The Accidental Portrait

 

When the model saw this photograph, she liked it a lot. I have to say I quite like it myself. If only I had meant it!

 

Feedback appreciated.

FIRST RULE!!! If anyone says they like it, claim you did it on purpose!!!!

 

SECOND RULE!! Put a nice frame around it and double the price!!!!

 

THIRD RULE!!! Any lens flare, internal reflection, or dust mote in the flashbeam is really a UFO or photograph of a ghostly spirit. If you don't believe me, just try posting the photo on one of the UFO discussion forum sites with an appropriately creative story. In a day or two you will be on the cover of the tabloid news! *LOL* (this is not an accidental portrait, it is an abduction in progress!)

 

I like it too! Accident or not it is a good portrait.

Even though it was an accident, do you still remember how it happened? I'd love to know because the effect is excellent.

I'd prefer to see a slightly higher contrast to bring out the model a little more, but that's just MHO:

http://images4.fotop.net/albums2/teruphoto/Temp/5495800_ed.jpg

The technique for creating a lens flare like this is to position a bright light source aimed directly at the camera, but JUST outside the field of view of the lens. The reflection of this bright light source from the internal lens elements is what creates the flare. The exposure of any other subjects is subject to the same rules of ordinary exposure.

Michelle, 1 Of course I did this on purpose!!! I was just teasing!

 

2 Don't you like my frame? How much do you think this image is worth?

 

3 I disagree! Women are from Mars and this is a picture of a space ship dropping another one off! I thought as a woman you would have known that!

 

Teru, I like your treatment of my image more than the original. Being honest, yours is more like the way I printed it but yours still looks better. (What adjustments did you do?) Michelle has answered your question for me. The flash is pointed towards the camera and is fired remotely. Lighting the model was achieved by bouncing the flash of some white paper. I guess with experimentation you can 'tune' the process.

 

Thanks to you both.

Nothing complex, just adjusted the curves using a slight S curve (higher contrast, lower brightness), increased the color saturation a tad and applied an edge enhancement sharpness. It's my usual adjustment for shots with dark backgrounds (although depending on the mood of the photo, I sometimes decrease the color sat).

 

So, now that I've told you my oh-so-secret method, does that mean you'll introduce me to this lovely model :)

Hi Teru,

 

The model has the link to this page. I am sure if she wants to meet you her she will let you know!

David, are you familiar with the "flinch test" method of setting the price for a photograph? It goes like this...

 

Compute a price you think is fair, then double it and quote it to the buyer. If he does not flinch, add the price of the acid free matting. If he does not flinch, add the price of the frame. If he does not flinch, add the price of the ultraviolet reflective glass. (ALL glass except special flint glass filters ultraviolet rays)Keep adding features until the buyer flinches, then reduce the price by 10% and call it a "special price for a special client".

 

And BTW, MEN are from Mars, Women are from Venus!

Thank you Michelle. How does $25,000 sound?

 

Thanks also for putting me right on the planet issue. I always though I was from Pluto. (I am small and round!)