Do U dare?

Hey, just want to hear feedback).

Oh i`m also very puzzled please someone explain to me when does a

certain genre become "fine art"!?!

The contrast could be a little higher. The blacks seem flat, but it could just be the scan.

 

Interesting that you shot Tech Pan at that speed. I shoot it at ASA 200 myself, but process in TMax.

The flat black might be a scan issue, I'm attaching something I took the liberty of modifying in The Gimp. I love those tones, specially the stark contrast between her face and the jacket and background. The way her clothes blend with the setting makes it seem almost like a ghost. Wonderful.

 

As for the fine art question, it beats me. I find it specially amusing that one of the categories in the critique requests is actually fine art, since it seems to me more of a status than a category.

I really like the modification with the blacker blacks. But as you posted it, it feels like it was just a guy who forgot to put in the contrast filter into the enlarge. I also might crop a bit off the right and leave some more on the left. It feels a bit to centered otherwise.

 

Apart from those things I really like it when the blacks are blacker.

I do not know about the photographer's intention, but there are two lighter streaks running vertically through the picture that detract from the effect you get with a little more contrast (less than what was used as a test by Ricardo). Without those two streaks, the remaining light is all at the service of highlighting the face. The expression, BTW, is great.

I agree with ricardo's version except done in the darkroom I would try to keep more tone in the face. Otherwise a pretty nice shot.

 

On second thought, I think I would like to see it with more detail overall, still high on the contrast and still mostly black, but just slightly more of the models body and surroundings. Emphasis on 'slightly'

Another way to achieve high contrast would be to shoot something like Kodak HCS. That will give you very high contrast.

I can`t never achieve the contrast that is on the original print - however i think the original 30x40 photo for an exhibition i had in may back here was something between my post and the retouched one in Gimp.

Love that gothic aesthetic. I don't think that (as some have suggested) this photo should be printed as full tonal range. The way it looks it's almost like a vintage carbon print of nosferatu or something...

 

since I have your attention let me tell you a SUPER fun trick to do with tech pan images. make a REALLY contrasty print. go wild. enjoy. then make a Xerox (or scan and laser print) of the print. get some acetone and some decent paper (using arches for this is _wrong_ it's not an archival process) - put the xerox/print face down on the paper and pour acetone on the paper. rub with a paper towel, holding the paper in place. give it a while to dry (2 minutes?) and then peel the xerox off. it gives a VERY arty effect.

 

Anyhow - love this picture.

 

mjr.

I don't think it needs more contrast but it might help being darker. A very interesting image with some strong feelings to it.

Marcus that sounds like a real cool trick! Almost like a poor man's Polaroid Transfer. You have a point as far as the old carbon print look, maybe a nice experiment would be to make a digital neg and try some alternative processes (cyanotype, bromoil or platinum may make interesting versions of this image).

I like the dark feel to the original, although I think I prefer Ricardo's version (maybe with a bit more detail in the face). Her right hand kind of bothers, me, though - I think because it is almost centered and aside from her face and the bottom step is the third brightest white/gray in the photo.

I like what I can see, but I have to say the monitor i am on isn't calibrated well and I can't relly see enough to get more than an impression cause its too dark.