Selective Color Scarf

[CLKunst]

From a client's session this morning. Is this over doing it?

[SmartWombat]

I see no image

[Alison]

Maybe it's the Emporer's new clothes selective colouring lol

[CLKunst]

ACKKK!!! I don't know what's wrong. I'm having an inordinate amount of trouble uploading right now!!
I'll try again.

[dbutler]

CL, are you teasing us???

[gahspidy]

I like this alot, CLKunst. Just as it is. Your bg and models pants sort of blend in with the whole gray scene, but the mustard colored scarf is needed and does the job bringing life into the picture. It works for me.

[readingr]

CL - I have to agree with Gary on this. The background needs to be separated a bit more from the model. It just seems very bright and blown out in areas, the bg i mean.

Roger

[julsoph]

What a cute model! I'm rarely a fan of selective coloring, but I really think this works here, CLK. The fact that it's a more muted color makes it so that it doesn't overwhelm, you know? I like it a lot.

Emily

[CLKunst]

Well at least it's showing up now!

Gary - Glad to know this works for you. I wasn't sure if it was trite to use this technique but felt the dash of color from the scarf would aid the separation from the bg and lead the eye.

Roger - I know, I know about the high lights in the backdrop; it's a white crushed velvet and that's just what it does. My model picked it out of my bag and asked me pretty please to use it. How could I refuse?
As per my comment to Gary I had hoped the inclusion of the color in the scarf would break up the bg from my subject. Her pants are really only two shades warmer than this grey anyway so there wasn't too much I could do there. The clients asked for color and black and white versions of everything for proofs. Hence my turning to the board for a verification of whether this carries the idea or not before I show them.

Appreciate the response so far folks. Please don't hold back, I can take it. ;)

[CLKunst]

What a cute model! I'm rarely a fan of selective coloring, but I really think this works here, CLK. The fact that it's a more muted color makes it so that it doesn't overwhelm, you know? I like it a lot.

Emily

Thanks Emily,

The scarf was originally over bright after the conversion but a little de-sat brought the colors back into the realm of reality. Glad you could tell! Yes, she is a cutie! One of my daughter's friends from school. The scarf was new, her Mom had let her pick it out at the store today and it was featured prominently throughout the shoot.

CLK

[Alison]

I love these selective colouring images.
I posted a couple the other day Selective colouring

I love your lighting! It's so even and soft. That's something I have alot of trouble with.
The high key look is superb with the scarf being the only thing that is coloured.
I think if her shoes were the same colour I might have done them too.

[dbutler]

Absolutely precious! I'm not big fun of SC but I think that it works under certain circumstances. You've done a great job here! And I like the iridescence of the bg. Very playful and in keeping with the mood of the image, I think.

[GB1]

CL - I like the way you used the selective yellow here. The way it glides horizontially across the frame emphasizes the photo's format. The reflective background is a tad unusual here though, not sure what to make of it I think it works in this situation however, since the model has a bright, direct smile. I would also have added a little bit more negative space to the right of her head.. Seems just a tad bit cramped (but to me, a lot of photos seem cramped). Overall, a successful photo and use of selective color.

GB

[Yoyo Szeto]

Hi,
The photo is very good. The drape of the background and the selective colouring work very well. The personality of the girl is well expressed. I wish the girl does not wear sandals.
yoyo

[payn817]

Gorgeous! I love the shine in the backdrop, it works great against the scarf. Kinda like a silver and gold feel (although it isn't really gold exactly) WHATEVER!! Anyway, you get my point, I really like it alot, and I typically HATE portraits/people shots...

perhaps I just hate people...

Well, except my parents, brother, and PR.com family!

Nice work!

[CLKunst]

Thanks for reassurance everyone! Let's hope her parents like it too!

Alison - Thanks for taking the time to look and comment. I use a very simple set up for lighting; an off camera flash mounted behind an umbrella on a pole and a silver/gold reflector placed at equal distance away from the subject at either ends of the "set" (couch). The umbrella makes the soft, the reflector supplies the fill.

D - Thank you for your insight on this. That backdrop always seems to draw a mixed bag of responses whenever I use it. Some folks like some don't. Glad to know it works for you. It's squishy soft and I think that's why kids pick it out when I give them the choice.

GB - I understand what you mean about her head, the image was cropped on the right hand side because the end of my "scenery" was showing. I hoped that I had at least balanced her proportionally within the frame.

Yoyo - Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I wish she had been barefoot myself. The sandals were new and she was very proud of them, I felt wrong asking her to take them off so they were included.

[SmartWombat]

Nothing more to add, other than I like it.
It seems easy to overdo it and end up with a colour that overpowers the B&W image.

[Alison]

Your backdrop looks similar to something I have. I bought 6 metres of white crushed velvet but have been afraid to use it because as GB pointed out it's reflective.
Hey! Maybe I could use it as a reflector lol.

[CLKunst]

Using that piece stretched over something would probably work Ali, so will white poster board or foam board in a pinch. I've also been known to wear a white cotton shirt and use myself as the reflector when working with babies and toddlers. I point the flash at my tummy and make a funny face when the flash goes off. Makes Mommies and Daddies smile too sometimes. Although to do that particular bit of foolishness you should have good ambient light to start with so you're not depending on the flash for full lighting.