When I posted my last shot I mentioned that there were three broad categories of shots that I took during the Bodygraphia photographic symposium: ones that I staged, ones that were shot while someone else was directing the model, and a set of portraits of Iva Sakarova. This one (kind of) falls into the second category, though I don't think anyone in particular was directing Maria at this point – she was just doing model-type stuff while we all photographed her.
And yes, I know it's a cliché – both conceptually and aesthetically – but I am pleased with how it turned out :)
In terms of the post-production …
If you've taken a look at the original you'll see that this one was over-exposed (by 1 2/3 stops). I did think about going with the metered exposure, but as Maria was standing in the shade, most of the light was coming from behind her, and I was shooting at ISO 400, I decided to go for a high-key portrait from the outset rather than spend ages trying to 'lift' the image in Photoshop. That said, I did use some of the techniques I discuss in my Portraits: part two tutorial, but on the whole the post-production was a simple matter of tidying up the background, cloning out a few other distracting details, converting the image to black and white using the Channel Mixer (as described in both my B&W tutorials: here and here), then using a couple of masked curves (one for contrast, the other to lighten Maria's face and hair).
captured camera lens focal length aperture shutter speed shooting mode exposure bias metering mode ISO flash image quality RAW converter plugins (etc) cropped?
comment byDan Kaufman at 03:55 PM (GMT) on 23 August, 2010
I concur with your decision for a high-key portrait. The rich contrast in her eyes, the detail in her lower eye lids really helps, draws my attention to her face. While her breasts are subtle but naturally beautiful without undue attention.
comment byNicki at 05:09 PM (GMT) on 23 August, 2010
First impression: WoW. On the second view (seeing the original) I do not really know what to think about. Of course, the original is not a poor shot, but I'm not sure if I would choose this capture for processing. But you did a great job, in the onest way I think - as high-key. Respect!
comment byDan McNab at 07:34 PM (GMT) on 23 August, 2010
While I think the high key processing works beautifully with her face, especially with her eyes and lips, I feel it takes too much away from the natural curves of her body. With no shadows or textures her body to me seems to just become an abstract shape.
comment byRob Smith at 09:55 PM (GMT) on 23 August, 2010
There was something that did not quite gel with me in this image until I had a look at the original. The high key treatment works really well for Maria's figure and simplifying the background, but it leaves her face very flat and broad. It would be interesting to see another version using high contrast, and gritty grain. Not the usual David N approach though :-)
Cheers
Rob
comment bydjn1 at 05:57 AM (GMT) on 24 August, 2010
Thanks everyone.
Dan (McNab) and Rob: I wonder if our screens are calibrated differently as although this is a high-key shot there is some discernible detail in both her face and body.
Rob: high contrast and gritty grain might work - I'll give it a try :)
comment byDan McNab at 01:12 AM (GMT) on 25 August, 2010
Hey Dave, I've checked out this shot on a few computers now, and I don't think it's my settings. On all of them I just find the detail in her body lacking. I think that if it were just a headshot the processing work work for me. With this pose however, I find it looks too alien for my likings in this shot. Just my opinion though, I'm still in the very early stages of learning about photography, and different types of processing. Perhaps once I have a bit more experience I'll see things differently
comment bydjn1 at 06:39 AM (GMT) on 25 August, 2010
Dan: I think one other thing that's relevant is that this probably looks more detailed to me than you because I can still see the original - not literally, but as a part of the final image. As for learning more about photography: yes, that might change your view, but it doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with your reaction to this shot - we just see it differently.
comment bymohi at 05:54 PM (GMT) on 25 August, 2010
When I posted my last shot I mentioned that there were three broad categories of shots that I took during the Bodygraphia photographic symposium: ones that I staged, ones that were shot while someone else was directing the model, and a set of portraits of Iva Sakarova. This one (kind of) falls into the second category, though I don't think anyone in particular was directing Maria at this point – she was just doing model-type stuff while we all photographed her.
And yes, I know it's a cliché – both conceptually and aesthetically – but I am pleased with how it turned out :)
In terms of the post-production …
If you've taken a look at the original you'll see that this one was over-exposed (by 1 2/3 stops). I did think about going with the metered exposure, but as Maria was standing in the shade, most of the light was coming from behind her, and I was shooting at ISO 400, I decided to go for a high-key portrait from the outset rather than spend ages trying to 'lift' the image in Photoshop. That said, I did use some of the techniques I discuss in my Portraits: part two tutorial, but on the whole the post-production was a simple matter of tidying up the background, cloning out a few other distracting details, converting the image to black and white using the Channel Mixer (as described in both my B&W tutorials: here and here), then using a couple of masked curves (one for contrast, the other to lighten Maria's face and hair).
camera
lens
focal length
aperture
shutter speed
shooting mode
exposure bias
metering mode
ISO
flash
image quality
RAW converter
plugins (etc)
cropped?
Canon 5D Mark II
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
155mm
f/5.6
1/100
aperture priority
+1 2/3
evaluative
400
no
RAW
ACR
none
no
I concur with your decision for a high-key portrait. The rich contrast in her eyes, the detail in her lower eye lids really helps, draws my attention to her face. While her breasts are subtle but naturally beautiful without undue attention.
First impression: WoW. On the second view (seeing the original) I do not really know what to think about. Of course, the original is not a poor shot, but I'm not sure if I would choose this capture for processing. But you did a great job, in the onest way I think - as high-key. Respect!
While I think the high key processing works beautifully with her face, especially with her eyes and lips, I feel it takes too much away from the natural curves of her body. With no shadows or textures her body to me seems to just become an abstract shape.
There was something that did not quite gel with me in this image until I had a look at the original. The high key treatment works really well for Maria's figure and simplifying the background, but it leaves her face very flat and broad. It would be interesting to see another version using high contrast, and gritty grain. Not the usual David N approach though :-)
Cheers
Rob
Thanks everyone.
Dan (McNab) and Rob: I wonder if our screens are calibrated differently as although this is a high-key shot there is some discernible detail in both her face and body.
Rob: high contrast and gritty grain might work - I'll give it a try :)
Hey Dave, I've checked out this shot on a few computers now, and I don't think it's my settings. On all of them I just find the detail in her body lacking. I think that if it were just a headshot the processing work work for me. With this pose however, I find it looks too alien for my likings in this shot. Just my opinion though, I'm still in the very early stages of learning about photography, and different types of processing. Perhaps once I have a bit more experience I'll see things differently
Dan: I think one other thing that's relevant is that this probably looks more detailed to me than you because I can still see the original - not literally, but as a part of the final image. As for learning more about photography: yes, that might change your view, but it doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with your reaction to this shot - we just see it differently.
I love it