Creep

[draymorton]

Hello all,

Wondering what anyone thinks about this (the idea or the execution), because I'm not sure if I know what to think. I'm pretty new to the world of experimental post-processing, and I don't think I have a clear idea of "good" and "bad" just yet.

So... feedback, please. If you don't like it, why? Can something be done to improve the overall effect? Is it a lost cause altogether? Etc. etc.

Thanks.

[Greg McCary]

Personally I like it. The composition is good, DOF is good and the processing works too. Good work.

[mtbbrian]

Interesting photograph...
My eye tends to go between the face and the brighter column in the background.
Brian

[Don Schaeffer]

Spooky. I woinder idf you'd gain from straightening the image to make the frame level.

[jetrim]

I think you're onto something here. I agree w/ Greg that DOF is good and the processing works well, but I also noticed what mtbBrian did, and I think the reason for it is because the face (which is wonderfully expressive) is looking OUT of the frame instead of into it. I think if I were to try to replicate the shot, I would rotate the camera about 10 degrees left placing the face in the right hand third of the frame rather than the left third, which should introduce the framework on the left side of the wall mirror, so it would incorporate all the same elements, just in reverse order (if that makes any sense)

[SmartWombat]

Looks almost vampiric, in which case he wouldn't have a reflection ...
The eyes are great, and the colour is superb.

I would clone out the little bit of gliding in the top left corner.
If you can't edit to bring up the brightness on the lower right of the oval mirror frame, then I'd re-shoot with the whole of that oval frame lit a little more evenly. It doesn't need much more brightness, which is why I suggest editing first.
Also the lower right of the face is shaded, I'd like to see the outline of the chin there.

Maybe you can put a little more below the mirror and face, putting it into the upper left a bit more. It's rather vertically centred and I can't see whether it ought to be in the dominant (top) of the image or not.
Maybe shading the top of the gilded post like the bottom is shaded would help shift the visual focus to the left, but maybe it's my desire for symmetry kicking in
Have to try it and see how you like it.

[armywife1984]

Wombat stole the words out of my mouth VAMPIRE!!!! Or something crawling out of my nightmares. He looks like one of those late night Sci-Fi movies where something evil is traped in a mirror and he looks like hes trying to find a way out....But i digress. This is a great spooky shot. I like everything the way it is but you might try reshooting and reposting with the above mentioned critiques, maybe itll give another interpretation to the shot. Definatly spooky/creepy/scary! not sure if thats what you were goin for...Is that you? holding a handmirror?

[mindikollphotos]

That picture reminds me of the horror flick video covers I try to avoid. lol Creepy, but cool. I like the idea, and the tilted frame, but I think the dude should be centered within the mirror.

[draymorton]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. You've given me lots to consider here (which is what I was looking for).

Greg - thanks!

Wombat - clone out the bit of frame in the top left... I was thinking the same. I'll try bringing up the brightness in the mirror frame and/or tone down the brightness in the column to the right of mirror to ease the tension mtbbrian was talking about (unless he meant that it was good), but honestly, I'll probably just try to reshoot this a few different ways, keeping in mind the ideas that everyone here has suggested.

As for the face being shaded, that was actually the idea - like he's holding a cloak, cape, or some other generally creepy article of clothing up to his face. But maybe it's not working...?

Don - I'll try leveling it out; we'll see what happens!

jetrim - I think I know what you're saying and, if so, it's a great suggestion. I'll give it a try when I reshoot. I really hadn't taken into consideration just how much eye direction affects the overall dynamic flow of an image. (Hey, I'm learning...)

Armywife - Ironically, spooky/creepy/scary was not the intent during the shoot. We were originally trying to get some fashion-oriented shots! This is what happens when a photographer and his model get bored...

mindikoll - I try to avoid them, too. (Don't tell anybody...) I'll try reshooting with the subject closer to center.

Thanks again.