Girl with Blonde Hair and a Smile, May 2007

My friend and I went a'shooting around the campus for about an hour.

How'd we do? (Aesthetically, I would have liked a different pair of

earrings, and a different necklace, but these were important to her.)

Ok, where to start....? :-) Firstly congratulations on a very nice title ! :-) Secondly, it appears you used a blurry layer at a fairly low opacity to soften the whole picture. Why not. I did this quite often in the past, now no longer, but I think it fits this particular portrait quite fine. Finally, let's makea last general observation: this is a true direct portrait that's about the person, not about symbols nor philosophy nor about photography. A pure, simple refreshing picture where the main subject is the main subject - hehe, that sounded good, didn't it ? :-) In short, that's the kind of portrait I hardly manage to shoot, that I hate to shoot, and that I try to avoid shooting - even with my kids or family. Yup, I know, it's sad, but that's just the way it is.

 

Now, let's go to what I like: the hairline's curve under what seems to be a mild wind is very beautiful, and her eyes are at the same time very nice, very natural despite looking really straight in the camera, AND, mostly, very clever. It's just nice to see cleverness - especially blue cleverness ! - in a natural and fairly unprepared photo: I'd say, it's quite rare.

 

As you said, ear rings and necklace, well, are not matched as well as her hair and eyes, but that was it. And my only real criticism here would be - again - that piece of green in the background, that takes a bit of attention away. I'd have prefered an all-white background, or possibly all-green, but the 2 third one third create a strong line behind her, which is not th ebest, I suppose. At the same time, one generally has very little time for such pictures, and you may have concentrated on the main subject, with no time to consider adjusting the background. And so be it - nothing serious there since I doubt you were planning that day to shoot the next exhibit at the Guggenheim museum... Or were you...? :-)

You are correct, sir. I used a thin blur layer to soften the whole picture, but erased completely most of her face from the blur layer. I'm not sure I understand what you mean by the blue cleverness, but I accept it as very high compliment. Thanks. Yes, too bad about the lack of columns on the left. And, yes, it's a sacrifice I had to make as we were shooting, moving slightly this way and that, when this beautiful wind kicked up from just the right direction and I put all my attention on her.

 

Well, maybe not the Guggenheim, but possibly her parent's wall.

My, my, Miss American Pie. Not too much trouble to rework the background if the important stuff is done right (and it is). ;-)

 

The right eye seems a tad duller than the left. Compulsive editing syndrome demands that you tweak that before making a print for the parents and the museum.

 

My only other question is - Where were these beautiful girls when I was going to school? I might have continued my education a while longer if they had looked as good as this.

Dennis, thank you. Do you mean her right eye, or the one on our right? I see a catchlight in her right.

 

As for your final comment: indeed, college isn't what it used to be.

P.S: By "blue cleverness" I was as usual unsuccessful while trying humor in English. :-) I just meant clever blue eyes, which is cleverness dressed in blue, which is blue cleverness...:-))) But don't tell the Guggenheims, ok ? :-)))

Yes; our right, her left.

 

"On Belay!"

 

"What?"

 

"Falling!"

 

"What?"

 

"FALLLLIIINGGG!!!"

 

"Whoops."

Marc, I see now what you mean. Yes, she's a clever one and a very intelligent and capable graduate student, at that.

 

And speaking of humor, Dennis, I think you might need some more sleep. Where are you falling? :-)