donovan

Critique please. Thanks.

Comments are welcome. Thanks.

Hi Mircea. An unusal pose! The lighting and tones are excellent!

Great as usual, but I prefer the other version.

Please view large. Thanks.

Comments are welcome...

Hi Bridget. There are some challenges with this shot. Firstly, the exposure. Here you have a darkish object portrayed [mostly] againt a light background. Although the white surface has reflected some much needed light onto the cone, you still have some exposure problems. I find the image a bit flat. Judging from the direction of the light, it could have been better shooting from the other side. The next issue is composition and impact. There is not much about this shot that says to me: Hey, look again! The main star of your photograph, the cone, occupies only a small part of the whole image. The rest is all wasted space. Try and fill the frame as much as possible. Maybe get in real close and photograph the textures of the cone. Good work on the DoF. Keep on experimenting!

 

BTW: If you are shooting with a DSLR, you may have some dust on the sensor, or otherwise dirt on the lens? [top left hand corner of your shot].

Hi Mark. Looking at the way you've composed the shot, I get the feeling that the scenery was pretty spectacular, and that you wanted to include as much of it as possible along with your model? You've also placed the model's face smack-bang in the middel of the frame, and with enough headroom to drive an oil tanker through. The result is that the photo looks pretty much like a holiday snap-shot and less like the portrait of a beautiful girl. Although there is nothing wrong with holiday snap-shots, this particular shot could of been composed differently for more impact [see my attached example]. For portraits: get in close, fill the frame and use a shallow depth of field.

 

The lighting on the models face is great. Well done.

Hi Edward. I was going to mention the Rembrandt triangle. You obviously had that very much in mind, and did an awesome job featuring it in your shot. I've had a look at the rest of your portfolio, and absolutely love this shot: http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3666640

 

Keep up the good work!

Hi Edward

The first thing that strikes me about your model is her stunning eyes. Unfortunately, you have somewhat negated that by the shadow that is being cast over the one eye due to the strong top-side lighting. You can probably fix that with post editing, but an easier option would be a reflector positioned to her lower-right to bring out those beautiful eyes from the shadows. The focus on the eyes is also too soft. It seems like you have focused on her left shoulder. If she's a friend or partner and willing to pose again, grab the opportunity and re-shoot. She is truly photogenic.

I'll comment on your shot based on the standards that you have set in the rest of your portfolio, which is very good! Compositionally, the shot is fine. You have followed the rule of thirds, your main subject is in focus while the background is out of focus. What's missing is impact. What are you trying to tell the viewer? Are you drawing their attention to the buds, or is it perhaps the pattern that the twigs create? As someone that has no idea as to what you are trying to show me, my eye wonders around the photograph, especially between the buds and the bright spot in the background in the centre of the frame. It's good to see that you have used a very shallow DOF here. The light falling on the buds and the twig in the foreground is great, seperating them nicely from the dark parts of the background. I agree with Mick: a good crop will take the shot to the next level.

Thank you Alon and Leslie, for your comments.

Lighting, focus, pose, highlights. Everything is spot-on. I understand that you have cropped for a particular look, but do you perhaps have a version where her chin is not cropped? Good work to everyone involved!

Very nice lighting and tones. The seated models face is slightly overexposed on the one side, but it is not distracting. I love the unpretentious nature of this shot. Their poses, the bare feet, the way her hair hangs over her shoulder.. Well done!

The point of focus is spot on. I always battle with getting the DOF right with these type of shots. You have done it brilliantly.

Comments are welcome. Thank you.

Comments are welcome...

Comments are welcome. Thanks.

I love this shot, but I have no idea why! I just love it. Good DOF, great tones, awesome composition and excellent focus on the eyes. Wish it was mine.

Your work is inspiring.

Very well composed. The string of lights almost looks like the tail or backbone of the dragon, which gives a sense of motion to the shot.

The signature is distracting though.

I've tried this kind of photography before, and know how difficult it is to achieve a good shot. You have done well, mate.

My only suggestion would be to get rid of the distracting reflection in the bottom left-hand corner.

Using the texture of the background to frame the model is excellent. Also, I find that the lace fabric on the floor adds balance to the central composition.

Although trivial, my only critisim would be the title of the shot. Maybe something more flattering to compliment an exquisite image?

but find the lack of focus a bit distracting.

You have a good eye for composition.

Comments welcome...

Works well.