Back to cars

[Seb]

Here is a new attempt, with a better car lol...

Actually I wanted this to be more of a portrait of my friend with his car in an advertisement fashion than a plain car shot.

Please criticise.

Seb

[Didache]

This wouldn't look too out of place in a glossy mag. You have the light absolutely right and I like the slight angle to it which adds dynamism. Good stuff.

Mike

[LeeIs]

The setting is just fine. The pose could be a bit better IMO. I'm not enjoying how his feet are pointed in different directions. Also he's a bit too far from the car and almost blocks it. I think it might have worked better had he been leaning on it or much closer to it than he is now. Another thing that bugs me is the irregular burn around him and the car. I wish it was more regular both in shape and the amount of burn because right now, some areas look darker as if you've gone over them twice while missing other spots.

I like it how you're trying all kind of different photographic avenues and styles. :thumbsup:

[Seb]

Mike: Thanks.

Leels: I think I see what you mean about my burning. I tried to achieve a smooth transition but I see that it is irregular in some areas. I'll rework it and see what I can come with.
About the model posture and position in the frame, I really meant this shot to be more about the guy than the car (although it is obviously about both). I guess I shouldn't have titled this "back to cars" at the first place.

regards

Seb

[Greg McCary]

I like the concept Seb, but if your shooting the guy maybe a suit and hands behind the back pose giving him a CIA, FBI or tough guy mobster look. Or maybe some clothes that would give him that Matrix kinda look would work too. I think he has the look and the shades too. I know I don't like the hat for sure. What do you think?

[poker]

I like the surroundings and the car. The guy's postion to the car confuses my eyes as if he was a giant who couldn't fit in it. I think if he was simply leaning on his car the perspective would be corrected and would look natural.

I love the Acura TL that one even has the ground effects....cool!

[Seb]

Greg: Thanks. I like your ideas. I'll go for a reshot when my model will be available again.

Manacsa: You make a point! I haven't seen it that way but he does look like a giant now that you said it. I have a shot where he's leaning on the car but I discarded it as he actually looked tiny and the car was truly overwhelming. I guess that I should either have him standing somewhat closer to the car so he doesn't seem that tall or way further from the car so the car loose importance.

regards

Seb

[Greg McCary]

How do you get that dark filter effect around the edges? I like that...

[Seb]

How do you get that dark filter effect around the edges? I like that...

There were few steps involved to get that final look but the darkening comes from two things.

1. I created a duplicate layer of the image that was set to multiply and erased that layer over the car and my friend. The duplicate layer darken the picture but the "exposure" was brought to normal in the center of the frame where the layer was erased.

2. I burned the image by itself (the background layer) with the burning tool set to midtones.

Seb

[Seb]

Here is an alternate edit. Obviously, it doesn't solve the clothing and posture issues but I am interested to know your opinion regarding the post-processing itself.

Which one do you prefer and why?

thanks

Seb

[Ronnoco]

The concept is great, but the blacks are too black, such that there is no detail at all in the guy's clothes or in the tires and bottom part of the car. These areas do not have to be bright, but there should be some greater even lighting on the car and some hint of detail in the clothes and the clothes should not blend into the background, colourwise.

Ronnoco

[Greg McCary]

The first by far. I like the dark feel of the first. The car and building are perfect. The things that bother me most are his pose, watch and hat. You might try PSing the yellow lines out too. I really like the concept. I think that I would shot for the Matrix, X-files look though. I think it would fit him and the car well. I'd give him that "I am going to run you down and beat your ass look". What does everyone else think?????

[Seb]

The concept is great, but the blacks are too black, such that there is no detail at all in the guy's clothes or in the tires and bottom part of the car. These areas do not have to be bright, but there should be some greater even lighting on the car and some hint of detail in the clothes and the clothes should not blend into the background, colourwise.

Ronnoco

You are very right. I guess that he shouldn't be dressed in black to begin with!
I'll nail it, eventually!

thanks for commenting

Seb

[Seb]

At last, a third version!

More details on the clothes and on the car. The burning is somewhere in betwen the original and the second version.

Seb

[LeeIs]

I like the 2nd one best Seb. I think that one has the best depth.