Model

[GB1]

Your opinions please ...

GB

[GB1]

Btw, Is it always good to keep the whole body? I'm really thinking this image looks better with a crop.

G

[Coastal Flyer]

GB,

No, you do not always have to show the full body. In this instance, she is far too beautiful to not show off that face. Besides, the turned in foot is unflattering. Also, I think cropping out the landscaping pipe or light only helps the shot. Go with the crop.

David

Balboa Park?

[zerodog]

crop is way better in this one.

[armando_m]

i think the more you show her eyes and smile the picture will be better

exif shows it went through portrait professional, at the distance you took the photo , did you need Portrait prof ?

Have you found that PF changes the hue, white balance, contrasts making the photos look completely different than the original ? it does a great job with the faces, but i do not like it changing everything else. Sorry for the off topic comment.

[PhilF]

Your opinions please ...

GB

dude were you at the Memory Garden in San Fernando Mission ,San Fernando Valley?

[GB1]

Thks fellows. Confirms my guy feeling that it really pays to zoom/crop in when the situation demands. I think there's a lot of formulas out there - like the one that says to show the model's entire figure - that apply most of the time, but they really need to be ignored in certain situations.

CF, thanks and I didn't even see that sprinkler.

Armando - When you crop in with a high res shot, it is not too different than a regular portrait, just slightly less detail and sharpness. PP only works on the subject's face unless you set it otherwise. Actually, version 10 just came out and has a full body mode if you want to use that. I assume it's intended for swimsuit or related shots, not for clothed areas. I'll put a writeup of it on the PP forum.

Thanks too Zerodog,

Gb

[jetrim]

Thks fellows. Confirms my guy feeling that it really pays to zoom/crop in when the situation demands. I think there's a lot of formulas out there - like the one that says to show the model's entire figure - that apply most of the time, but they really need to be ignored in certain situations.
Gb

*standard* crops are:
Headshot - Just below chin to just below necklace
Half length - slightly below lowest part of upper garment
Three quarter - mid way between hip & knee, or midway between knee and ankle (depends on garment)
Full length

I really like this shot. The energy and enthusiasm of the model really shows. I do think a half or 3/4 crop works better than full length though. The crop I saw in my mind when viewing the first shot was to end it on the bottom where the top front edge of the hedges exits the frame to the right, which would cut the thigh mid way to the knee. It brings out the model's face more and removes the distracting elements from the bottom. (don't care for the way the far leg shows behind the front, or the angle of the front foot). Very nice work Greg.

[GB1]

dude were you at the Memory Garden in San Fernando Mission ,San Fernando Valley?

Phil - Ha ... no it was Balboa Park in San Diego near the zoo, but it does look a lot like the place in the image here. The group I shoot w/ has a lot of shoots there. It's a great place but packed with tourists on the weekends, making it hard to shoot. It also seems like every wedding photographer in SD brings the couple there for shots.

G

[GB1]

*standard* crops are:
Headshot - Just below chin to just below necklace
Half length - slightly below lowest part of upper garment
Three quarter - mid way between hip & knee, or midway between knee and ankle (depends on garment)
Full length

I really like this shot. The energy and enthusiasm of the model really shows. I do think a half or 3/4 crop works better than full length though. The crop I saw in my mind when viewing the first shot was to end it on the bottom where the top front edge of the hedges exits the frame to the right, which would cut the thigh mid way to the knee. It brings out the model's face more and removes the distracting elements from the bottom. (don't care for the way the far leg shows behind the front, or the angle of the front foot). Very nice work Greg.

Thanks Jim, and a big thanks for the standard crops information. I sort of guessed this from observation but I am not 'in the know' because I don't do this type of photography on a regular basis.

Rules/formulas are a double edged sword and I guess you just have to have the cojones to break away from the mold. But even if you do, that's only the first step - is the unconventional way any good is the real Q.

[jetrim]

I like the crop far more than the full length. The way both feet are rolled out and the positioning of the far leg give the impression of being uncomfortable (it's a body language impression). All that goes away with the crop and it becomes warm and inviting.

[Tyson L. Sparks]

I like the full length shot better, looks like she needs to iron her shirt in the crop. Also I would like to see it a little warmer myself.

[GB1]

Thanks guys. yeah, shirt needs ironing. These little things do indeed make a difference. That's where a team comes in handy - van full of things like ironing boards, MUAs, ..

G