Stephanie
Uploaded: February 21, 2012
Exif: F Number: 2.8, Exposure Bias Value: 1.67, ExposureTime: 1/160 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 400, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 51.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 40D
Dale Hardin February 21, 2012
Sue, I like high contrast images. (also like High key) This image has some great color and the black background gives it pop.There are a couple things I would suggest though. The sash is distracting and the crop makes her look as if she is on her hands and knees. Also the hair is lost in the background.
Try a square crop so that her eyes are in the ROT upper left. Then open the shadows 25% to reveal the hair. Personally I would also drop the highlights 5% but if you're going for a different look you may want to leave it as is. The main thing is the crop. #1444798
Jeff E Jensen February 22, 2012
The tighter crop was going to be my suggestion, but Dale beat me to it. I'm interested to see what his other suggestions do as well. #9995606Debbra Bailey February 22, 2012
Love how she stands out in this! My suggestion would be to either clone out the small section of hair that shows at the very top (above a large black space where the hair is blended into the background) OR lighten up the shadows of the hair (but NOT of the background!) Did that make sense? lol #9995728Carla Capra Anderson February 22, 2012
lovely pic. I like the suggestions. looking forward to ur edits. #9995981Peter W. Marks February 22, 2012
I would like to be able to say something more constructive than "pretty woman, nice image" but all I can add is that perhaps the slightly distracting bare flesh on the right might be cropped out. I am aware of my limitations but am left wondering where the old fella is seeing a "sash"? I think I am seeing a triple string of cultured pearls but as his and my combined ages is nearly 150yrs who knows what we are seeing!Sue C. Cole February 22, 2012
Hahha, too funny Peter, I do believe his sash is your flesh. However; it is acturally her silk nighty.:) I will get the edits up soon. I love your Sense of Humor. #9996078Sue C. Cole February 22, 2012
Ok Team, I had up loaded the streight from the camera image by error the first time. I had already cropped it to a 10x8. I did use the shadow setting Dale suggested and do like it much better. I could drop the highlights 5% it was down as low as possible, but I did increase it 5%. but I do like over exposed images and have to be careful not to over do it.:) I'm also giving a square crop version. Square crops are a hard sell to clients, their minds only think in old school sizes. #9996595Sue C. Cole February 22, 2012
oops, ment I couln't drop the highlights. #9996608Dale Hardin February 22, 2012
I notice you did not open the shadows to reveal the hair. You mentioned that you did, but I see no change. #9996635Aimee C. Eisaman February 22, 2012
I really like the richness of this and your edits to make everything look smooth. The only thing I would have liked to have seen more of would be the hair above the bangs. I can see a detail here and there on the sides and for me that is enough. Based on your original I'm not sure opening shadows is going to get that back. And I too like the square. :~) #9996653Sue C. Cole February 22, 2012
Dale, I did open the shadows up but there was no change to my eyes either. I think next time I may need to use a hair light to help bring it out. I don't know why I didn't think of that when I was shooting her. I'm not sure how else to get that back either. #9996664Debbie E. Payne February 22, 2012
Sue - she is a beautiful girl and I think that the square crop suits her best - it brings out her eyes even more. I am not bothered by her hair disappearing into the black background because as Aimee says she can see a hint of detail in her hair. A hair light would have created an entirely different picture. Both would have been great...just different. #9996675Beth Spencer February 22, 2012
I like your square crop the best. I don't do portraits so could you explain what a hair light is? #9996844Dale Hardin February 22, 2012
Sue, here is what I got when I did it. #9996903Rita K. Connell February 22, 2012
sue this is a very intriguing image. her eyes really pull you in. I really like both the new crops. but out of the two I like the 4x6 the best. I think you should open the shadow on just her hair. #9996906Sue C. Cole February 22, 2012
Dale, I had gotten that effect but I had to pump it above 25% to get it. I personally felt it took away from the romantic,Sue C. Cole February 22, 2012
B9 A hair light in a portrait setup adds dimension and drama to the image by accenting the shoulders and crown of the subject. Like adding spice to a dish, adding a disproportionate amount of hair light can overpower the other lighting and ruin the final image. The brightness of the hair light should never be the first thing you notice about a portrait. You can over do the lighting so easy. Here are a couple of examples of hair light. It is a light that stands above the subject and beems down and behind. I cropped the single women to make her more appropriate for this example. she has more light on her than the couple I'm pushing the line with her a tad. Some might say it's to much. #9996945Dale Hardin February 22, 2012
I now understand what you were going for Sue. I thought perhaps the step didn't work for you and that's why I sent the example.I understand about the hair light and all that and do believe that in the sample you posted it is too much as is the softening of the skin. A bit overdone. The image of the couple is very good.
Hopefully I can get some tips from you on lighting for portraits. As you've seen on my post, I'm trying to get a little in home studio going for family members and such. Nothing pro, just for fun. #9996990
Joan E. Hoffman February 23, 2012
Beautiful model! Love the square crop.... see what Dale means about lightening her hair, but I like the original myself. It seems to add sense of mystery. However, I am zero for zero when it comes to portraits.... haven't taken any and can't add anything relevant to the discussion LOLBeth Spencer February 23, 2012
Thanks for explaining that!! I really like the picture of the couple!! #9998514Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
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