sometimes, those who are not so well versed in this kind of set-up photography and/or who have not been immersed in advertising set-up photography will have trouble realizing what makes a great shot in this category of work. I hope the above explantions I tried to propose will convince some of you, and if that's not the case, well, never mind. It's just the way I see it anyway. Cheers.

Marc, I generally "feel" the same way as your analysis of the picture. However, what is interesting to think about, for me, is to ask if this picture would have been chosen by the elves had it been posted without the color cast, and if chosen, a comment adding this exact color cast would have enjoyed unanimous embrace as the right thing to do. We'll never know, unfortunately.

You are 21 and have already mastered a light, a whole concept and idea. It looks to me that you created so original advertising set-up photograph that has to sell their product - a bathroom.
I wouldn't change a thing here. The blue cast gives a notion of relaxation. Blue is perfect for the bathroom. The model is like a living doll here. I guess that the purpose of the model was an imitation of a doll. It simply looks more interesting than showing a celebrity models in studio, where usually the focus of interest is on their faces and less on the product.
7/7.

Excellent

"to ask if this picture would have been chosen by the elves had it been posted without the color cast"
No idea... but does it really matter, in fact ? Meaning: isn't any work of art - or commercial art -, any image in fact, even a painting, to be considered in its entirety, as a whole, as presented...? For me, a picture isn't complete till I've done a print of its final version. Best regards.

When I first looked at the image, my eye was drawn immediately to the white thing in the mirror which was, as has been pointed out a distraction. But after that it felt like partaking in a visual feast. The overall colour tone, the model and the fixtures complemented each other so well, I think that any displacement of any of the elements would diminish this piece of art. I notice that like some other photos in Selina’s portfolio, the use of the delineating vertical line is in use here. I think it is a very powerful form, but it looks almost slightly overdone in this composition.

I would also like to comment on the superb quality of the comments made by the other contributors here. They have certainly provided me with an assist on the ever-broadening learning curve. Thank you

everything in this image seems arbitrary. I can't see anything being communicated. Just a pretty girl in a pretty room with pretty lighting, not much else.

"I can't see anything being communicated. Just a pretty girl in a pretty room with pretty lighting"

Then "prettiness" is communicated to you... ;-)

Great response, Nestor! As Ralph Waldo Emerson said: "if eyes were made for seeing, Then beauty is its own excuse or being"

I have spent about 20 different, separate views of this image, spending 1 to 2 minutes each time ‘taking in’ this photo. I have not read any other comments that have been posted. I find that my eye is immediately drawn to the right, where the mirror is, with the stark white object. My attention goes down to the sink, which the left corner is white, contrasting sharply to the rest of the sink. The ‘eye’ then follows into the left side of the photo, where I begin to take on the whole image. In my opinion, I find all elements in the author’s composition Perfection! I find the low-key hues of blue, the lighting and contrast are Exceptional! I can not find any fault in this Beautiful, Captivating Work of Art!!! In closing, Selina’s photo is absolutely Stunning! VERY Well Done, Selina! Regards, Glenn.

The whole conception is excellent.Very nice and sharp details on the surfaces, especially in the mirror and the bath taps.The girl has a playful and pretty pose without any sexual hints.The lights are set well making a sensual photo.The blue hue i think is very suitable for bathroom photos, although i wouldn't say no to a warmer version.Best wishes

Magnificent photo in every possible way. The divider in the center is disturbing and imho makes the picture. Without it the photo would be just another artsy photo the like of which photographers trying to emulate art output at astonishing rates. The models size is perfect as the Scene.. not the model is the focus. This is art.. not a product shot or a model port. The colors are perfect and all the "fixed" shots are bland , boring and wouldnt have gotten a second glance from any of us. I understand why the white in the mirror bothered some of you. IMHO only photographers will notice that in a negative way. It is a splash of light in the pallet of the scene and seen as part of the whole pallet is a positive element in the photo though maybe a technical mistake. The crops remind me of amateur photographers who zoom in tight on the faces and body parts their minds focus on rather than doing what photographers do and capture context. It is a work of art. A painting in light... not a catalog of objects within a light range.

This photo imho cant be improved and is a masterpiece. As for the comment about this could be professional quality this is far far far above the quality of many or most professional photos ive seen. Most importantly of all it is Original. We all know you can look through the ports of most of the "top" photographers and their copiers and see a thousand of the same standard, though artsy, looking photo. This is a light painting and a masterful one.

i would not call this a masterpiece. however, it is immensely impressive. the cyan tinge adds a dreamlike nuance. i like the composition and the idea. it is well expressed and the result is pleasing.

Amazing image, great detail. I think what I love about this shot is the use of color. Keep up the good work...;-)

Fantastic! Stunning! There is everything right with this photo, a unique image BUT I am put into contradiction - 'Lonely' - nothing here speaks about loneliness.

i agree with Howard Stein. what is the intention of the photographer? What is it about the photo that the photographer discovers? is she trying to make art or is it for an advertising portfolio? it's a start but there's work to be done.

Lovely shot ! Like the blue tones, the model pose, a great one ! Congrats,

Fernand

Ein wunderbares Bild, es lässt sehr viel Raum für Phantasie und Träume.

Kestrel

sublime