Kristi in a Straw Hat

Please critique.

Yes, the tones are overdone, but I still think there is a lot of potential here: the skin tone and blue are about opposite colors, the blues have harmony, the pose is excellent and there is a positive ambience. Get the skin tone right and it would work as a product shot too. Anyway, I like it - even with over saturation/over contrast.

I would reccomend seriously her legs not to mention ditching the kitchy blue background. This photo is nothing more than an amature catalog. Further, the long white nails with this simple summer dress and the hat look tacky. If you are going for a light summer look, keep it light and summery.

Odd... I was just about to say that I thought the blue dress against the blue background was kind of funky... but each unto their own, I guess.

 

The skin tones look fine to me... I like your lighting. There is a slight hot patch on her cheek, but nothing you can't fix easily in PS. The legs could definately use some smoothing/blur to fix the pixelation(?) that appears present... but I am wondering if this is purely an artifact of scanning?

 

Regards, Andrew.

Hi M Barbu,

 

maybe we are crossing lines here... to me fixing a hot patch or some pixelation is very different from fixing skin tones. So we have different opinions, is that such a big deal? I'm sure all of us can offer things that Michael can take away from the thread...

Thanks for the comments on this photo. Some of the critiques really made me grin. Especially the one about "kitschy blue background", hells bells I worked my butt off for days painting that background in the middle of a cold Michigan winter. Frankly, I really like that background. I do not think of it as vulgar, crude, pretentious, or worthless i.e. kitschy. Now, as for the skin tones of my model I must admit there is work needed here and with the help of Photoshop it could be much improved, that's for sure. I do love the honesty and respect those who offer sincere "how to" as to how to improve any of my photos. When nothing is offered to substantiate a negative critique as to concrete examples for improving it I dismiss the individuals snipings as though it were from someone with even less photographic knowledge than I or at least someone who is overly petty and insignificant in there ability to inspire respect for their opinions.

Thanks,

Michael

 

Yup, I totally agree, between the dress and background there really is not much of a difference in their colors. The model showed up at my home with the blue denim dress and was adamant that it be taken with said blue background as opposed to white, black, or tan which were my other options. Now, as for your suggestion vis-a-vis desaturating either the background or the dress I think this is a terrific idea. I am going to do so as soon as my right hand is functioning and operational. Had the darn thing fused on 5-20-05 and will be in an assortment of casts for some time. BTW, I seldom see people willing to suggest ways of tweaking or improving photos, I am grateful to you for your time and willingness to share some of your expertise. Well done and very classy on your part. I wish more members were as kind and generous with their knowledge when offering critiques. God knows I could use all the help I can get. Thanks again,

 

Michael

Nice use of color.