peaceful hands

[PlantedTao]

This is a great subject and definetly a spot to do a re-shoot.
Personally I like the exposure and don't think the hands need anymore detail...the contrast is just right.
Of course you should always expose for the shadows and then develop to your taste.
I have to agree with gary that moving away from the subject some would be a big improvement.
I always shoot with a filter (yellow # 8 is my fav) to try and give my skies more texture, although I have not used a graduated as gary suggested.
Great shot and I look forward to seeing more of this subject!
Cheers.

[drg]

I did get back for another comment before too much time had passed I hope?

When shooting sculpture made of metal (and I wondered based on the photo if that wasn't what it was as opposed to stone) there's another filter type that sometimes works wonders with b/w, and that is an intensifier. There are green intensifiers that hardly anybody uses anymore that will sometimes really make a scene with a big metal object pop. The sky remains problematic, but don't forget that a standard or circular polarizer is a very useful (probably the most generally useful) filter with b/w. Unless your using AF, a standard polarizer stacked with different combinations of the R-G-B-Y filters can (depending on the sky) do two things:

1: Provide the various contrast levels from what is directly in front of your (kill glare with the Pola and contrast the color in the sky )

2. If there are broken clouds or they are uneven (our eyes may not see them because of glare or theres not enough contrast) the Polarizer and contrast/complementary color will bring them "out" or "up" on the film.

If the sky is "severe clear" and the sun is closer to the horizon, below 9 or 3 o'clock high (not time of day), and you shoot at betwenn 45 and 90 degrees to sun location you can literally generate a gradient effect on film with only a a good dark polarizer. Just twist that filter until the sky looks as dark blue as you can get it and then turn it an extra few degrees and lessen the effect slightly. Chances are there's a just enough humidity left in the air to pick up a "gradient" effect.

Neutral density split/full filters will modify the the amount but not type (reflect, refract, or chromaticized(sp?) ) light.

Several good suggestions already about the hand photo and the others as well which I'll second or third, and add my opinion that the hands photo has some clutter on the horizon of a tree or so in an inconvienent/unattractive place. I'd like to see the horizon run across the photo differently. That's what I was thinking about as much before and still haven't come up with a better idea.

Hope this hasn't been to much of a diatribe.

[Dzerzhinski46]

Dear Rebekah,

I like this shot. It has a nice feel and the texture on the hands is good. One thing I can think of is use a split neutral density filter. Or go when the sun isn't so bright . I would imagine sunset would be a great time for this shot. Or another thing is use a red or orange filter. That would darken the sky conderably. But then you might not be able to pick out the hand from the sky. Good luck on the reshoot.

Drew

[LeeIs]

The original shot was great!! I also think the kid on the tomb stone shot has alot of "personality", it's alive. Nice shooting.

[villenadecorte]

The original shot was great!! I also think the kid on the tomb stone shot has alot of "personality", it's alive. Nice shooting.

LIBAN- That is a funny choice of words to use when talking about a dead person! haha.
You've got me laughing over here. ("it's alive")
Thank you for taking time to look and post!

-rebekah

[villenadecorte]

DRG- Thank you so very much for all of that awesome info.
I can't wait to reshoot using some of your ideas!