Hot and Cold in Black and White

 

I don't often take photos in natural light! However, the new year looms and perhaps I should try new things!

 

Feedback appreciated.

Great picture with nice lights..

There are a lot of faults in this photo, burned out areas, the hand that is possibly not ideally positioned, a somewhat weird line coming down the hairline to the right etc ... but then, I try to look beyond these obvious faults that any photographer of your calibre is perfectly aware of without me pointing them out, and to wonder why the author is showing us this picture.

 

Indeed, I see a charming composure by an attractive model with a delightful smile, and I more than sympathise with your wish to include it in your portfolio, despite the absence of what some will feel is any artistic value. Personally, I like the photo, bravo.

 

That doesn?t mean that I agree with every thing that the two of you do. I do recognize that your skill is far ahead of my own. I lack that sense of art that you both have. David, your sense of humor is cruder than Johns but your art is just as valid. I love the sense of tenderness that this picture has. John, learn to take criticism with less offence. You may find that even in the ranting of the fanatics there is sometimes a valid opinion. I look forward to seeing the work that you both produce in 2008. Happy New Year!

I like this portrait very much. I wonder why you don't shoot in natural light more often. I believe the result is a natural softness that you just can't get with "artificial" light. Good Job.

A thought on the debate that is going on as a part of this posting... I try to point out the positives, as I see them, when writing comments on postings. I try to give a "what if" suggestion to the photographer instead of pointing out what I see as flaws. Many comments that I read in this forum tend to point out what is wrong rather than make solid suggestions on how, I the writers opion, the photo could be made better. I like it when someone else makes a suggestion on one of my postings because it makes me look at my work with a different eye.

And isn't that the real purpose of this site to begin with? Not to tear down, but build up.

Patrick, Thanks for your kind words. It would appear not everyone agrees with you.

 

John, Thanks for stopping by. Firstly to the issues with this particular image. I have to be honest and say I don't think it is out of focus. I think the blur you see was probably caused by camera movement but your point is valid. If I remember correctly, the focus was on her right eye.

 

I do not particularly like the grotesquely burned out area in this image myself. It is a feature of the image and I reflected that in the title of the image. If you don't like it, then we agree.

 

The hand doesn't bother me in this particular image. Cut of limbs do usually bother me but in this case it doesn't as it is clearly not a feature of the image. I know that sounds weak but it is how I see it. Also the hand is clearly moving although that may not be so obvious since the photograph is 'out of focus.'

 

I do not like the line to the left of her head but at least it is vertical.

 

I am pleased you like this photograph in spite of its faults. My own feeling about this image is one of uncertainty. As I say in my p.net bio, I have never been a good judge of how my images are received by others and that is why I post them here. My most successful image on this site is one that I am not particularly fond of.

 

I do have issues with some of what you say. Often I used to be one of the first to comment on your photographs. You did email me and ask me to stop commenting on your images. I do not look for them any more. I comment on them when I come across them and when I think I have anything interesting to say. With so many of your postings, the comments are often more entertaining than the images themself. It may be for this reason that I comment a little later than most. I think this a point you will possibly disagree on. That said, I feel the words extended by you on this image of mine stretch beyond what the image is worth although I do not think that was the point you were making.

 

'Fighting fire with fire...' I just don't get that John. The negative points you have made here are valid. I don't agree with them all entirely but no one can argue that any of the points you have made are invalid. I welcome them. No doubt I will continue to take bad pictures and when I do so, I hope someone will come along and shoot me down in flames. I do often get positive comments on photographs I think are OKish and I usually respond with comments like, 'Perhaps not great but it is kind of you to say so.' Indeed John, I often know some of my images are not so good.

 

I now feel at a bit of a loss. I feel you want to make a point but the point is irrelavant.

 

Anyway! Thanks for taking the time to comment. All the best to you in this new year. Do feel free to stop by anytime.

 

Steve, Maybe it is my hangover, but I don't understand your comment.

 

Gary, Your comment is appreciated. I do still take photographs that display my sick sense of humour. Sadly they would be deemed to extreme for this site. John is undoubtedly more of a gentleman than I ever will be.

 

John, I have to be honest and say I don't get this 'sense of bitterness' thing you keep mentioning. The simple fact is you post some (for want of a better word) crap. The comments the crap attracts are often simply hilarious. You accuse me of calling the people who give positive comments of your crap photos stupid. They are not stupid they are simply encouraging you because you post pictures of beautiful women. Maybe you believe the comments they give are because you are so fantastic. Good luck to you if that is the case. As I have said before, I am the little boy who shouted out, 'The Emporer's got no clothes!'

 

Paul. The reasons I probably don't shoot in natural light more often are pointed out by John above. That said I should take your encouragement to heart and try. I do have one or two more images from this shoot ready for posting. I am not sure when I will upload them. Differences of opinion are what makes this site interesting. How we express those differences also differs. I do hear what you are saying Paul.

I, too, wonder why you don't shoot more with available/natural light. I think with a light source like we see here, the photographer doesn't so much control the light as learn to work with what's there. I think it was Ansel Adams who said we should expose for the shadows and develop for the highlights. Of course, with digital (which I'm guessing this is), it's a bit harder to do, since digital doesn't have the same dynamic range as film. It's entirely too easy to blow out highlights with digital. I do the same thing much too often.

Anyway, this is a good effort on your part, in my opinion. I'm sort of glossing over the blown highlights and looking more at the depth of field, the details, and the overall effect of the photo. I like the languidness of the shot, the sense of naturally relaxing in the light coming in through a window maybe. It has a sensuality to it.

And it appears the young lady has a tattoo. Will we see more of it...and of her?

Overall, I like the shot, and hope you will do more along this line. In b&w, of course.

Great composition, perfect lighting

I too like the relaxed pose and expression your model has adopted. The DOF IMHO is just right. Happy New Year!!

John, Thanks again for stopping by. I am glad you did not remove your previous comments. They are always welcome. I am also glad you like this crap image of mine. (It's not my best!) Please do not forget, I like many of your images, just not the crap ones.

 

I have to be honest, I don't know the lesson you were trying to teach me. This is probably more my stupidity than any failing you might have. I tried Latin at school for a while but it was all Greek to me. We have exchanged so many words over the years that maybe some of them have been forgotten. However, I will recap on a few items.

 

1. I like verticals to be vertical.(It is OK if they are not, as long as it looks deliberate.)

2. I like horizontals to be horizontal.(It is OK if they are not, as long as it looks deliberate.)

3. I don't like blown out portions of images. (Including what you see in this image.)

4. I don't like messy or akward distractions. (Like the vertical you see in this image.)

5. I don't like cut off limbs unless it looks deliberate. (As illustratged in my latest upload.)

 

If I have missed anything out, I do apologise.

 

Jim, I guess we should all try new things. As mentioned above, I do have other shots of from this session which I may post later. I guess you probably like the shot for the same reason John likes. I genuinely thank you both. As I write this I am wondering if John's lesson was / is even a bad shot can be good. I don't know.

 

As for her tattoo. I will see what I can do.

 

Antanas, Perhaps you are being a little too kind but thank you anyway.

 

BP, Maybe you have hit the nail on the head. It is the girl that is the star here.

Ok David,I feel that this has gone on long enough now. I prefer to revert now to my usual self and to remove all the unecessary elements in our exchange above, leaving only the essence of my message which is that glamour photography essentially needs glamorous components and does not necessairly have to comply with the same strict criteria that many other works are judged by in order to be appreciated. The above photo is a good example. This does not mean that only the person in the picture is of interest, it is the way in which she is portrayed that matters, and very often pictures produced of attractive models are horrendous as you know. I guess artistic nudes should be looked at more critically, though even there sometimes it can be the beauty that is the major focus of attention.

 

At any rate, the charm is oozing out of the photo above, and I would be delighted if you show more pictures of this kind. This is glamour which is a respected and valid addition to photography. It is particularly nice to see it when it is done with taste as above. I cannot conceive of myself or anyone else accusing you of just posting pretty girls. It is an art to portray them with such grace and elegance.

 

That being said, I do not find it elegant ever to refer to a fellow photographer's work as crap, particularly when other photographers of equal value to yourself may say they like the images in question. It is insulting not only the author but to the other viewers too. It is also gratuitous, contributes nothing positive to a critique and it does not comply with the camaraderie that is prevalent on this site.

 

Have a good year with lots of happy shooting. John

 

Thanks again for stopping by! I am more than a little disappointed that you removed some of your comments but that is your choice.

 

Whether you believe me or not, all I have ever wanted is to encourage you to take better photographs. I have never referred to your images as 'crap' on your own pages and I never will. Perhaps there has been a lot of misunderstanding between us. I am disappointed about this but life goes on.

 

I continue to admire what you do. I just wish you would sometimes get better results than you do. I am sorry you cannot see my underlying passion in my words.

 

I don't take anything seriously John. This is a simple internet site where people post images (most of which are 'crap') and hope others will boost there ego. My ego is certainly big enough and I suspect yours is too. I honestly welcomed your harsh critique of this photograph. It deserved it. Since you like this type of image, I will dedicate a similar image to you. Should you object to it, I will remove it.

 

You remain in my eyes, one of the most respected people on this site, but please understand I say what I see and I do so in uncertain terms.

 

I wish you all the best John. Please do feel free to drop by my pages and please do be as honest as you like. I truly welcomed your honest criticism of this image and am tickled that in spite of these criticisms you still like it. Thanks a lot.

Ha ha .. ok David, but it reminds me of an explanation given to a parent by one of two kids. He say's yes dad, I called Jim an idiot in the locker room but I didn't in the pantry ... :-) Have a good start to the New year now. And look forward to seeing the photo! John

I love the gleam in her eye David and not just the specular highlight either. She seems genuinely happy and you have captured that spark. I am charmed.

She was / (is) charming. I would love to photograph her again. Thanks.