Marie - portrait of a dancer - 6 (digital alteration - best viewed larger)

this is indeed great. Looks like a version of Barbie. Anyway, great composition and light. I think the frame is too thick. Cheers, Micheal

Thanks Radu and Micheal, much appreciated.

 

There are two parts that I'm really pleased about with this image; the shadow leading in from the left and the 'velvety' skin tones.

 

Cheers,

Mike

It is a wonderful shadow/light dance Mike……The perfect light treatment, the eccentric composition and her pose and expression create an excellent artistic result with rich grey tones….my congrats.

Thank you Karolos! I’ve been an admirer of your style and talent for some time so your comments mean a lot.

 

All the best,

Mike

 

Mike, its fantastic looking. I don't know how you do it, but you do it well. The shadow and light is really perfect.

 

Holger

Thanks Holger I’m glad you liked it – the shadows and the light make it for me to.

 

As I’m just learning how to create images in a virtual 3d studio this one took me quite a long time.

 

I was originally inspired by a recent and very nice (nude) image by Ben Heys ( http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=10420436 ). The similarity is obvious; although, I decided to cover up the naughty bits of the model to seek a broader audience and monochrome worked better for mine.

 

It took me a long time to get the soft shadows the way I wanted on the vertical face of the background. And following this, while I was placing the strong sidelights, I noticed that if I did not set the lights low enough I got very deep shadows on the floor. I liked the effect and the resultant image grew from that.

 

I set the light from the left very near the floor to give only the ghost of a shadow to the right of the model and gradually raised the right hand sidelight until the shadow on the left of the image appeared as you see it now.

 

Because the light from the left was so low, the model’s face was not lit very well. A narrow focused spot light at the same height of the model’s face solved that and provided the modelling for her facial features.

 

A fill light at the camera position gave some definition to the deep shadows and a hair light finished off the lighting.

 

I’ve softened the image quite a bit in PS (semi-opaque (60%) sharpened layer on top of lens blurred layer) and then toned the b&w to a subtle shade of brown.

 

Thanks again

 

All the best,

 

Mike

 

I like your idea. Very good work. Regards.

Wonderful composition and use of lighting (goes to my favorites). Best regards, Daniela!

A piece of ART, Mike.

A very exotic image, with erotica extrarordinare presentation! Warm regards.

Thank you Oskar, Daniela, Pedro and Jorge for stopping by and for your kind words; they are much appreciated.

 

All the best,

 

Mike

 

So beautiful..

Thanks Valdimir!

 

Cheers,

 

Mike

For me, this image has instant appeal, there is a gentleness of form, a softness of light that is all encompassing and a smple pose that I find compelling in the surreal netherworld of the future.

 

Very well done Mike!

 

Regards

 

Alf

Shadows and light are wonderful in this as is the composition.

Thank you Alf and Birte for your thoughts and kind words.

 

All the best,

 

Mike

 

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And here is a version of the full image with Marie wearing less clothing ...

 

( warning nudity )

This works for me. I understand that you might have wanted to have a more 3d look but this is lovely. I might like to see just a bit of the light along the inside of her right arm but this is beautiful. 3d here would be difficult (especially in the smaller image) as there is no reference point beyond the model for the "lift".

Thanks Steve for you thoughts and observation about the lack of light on her right arm. I'll have another go to see if I can increase the light on her arm whilst still keeping the modelling in the shadows. Hopefully I post it back here soon.

 

Thanks again.

 

Cheers,

 

Mike

 

Following on from Steve's comment (on the lack of light on her arm), I've added an additional spotlight to shine on the inside of Marie's arm. Better do you think?

I'm very sorry Mike....don't know what's wrong with me.....I was sure I'd critiqued and rated this image...unless I'd started reading how you've been arriving at your end result....as I find it most fascinating....This new area for you is, although a labour intensive 'time' for you....I can imagine it must totally fascinate....and would be hard to keep away from getting back to your editing.

 

Taking on a new challenge.....conquering areas that cause frustration and re-editing....but finally 'getting it right"! must be so exciting. Congrats on this new venue, and I wish you much success...you deserve it............you've been there for me from the start......welcoming me to PN......I shall not forget your kindness....take care and ENJOY!!!! sincerely, Gail

Beautiful and gentle!

Thanks for stoping by again Gail; its always nice to hear from you. I am enjoying playing about within my virtual studio and I’m learning a lot about lighting in the process. Unfortunately I’ve not had time for much of anything besides work for the last month or so but I hope to get back to both taking photos and creating new CG works soon. Take care.

 

All the best,

Mike

 

Thanks Tatjana! I’ve been trying to think of the word that best sums up the feeling the image invokes for me and your word ‘gentle’ is the one I was looking for.

 

Kind regards,

 

Mike