<<< o >>>off the shoulder 19 comments + add yours
chromasia.com

As with my recent Photo Friday entry, I’m not really sure what to make of this shot. On the one hand, I really like the simplicity, warmth, and general composition, while on the other I think it’s ended up looking perhaps a shade too artificial; i.e. it looks a bit like a collage rather than a photograph. This is partially to do with the post-processing but I also think it’s a consequence of the contrast between the (overly?) smooth skin tones and the detail/texture of my wife’s top. I do quite like it though, not least because I do think there’s something quite beautiful about the curve of her shoulder ;-)

And the eagle-eyed among you may have noticed that I’ve dropped a line of data from the shooting information – there didn’t seem to be too much point in constantly mentioning the UV filter I use for most of my shots, not least because it’s only there to protect the lens ;-)

camera
capture date
aperture
shutter speed
shooting mode
exposure bias
metering mode
ISO
focal length
image quality
white balance
 
Canon G5
10.32am on 11/4/04
f3.2
1/60
aperture priority
+0.0
evaluative
50
15.8mm
RAW
auto
 
 
4x3 + people [portraiture]
comment by lynn at 09:32 PM (GMT) on 18 April, 2004

this is absolutely exquisite (even tiny, because, as you know, i can't access the large version, alas..)and not artificial at all. i think it's delicacy lies in the colours, especially the dusky pink: i imagine the effect would be quite different with another hue. and yes, a lovely curve!

comment by Yenly at 10:41 PM (GMT) on 18 April, 2004

Did you use a soft lense for this shot? this is a very captivating shot.

comment by Sandra Rocha at 11:23 PM (GMT) on 18 April, 2004

your wife likes pink and always looks great on your shots :-)

like the contrast between the straight lines on the shade and the curves on body and top, works very well with the general "smootheness" of the image

~~

comment by Tom B at 02:08 AM (GMT) on 19 April, 2004

I just love it. You are very lucky that your wife is a willing participant. My wife runs the other way when my camera comes out.

The photo is wonderful. I love the skin tone, window lighting from behind and the texture of the sweater.

Very well done!

comment by richard at 02:46 AM (GMT) on 19 April, 2004

I like this one a lot. Potentially one of your best. Wonderful.

comment by Judith Polakoff at 03:27 AM (GMT) on 19 April, 2004

I love the light and colors in this one, and her skin tone, which seems so "pure", although the vertical band of light reflecting off the blinds is a bit distracting. Did you use your bounce flash for this?

comment by Alia at 09:11 AM (GMT) on 19 April, 2004

This is gorgeous, even though appearing to be a tad Photoshop-ped. Good job :)

comment by RainKing at 10:53 AM (GMT) on 19 April, 2004

Looks great to me, although it's true that it looks a tad artificial. That happens to me sometimes when I use too much noise-removing software like Neat Image.

Still, great pic.

Regards.

comment by Kjetil at 02:08 PM (GMT) on 19 April, 2004

really sensible. it looks stunning. perfect light.

comment by djn1 at 02:35 PM (GMT) on 19 April, 2004

Thanks.

Yenly: no, the diffuse effect is the result of duplicating the background in PS, blurring it by around 12px, and setting the blend mode of the layer to overlay.

Tom: yes, I am :-)

Judith: yes, I did use bounce flash, but the reflection is from some halogen lighting rather than the flash. I did think about doing another version but I quite liked the band of light - without it the blinds looked rather uninteresting.

RainKing: yes, I agree, it didn't end up quite as 'natural' as I would have liked.

comment by btezra at 04:08 PM (GMT) on 19 April, 2004

~sensual, soft and alluring shot~

comment by emarquetti at 04:22 PM (GMT) on 19 April, 2004

Lights are ... as in a dream!

comment by kijal at 05:34 PM (GMT) on 19 April, 2004

Luvely...

comment by Jay at 01:25 PM (GMT) on 20 April, 2004

I really like the subtle way you use photoshop; wish I could post process like this, not to mention your skill as a photographer

comment by Muk at 08:36 AM (GMT) on 29 April, 2004

I'm not a real "portrait" fan, but this one is very special. Nice light, great shoulder.

comment by graceshu at 01:38 PM (GMT) on 21 November, 2004

so beautiful it makes me cry.

comment by Matt Simpson at 12:22 AM (GMT) on 4 February, 2006
I do think there’s something quite beautiful about the curve of her shoulder

The shoulder is a very underrated body part if you ask me.

Great shot.

comment by Claus Petersen at 05:24 PM (GMT) on 21 May, 2011

The light really makes this nice a delicate.

comment by Ian Mylam at 10:31 PM (GMT) on 21 May, 2011

Yes, it looks a little artificial and stylised; but yes, it's still beautiful.