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Thanks, Bob. Bg - I agree (even though things are often blown out all over the place in vintage pictures). I added a lightened layer to even out the imperfections of the wall, which I can definitely downplay. I also have another version where her hair isn't blown out at the top of her head.
The bunny - I see what you're saying, but, really, he's a huge part of the whole thing. I'll try it, though.
The idea and the technique is marvelous. Its like a modern (or,at least, different) take on Alice In Wonderland. I think I would like to see a connection (eye contact maybe) between the female and the cat.....I mean rabbit .
I totally love the white out/fade around her head to give the dream quality. I am wondering if it can be matched with the cat.....I mean rabbit (again ) as a way to connect them.
Thanks, arne. Hadn't thought of that until you mentioned it. I had the idea of the model gazing off into space, kind of disconnected from the bunny/cat. But eye contact would be nice.
Not sure what to do to create that dreamy effect on the rabbit (a flare, maybe?), but I do like the idea.
p.s. this was a quick, largely-unplanned shoot for a newspaper story, so a lot of details were left to chance. Not the preferred way to work!
So why "blue?" I find offering a critique of your photos to be daunting in that it is clear that you have made certain choices for artistic reasons. This is quite different than offering technical tips to help folks who are striving for documentary stye photo-realism.
What I would say here is that it is a lovely photo. The woman looks memorable and sexy -- which, presuming that's what you both wanted is a good thing. Her body language seems perfect -- posed and yet very relaxed. I think you could lose the bunny-cat entirely, but it gives her something to look and and adds balance to the composition, plus a little whimsy and imagery (of what I don't know.)
I do think Mr. Whiskers is a little too blown out and the fact that the front of the sofa and armrest is very sharp and detailed and contrasty relative to the rest of the photo might not be the right choice. Even though I can see the sunlight causing this, it seems to me you might want to blur and brighten it a little.
I'm against blown out highlights in all my shots and try to avoid them, thats why I have mixed feeling about them here. I think her right arm and elbow were blown out and you tried to bring them back but they don't look natural to me, maybe you should blur them a little.
:I'm undecided on the blown area on left. I like it because it seems to fit but might be a bit too much.
I know you are skilled enough to have eliminated it so I'm not going to complain about your choice.
It isn't agains the law to break rules in photography.
I definitely would like more room on the left. It seems chopped to me, especially with the dogs rump chopped off. :wink5:
Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I'd like to think that Blue would be flattered by the cat comparisons.
Armando and Pete - thanks!
Frog - I do have a version where her hair isn't blown out at all. And I could open up things on the left, as it is indeed a crop. I was trying to echo the top of her head being cut off on the other side of the frame. And I was also thinking about where to crop through the leg without it being terrible.
Gerald - me, too. But again, a lot of those old photos from the 50s, etc., are blown out (or close to it) in the highlight areas, which is what I was trying to mimic. Actually, the arm was well-exposed to begin with. I lightened it in pp, so I could tone that down.
Lava - thanks - and very good point about the sharpness of the sofa. I was originally going to blur the bottom a little - sort of a tilt-shift effect - but decided against it for some reason. But, yes, I should probably soften the bottom and arm a little.
The bunny is a overexposed, yes (though, again, all of that was done in post). I guess I was going for a faded vintage look, though maybe I went too far. I was also worried about the detail in the fur and how (or if) it was going to register in print, so I erred on the light side.
I agree the blown out area is a bit much but this is well worth exploring more. You have a great imagination. It looks a little out of focus as well. Maybe from the resize?
I am like Barney Fife, I have a gun but Andy makes me keep the bullet in my pocket..
I agree the blown out area is a bit much but this is well worth exploring more. You have a great imagination. It looks a little out of focus as well. Maybe from the resize?
Greg, the blown out area (and I still don't know if people are referring to the wall or the hair) is an easy fix. It was that way to begin with. I have a version of this wherein the hair is properly exposed (i.e. no flare).
The left hand and left leg are less in focus than everything else, for sure. But the face, hair, shirt, right arm, etc. are sharp. I'm looking at the original right now. I think what you're seeing, mainly, is the ring.
Love this! The blown out bit is fine with me. It reminds me of early, soft focus photographs. I think it adds to the romantic, period feel of this photo. I also love the bunny. The bunny adds a bit of randomness that makes me wonder a bit about the model. Why a bunny? What makes her different? Why *not* a cat? And while I like her current position, I think having her looking into the camera would strengthen the photo - add a bit of a challenge to the viewer - "judge me..."
Another great one from you. Glad you're part of the family
I like it too. The imperfections make it more convincingly vintage. Eye contact either between the cat/bunny and the woman or the woman and the camera would be nice but I really like it as-is.
It's not that often but sometimes some blown highlights can work pretty well. I think this is one of those cases.
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But eye contact would be nice.
Originally Posted by Greg McCary
