thinking

thinking...

 

comments or critiques on the workings of a 14 year old.

 

comment or critiques on the picture. :)

 

what are YOU thinking?

I have done it several times for a couple of people and they seem to really like it. You have to have the right light and the right shading on the portrait itself. It has to be a good picture and it is what I consider my style of picture. I feel that I am getting to the point of mastering these types of pictures and would love feeback on it.

This reminds me of the effect that I used to see obtained with high contrast 4x5 recording film, more of a graphic rendition. I note that despite the loss of detail the mood is either maintained or possibly even heightened. A very reflective expression. As regards the validity of manipulation. This sort of thing has been going on since the advent of photography and is not new to PS. People were using high contrast film, solarizing prints etc. back in the wet darkroom. I think it is perfectly valid to use whatever tools are available to make your artistic statement. Just a couple of initial thoughts.

A very soft and tender photo, Micki, with just enough retained detail to allow her eyes to communicate. You do these pieces so well.

I, too, think it's a valid manipulation, a way for you to pursue your vision.

 

I think you capture a quiet softness which the charcoal-like rendition feels appropriate to.

 

The bashful eyes, the softness of the mouth are demur, unlike how I typically think of you but how you have described yourself at times. It's a side of you that is compelling and very different than what comes out in some of your more blatant self portraits.

 

I particularly like the hair on the right side of the image, the way the streaks of white suggest the texture and feel.

 

The brownish toning doesn't work for me, especially in areas around the nose and the upper lip. It feels smudgy.

 

On my monitor, the gray matt, since it doesn't match the tone on the face, feels off.

 

I like the crop a lot. A portrait has such vertical sense to it, so the horizontal crop provides an interesting balance and an added unique perspective.

 

This type of work is not my thing in terms of photography, so please take my comments in that light. I feel like I'm not critiquing a photograph but a somewhat different medium which I am less fluent in.

Wet rooms and such. I so want to know more and have tried to understand how the technique worked back then. The high key stuff etc... I have worked hard at trying to combine both and still capture art/photography and make it a happy medium. Thank you for making me feel like I'm not leaving photography behind. :)

 

Jeff, you are always seeing the emotion and that always makes me feel so good! ;)

 

Fred, I tricked you. This is the daughter. Didn't think I could fool you but I guess she is starting to look a bit like me when she is a pensive. hmmm

 

Didn't even notice it till you said something. My bother was even fooled the other day when I showed him a picture. I do agree with you about the nose but it is so hard to fix it when it is reduced on PN. The compression does that. I assure you it is fine on the big picture. I still haven't decided if I will go SEPIA or go B&W yet and left the tone just as it is. I think not that you have said something I might have to consider other tones. I will wait for other critiques.

 

I didn't crop it. It was this way when I took it. I saw it as is and felt that it was perfect. She was looking at something and I just snapped it. She actually has on LOTS of makeup and was going out to a Halloween party. Her face is actually blue tinted.

When I talk about "crop," I am talking about the framing, whether caught in the camera or made that way afterward. I wasn't suggesting that you "cropped" it, just that I liked the orientation as is.

 

You did fool me. Wonderful likeness!

and silly me I am thinking about crop tool. See, I still don't know much about the camera. :)

Back in the days of the dinosaurs I used to work as a stat camera operator and filmstripper-- basically preparing artwork and photographic material for the printing industry. Sometimes I forget how long ago that was ( and how old I am ) so it's no surprise that I lost you with my antiquated references. My point was only that the ideas are the same the tools just vary with time.

I'm looking and looking and looking, and liking and liking and liking, and as hard as I look I can't come up with anything I'd change or don't like about this picture. Oh, alright, I would use a different matt color, but that's so secondary. The image is at once compelling, lovely, innocent, serious, thoughtful as you suggest, and there's almost a sad quality... almost. This is far and away my favorite of your self portraits. I'd be please to have this hanging on my wall! Regards, David

I was doing publishing in the 80's on mac's so I understand. People look at me and go WOW they had computers back then. HA

I love what you do with your manipulations too. Like Fred, it's not really my thing either but I sure do envy you knowing how to do it so well. They're so artistic. Nice job.

I recognised this as your daughter the first second I saw it. After all, your last submission was of your daughter. Flattering however to be mistaken for your daughter this many times in a row.I also remember well another shot of your daughter with quite an opposite mood on the go :)

Oh, my! I need my eyes examined for sure! Actually, I "decided" the youthful look was due to your PS work. Well, everything ELSE I said is still true... I think... isn't it? It really is a wonderful picture.

 

Gordon, I'm showing *my* age that I did understand your references. I was running my office on an Apple ][ in 1980!

Wow, very nice work here. I think this is fantastic Micki!

Micki, I like the manipulation you did here. Leaving enough details to call it a portrait. The face and gaze are feeling as looking inside,( so the title is compatible) and it leaves enough "work" to the viewer's immagination.

Very nice expession Micki.

Pensive mood and a beautiful portrait of your lovely daughter. Blessings from Virginia, Rebekah B.

Hey Micki, you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind, with your great portraits. I've noticed something - your daughter has eyes that look so similar to my 11 yr old's. And I think she has the same nose as well! The effect you have used in PS works well for this portrait, and I like the toning too as it gives the image some nice warmth. Composition - just the way I like it.

 

Now if you get the chance.....have a look here http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=6566853 !

 

Cheers :))

Pete

I like this image a lot

 

Regards

A beautiful pensive expression. Very soft and dreamy. Wonderful!