jonathancharlesphoto

Images with this theme makes a powerful link to the subconscious - the idea of setting forth into a unknown future without even the support of a vehicle - you just have to run, jump and swim (naked in your imagination) to some distant but hopefully better place which you can vaguely discern in the distance. Your pic works especially well because of the ugliness & darkness of the jetty, just catching the sun at the end, and the inviting, bright (but slightly scary) natural landscape ahead.

 

Altogether a great shot. Best wishes, Jonathan

Wonderful dream-like scene - she even looks believably comfortable (so often the problem with other pictures with this theme). Beautiful image.

 

Best wishes, Jonathan

I have to disagree with Jerry - IMHO this original composition is as much about her arms and the consoling self-hugging. The face naturally grabs attention and so has to pushed off into the corner to achieve a balance of attention. I also think the high-key near-monochrome print works well to show that the sensuality is emotional rather than physical.

All in all, an interesting and elegant picture.

Best wishes, Jonathan

Original take on a popular theme. The low-key B&W print works well. Have to agree with Stig about the skin marks - you could easily clone them out in PS.

 

Best wishes, Jonathan

Good concept and dramatic image.

 

Best wishes, Jonathan

Very "Zen". Excellent composition and the monochrome print works well.

 

Best wishes, Jonathan

Striking image with nice colours but my initial impression was that it's a compositet because of the lighting of the model (mainly from the right) is not compatible with the natural sunlight (from the left). Seeing Mercedes' comment (below), however, I think he is right - still the effect is quite unnatural.

 

Anyway it doesn't seem to have troubled your other viewers so maybe I'm just being picky!

 

Best wishes, Jonathan

Lovely expressive portrait (but doesn't seem to fit the title). The narrow DoF works well but the loss of shadow contrast by her neck looks odd (? scanning reflecction), otherwise nice B&W print quality.

 

Best wishes, Jonathan

I'm afraid I don't have any source - I just play around with images by trial and error. I this pic (IMHO) the background and her upper body are too light but her derriere under the cushion is rather lost in the shadow and her face and hair do not catch the light as we might wish. So I adjusted the curve for each of the 3 zones (shadow, face + hair, all the rest) separately to give what looked to me the best balance, keeping the skin tones fairly consistent. Finally I smoothed some uneven lighting on her arm and leg which was exaggerated by the steeper curve, and applied a little sharpening to her face & hair to emphasize the narrow DoF effect.

 

It actually takes longer to describe than to do!

 

Best wishes, Jonathan

... I couldn't resist having a go!

I agree with Barry that the "personal" nature of this shot is what gives it the charm - there are a million technically perfect but sterile nudes out there but real life has the emotional connection which draws you to a picture. IMHO this is what photography, especially of people, is all about.

 

Anyway, technically it's not at all bad - you have used the narrow DoF to put the emphasis on the portrait aspect. Obviously the available light is not ideal but I wonder if you could improve it with a lower-key print...

 

Best wishes, Jonathan

This reminds me strongly of the paintings by Edward Hopper - the combination of the person with the architecture, the classical lighting and the timeless mood. I'm sure she will be delighted to have become part of such a work of art.

 

Best wishes, Jonathan

 

PS: I think a reflector would detract from the dramatic shadows you have created.

Thanks Philippe. Like most of my stuff it wasn't set up as a photo - we had just taken a bus back from the beach and she was walking ahead while I snapped an interesting building or something. So she wasn't being especially provocative for the shot. It was only later that I realized she wasn't wearing anything under her shirt - I was pleased I had captured the moment.

Very good pose and angle. The grainy B&W film gives a nice retro feel.

 

Appreciating the constraints of the workshop situation I still think that this shot would benefit from more personal engagement with your model - her "objective" gaze probably reflects her impression of your (and the other photographers') attitude to her.

 

Best wishes, Jonathan

I scanned this 1981 candid shot for a project on "Yellow".

After wehad spent the day on Paradise Beach a silk shirt seemed perfectlyadequate for returning to Mykonos Town.

It reminds me of theeasy-going spirit of the time.

Excellent series with nice lighting and interesting effects from the gauze. I would like ideally a photo somewhere between this one (too much gauze) and the "Widowed Bride" (not enough) - maybe you have some more from this session?

 

Good choice of model for these dramatic images.

 

Best wishes, Jonathan

trying again ... success!!!

Wonderful theatrical lighting, pose and expression. Fractionally more light in the lower half would be nice (maybe it could be lifted from the shadow in processing?)

 

Best wishes, Jonathan

 

PS I hope you don't mind if I show what I mean...

May I suggest a way to get a more natural effect? - From the original create a duplicate layer, apply a similar or even more drastic selective blur to the top layer; then adjust the opacity to whatever looks right, usually about 50%.

 

It's a nice series and a very photogenic subject.

 

Best wishes, Jonathan

Excellent dramatic pose and lighting, well exposed.

 

Best wishes, Jonathan

 

PS I think I would rotate it a few degrees clockwise

This is perfect - the colours, lighting, composition, model and her expression all add to make this one of my favorite glamorous photos ever. It should win a prize at any exhibition.

 

Outstanding work.

 

Best wishes, Jonathan

Yes, it's a very natural photo and to me looks like it's taken from "real life" (as are most of mine) which adds to the emotional impact of the image. The narrow DoF works well but I agree that a little selective sharpening of her eyelashes (and maybe some softening of the reflected light on her forehead) would make it perfect.

 

Best wishes, Jonathan

It's a beautiful calm portrait with very delicate lighting - presumably from a window - for me the only problem is the close crop on the right (especially compared with the left) - it would be nice to see the edge of the window (if it's there) as it would also "explain" her gaze. I think the earphones work very well to give a contemporary clue and introduce the idea that she is enjoying listening to the music while looking out of the window - it all adds up to a story of the moment and makes it more real.

 

Best wishes, Jonathan

This is a brilliant composition - the boldness is breath-taking. The colours cleverly link the foreground with the background in a natural harmony, without losing any impact.

 

Beautiful work.

 

Best wishes, Jonathan

 

PS. Strange coincidence: I just saw your bio - I have today posted a photo featuring a T-shirt made by "Playground Called Earth" and yours was the next photo I looked at. Spooky or what? !!!

Thanks Barry - yes it's a lovely part of France and from Bristol it's quicker (and cheaper) than going to London!

 

I'm afraid you will be seeing quite a lot of photos from the area as I shall be living there part of the time. I'm planning to run photo courses when we're organised - maybe something to take in for a trip to Europe!

 

Best wishes, Jonathan