Photo Critique Forum

Please post no more than five images a day and respond to as many images as you post. Critics, please be constructive, specific, and nice! Moderated by gahspidy and mtbbrian.
Featured Photo
Photo by hminx

Photo by hminx
Featured Photo Archive >>
By posting on the Photo Critique forum you agree to post only your own photos, be respectful, and give back as much as you receive. This is a moderated forum and anything abusive or off-topic will be removed.
Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: 30s/40s shot

  1. #1
    GB1
    GB1 is offline
    Moderator GB1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    San Diego CA
    Posts
    9,960

    30s/40s shot

    I really like this shot of model Brianna, but we didn't pay close enough attention to detail here, and her neck strap is twisted.

    Is this fatal to the shot?

    Details, details ...


    G

    Photography Software and Post Processing Forum Moderator. Visit here!

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Feel free to edit and repost my photos as part of your critique.
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    My Site

  2. #2
    Senior Member Anbesol's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    3,430

    Re: 30s/40s shot

    Technically superb, as usual.

    But I don't believe the idea, though. What I mean is, the contrast and detail looks digital, even the saturation. In particular, the lighting technique looks very modern. I think it could use some level of film grain as well. That is assuming the purpose is to look authentically 30's.

    It also looks as though you've flagged off some of the light, or perhaps its the environment and your boxes, I think keeping some of the shadow detail (a tiny bit), on her right side would be good, even a subtle difference (maybe just a little lower black point in conversion). in particular, I'd like to see more detail in her hair and hand.
    - Charlie

    Feel free to edit and repost my work as a part of your critique.

  3. #3
    Senior Member PhilF's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Santa Clarita, CA
    Posts
    599

    Re: 30s/40s shot

    would really help if your PP is 30s/ 40s too.
    Last edited by PhilF; 07-10-2011 at 10:42 PM.

  4. #4
    Senior Member jetrim's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Ft. Lauderdale
    Posts
    3,229

    Re: 30s/40s shot

    Neck strap isn't fatal unless you were planning to put this in a portfolio to be sent out to potential commercial customers. They would notice immediately, most others wouldn't notice at all. I do agree with the others about the processing though. Photoshop has a Hue/Saturation preset called "old style" which might be perfect if you don't want to convert to B&W.

  5. #5
    Senior Member armando_m's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Guadalajara Mexico
    Posts
    4,486

    Re: 30s/40s shot

    I do not care much abut the tiwsted neck strap

    you had a big flash , F22 !!

    Love that everything is tan in color, skin, makeup, eyes, hat, wardrobe ...

  6. #6
    Re Member LeeIs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Toronto, Canada
    Posts
    3,403

    Re: 30s/40s shot

    neck strap doesn't bother me either. what bothers me a little is the black shadow on the left. it feels like big black line going down the left side of the photo, i think a bit of reflected highlights on that side would've helped.
    Liban

    "There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have." Nelson Mandela

    Nikon Samurai #23 - The Alexei Ponikarovsky of PR

    Havana Cuba Photography

  7. #7
    Senior Member draymorton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Project Bloomberg
    Posts
    2,131

    Re: 30s/40s shot

    You could fix the neck strap if it is really a problem for you.

    Very well done as a base image - sharp, well-lit, etc. - but I'd love to see some deft vintage post work to put it over the edge.

  8. #8
    GB1
    GB1 is offline
    Moderator GB1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    San Diego CA
    Posts
    9,960

    Re: 30s/40s shot

    Thanks for the candid critiques.

    Charlie, Yeah, it does look modern. It really wasn't my intent to fake out film grain, but I'm not against that idea. Check out the edit. I think there's probably a lot of different ways to go on this one.

    We had a largish flash on her left side and a smaller fill on the right. There were some issues with the fill, however - half the time it wasn't recharging nearly as fast as the main, so didn't fire, or it was turned down too far. This shoot was 'catch as catch can' because someone else had brought the studio lights and set them up, and was extremely touchy about complaints, though he did adjust the main a few times. Let's just say that we were somewhat limited in environment, and that I've worked with better compatriots.

    Armando, See above. Freakin light was powerful and I can only shoot 200 ISO or greater too (w/o risking image quality). The neck strap really doesn't bother you? Bugs the %#$ out of me.

    Jet, I looked for the Old Style in CS5 where you mentioned, and it isn't there. I tried a tutorial on the internet - comments? It may be going too dark.

    Yep, everything I shoot, esp model shots, I want it to measure up to commercial standards. Don't know if I'll ever get there but I'm definitely looking for port material. So, the neck strap needs afixing.

    Liban, yep, that light is excessive. I am going to recheck my images and see if I have a better one where the fill did fire. (I chose this one because she had the best expression: maybe I need to compromise.)

    Dray, I tried a bit of a fix and saw that it would be harder than I hoped Ideas for vintage? I am thinking torn or burnt sides, too (I need another tutorial).

    Thanks for commenting Phil

    G

    Photography Software and Post Processing Forum Moderator. Visit here!

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Feel free to edit and repost my photos as part of your critique.
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    My Site

  9. #9
    Senior Shooter Greg McCary's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Rome Ga.
    Posts
    10,550

    Re: 30s/40s shot

    The second edit is just to dark and agree making the image look vintage would help. I don't care to much for the hat is looks to new and also sits ackward on her head. Nice lighting and pose.
    I am like Barney Fife, I have a gun but Andy makes me keep the bullet in my pocket..

    Sony a99/a7R

  10. #10
    GB1
    GB1 is offline
    Moderator GB1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    San Diego CA
    Posts
    9,960

    Re: 30s/40s shot

    I also think it's too dark. Can try adjusting it tonight.

    What's wrong with it being new, greg? Even if this shot was taken in the 30s, she may have just bought a new hat. I was trying to get her to pull it down a little bit ... I guess she's not from a windy area. Doesn't make it seem too authentic, for when I see a shot like this I think Chicago, and it's windy there.
    Photography Software and Post Processing Forum Moderator. Visit here!

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Feel free to edit and repost my photos as part of your critique.
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    My Site

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •