Duality

Really a great, original image as others have said. It would be very interesting to know just how you captured this image.

In a case like this, I do think knowing what the photographer intended might make some sense--mostly because I don't see much here conceptually. I also say this because it does feel more like a commercial shot and generally even those should be visually clear, but sometimes the headline adds a special edge to the image.

The action is interesting, but I don't find the image very well done as to the lighting--and also feel that lighting may be an area where Daniel could focus a bit more, especially for larger sets. I think a more refined lighting of the set, including the darker areas behind the woman as well as the blocked up shadows, would have helped this image immensely. The black in the background and the lack of separation just makes this feel a bit more amateurish than the subject might lead one to believe. The set seems a bit sparse and that, sorry, pathetic plant just doesn't do it for me. It just seems that this shot demands a large palm or something to warm up the set and introduce some life into the shot. Overall, because of the lighting and the set dressing, the shot feels rather sterile and cold to me. The composition also feels a bit loose which might make some sense if there were going to be a headline and/or copy in those large empty areas.

Anyway, I can appreciate the action and the skill to get that and it is certainly a valiant effort for someone getting going in all this.

Hi guys thanks a lot for the input and comments. The two subjects are both Natalie and they're both really in those positions. I took three shots, one of which was just a clean plate without the mat on the ground, and comped them. I agree in part about the lighting John in terms of lack of separation or perhaps depth, but I don't think I would brighten the shadows as I think they're part of the picture. The picture is called Duality so the shadows and light, free flowing and uniformed, glamourous and masked are all part of it, including the dying plant. One of my favorite paintings is Rembrandt's "A Philosopher in Meditation", so I took inspiration a bit from the yin yang themes in that picture. The main intent of the pic is promotion. Natalie is looking to be sponsored so the idea is to show her as being salable both as an athlete and as a personatalie.
Regards,
Danny

Daniel, I am not normally one to crop someone else's image, but I thought if I could work the image a bit, I might be able to explain my thoughts a bit more. So, I am posting a bit of a redux here below. I was hoping there was a bit more to get behind the woman and in the shadow, but I was able to open it up a bit at the top and cut down on the empty space. I do feel that a shot done for an ad and one displayed do need to be different if the original has excess space for copy or headlines, otherwise the image looks like you just shot it too loose--in otherwords, no words filling the space, the space should be modified.

I also think the shadow, only opened a bit here, just helps to warm up the image. The Rembrandt piece you referred to has a very rich setting that allows the heavy darks to work (nothing lost) whereas this setting is neither rich nor warm, so you have to make it so by taking away the starkness. As to your comment about the plant, I don't understand how it plays into your concept, but it is your concept. I just think something in the shot to give it substance other than the bare stairway would have served you well.

So, here I opened up the area above her head and around the umbrella a bit (and the shadows only slightly), I warmed up the color balance quite a bit and obviously cropped in. It wouldn't be my final, but I think it moves things in a good direction. (Oh, and I cloned the staircase on the left side of the image.)

sorry, uploaded the wrong image--here is the warmer one

Hey John thanks for the suggestions and going through the trouble to make your ideas clear! To be honest I don't really like any of the changes haha. Feels cramped on the left, and cropping the bottom makes it feel like she's not falling as far imo. Also the extra space everywhere makes the environment seem more convincing to me. It makes it feel more like a mansion. I didn't want to copy rembrant's tones or style just a couple little ideas. For me, warming up the image prevents Natalie, who has naturally warm skin tones, from standing out. She's meant to be the star and the warmer pic makes her less of a focus imo. In the original you can see all those background shadows bright and clear, I just like them very dark as it simplifies the photo a lot. I wanted simple geometry in the pic and not too much to distract from the main subjects. Cloned staircase definitely works better in your crop, not sure it's necessary in mine as I don't find the railing distracting when you can see all of it. Anyway, further proof that this stuff is purely subjective! Thanks for the detailed input.
Regards,

Danny

It's good to see a photographer actually replying to comments and critiques!

Well, fresh and vigorous it definitely is, Daniel. I don't see how the IOC could fail to notice this one of the two Natalies. Touche' to you and your glamorous fencer and say we wish her the best of luck.

Knowing that this is a photo shoot with a specific purpose for Natalie, a collegiate champion fencer, makes all the difference in the world for me. I guess I'm one of those poor, bound, serious souls who needs to see a reason and who doesn't want to dwell on something completely whimsical. I really do admire the thought behind the photo as well as Daniel's execution of that intention.

The moment is priceless.  Original and Creative.  Fantastic Photography.

Ed Richter

At first it's a very nice image. The dark upper region could be used for text. That would be it.
Looking closer however shows the shadows are not that natural (light from above or from the right)
The falling one seems to fall unnatural from stairs (more jumping backwards then falling)
The cropped versions by 'John A' do show already some simple (photographic) improvements.
Still the image is a nice one as long as the image is not taken seriously and I guess no one will do that.

I like the composition and the title.For me,this shot is the same as playing chess!You should be careful about being mate!Its hard for you to make a right decision.Actually,life is like this.
Good shot.
Regards(Bobby).

……guys.  Appreciate the feedback!  Steve the basic process was, I took three shots, one for each of the subjects (both natalie) and one clean plate with no mat on the ground.  Then comped them in PS.  Did all my tone, color changes etc.  It was actually very simple, but the comping process can be quite tedious where they overlap, or where I'd removed objects behind the subject, like a painting on the wall for example.  It was easier to have her jump in position like this, rather than just a green screen or something, so that the shadows on the stairs are real.  It's harder to fake shadows on uneven surfaces.

Cheers,

Danny

duplicat

"It's good to see a photographer actually replying to comments and critiques!"

Although I think the nature of a photograph will affect the volume of responses, I actually think that having anything other than objective clarifications by the photographer too early actually can pretty much kill the conversation. Not knowing how the person who created the work is responding to the comments allows more to feel free to disagree and debate with each other's comments--which I find much more interesting. I think we have seen some great discussions over images because of this.

There is a saying that once something is defined, it no longer lives. In some ways, I think that is what happens in a discussion like this--we all just have opinions, which are all valid, but once the photographer weighs in, then we are all wrong (unless we agree with them). Anyway, I say this with all due respect to Daniel as I believe, whether I agree or not, that he is the only person whose opinion really matters in the final analysis. I just have seen discussions pretty much die after the photographer participates too heavily, as appears has happened here.

Artistic & very original. I like this a lot. Though, I have to say the cropped version holds a slight edge

Stick with the version you've got! Everything you stated in response to the alternative presented holds true. It's a much stronger image the way it is!

Daniel, you have managed to make sport of fencing almost interesting, even exciting.
What a dull business the actual thing is for spectators. No Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone affair on staircases, as in the movies , when one watches a sport fencing match. My opinion only,but of course.

Beautiful commercial shot - and I'm guessing Natalie would be very happy with it as it shows her potential. It doesn't sit entirely comfortably for me as a standalone shot as I feel her face lacks a little "commitment" - for me it would need to be a little more fierce around the eyes - but as an advert or promo shot for the model then it's works fantastically! I like the cooler tones of the original too....

an excellent work.
i think light, color and composition wise the original version is perfect.
there are very much (maybe too much) composite images these days, many of them are trash, most of them are falling already at the technical part. i find this one technically perfectly done, well thought and great use of light. also great idea and background choice. it is an outstanding image, even from artistic point of view.

sharp pic.goodbye gravity

Think this is an excellent piece of art.

It is a great shot, I like it a lot... I would replace the dead plant however, I find it to be the weakest part of the picture. Instead I would use a lush green one, perhaps same height as in picture, or a bit taller.
Also I prefer the original framing, looks like it was cropped [or most likely originally framed that way in camera] to just include the umbrella on the left, and just include the right on the right -- I think that's great framing. I don't agree with the cropping that tighter, it takes away the tile pattern which I think works [to be left in the picture], and i would not cut the plant in half with cropping.
Depending on the size, that cropping suggestion would make it look even worse, i think if it's printed in 16x20 or more, you would absolutely not be wanting to cut the plant in half.

Thanks for all the input guys! I agree Robert about the plant being the weakest part and the cropping. I'd like to see a different plant there or perhaps nothing just to compare a bit more objectively rather than just imagining, I'll see if I can do something in PS. I'd love to see this printed. I've been wanting to try out 20x30 prints of some of my photos but I'm not sure if they can hack it as they're just 6mp files. Perhaps with proper upsizing they'll be acceptable - I'm a total newbie with printing.
Best,

Danny