Sisters

[Tuna]

Leica MP, Voigtlander 35/1.7 Ultron, Kodak CN400 B&W film.

All comments and critique greatly appreciated.

Tuna

[Peter_AUS]

Very dark background on my monitor.

[Tuna]

Hmmm... OK, here is one with a little lighter background AND a little tighter crop.

Better?

Tuna

[Lava Lamp]

Leica MP, Voigtlander 35/1.7 Ultron, Kodak CN400 B&W film.

All comments and critique greatly appreciated.

Tuna

This one puzzles me a little. My impulse would be to crop around those great expressions and maybe leave it horizontal, bu get rid of the bird bath. I've seen enough of your stuff to think you probably had a reason to leave it like that, but why?

[Irish]

I was thinking along the same lines as Lava Lamp.

I think the solid bird bath compeats with the figures both on colour and balance within the image. Even when cropped my eye keeps moving from the figures to the bird bath. If you are up to cloning I would remove the bird bath and either image would be stronger for it, IMHO.

Cheers
Andy S......

[Seb]

Leica MP, Voigtlander 35/1.7 Ultron, Kodak CN400 B&W film.

All comments and critique greatly appreciated.

Tuna

Hello Tuna,

This is one fine photograph. Personally, I'll take this one straight like it is. I don't find the background to be too dark on my calibrated monitor. Obviously, it is on the darker side but there is still plenty of details and great tonalities in it I think. Its relative darkness also help me to focus on the kids. As for the bird bath, it does draw some of my attention but I wouldn't say that it is really problematic. The picture could be nice without it but I wouldn't get into troubles trying to cloning it out. I guess that you could simply burn it a little and it would be just fine.

Overall this is an eye catching photograph and the craftmanship is neat. You gotta love that Voigtlander lense, it clearly deliver the good.

Seb

[Overbeyond]

The original looks great on my monitor. The darker background gives a little more emphasis to the light coming through from behind. None of this though distracts me from the main subjects. The birdbath is fine but had it been positioned more to the right the opening in the background (which I like) would be more visible.
Tom

[Tuna]

Thank you for your extensive comments and critique.

After looking at both versions, I think I still like the "darker" background as it has plenty of shadow detail on my monitor and adds to the "dark" feel of the image. I believe it will look alright when printed out.

As for the birdbath, here is how I feel about it. Without the sisters in the image, we have a scene depicting the edge of the woods complete with pine needle flooring, hanging Sassafras canopy, path leading into the woods and a birdbath. To have placed the sisters in front of this background is no different than actors in a play in front of a painted backdrop, a director choosing to place actors in a certain setting - a certain mood. And, to me, here we have our actors - the sisters - in front of their backdrop.

So, for me, the birdbath is in no way a distraction. I believe it is an integral part of the image and begs for well deserved attention.

Tuna

[Seb]

Thank you for your extensive comments and critique.

After looking at both versions, I think I still like the "darker" background as it has plenty of shadow detail on my monitor and adds to the "dark" feel of the image. I believe it will look alright when printed out.

As for the birdbath, here is how I feel about it. Without the sisters in the image, we have a scene depicting the edge of the woods complete with pine needle flooring, hanging Sassafras canopy, path leading into the woods and a birdbath. To have placed the sisters in front of this background is no different than actors in a play in front of a painted backdrop, a director choosing to place actors in a certain setting - a certain mood. And, to me, here we have our actors - the sisters - in front of their backdrop.

So, for me, the birdbath is in no way a distraction. I believe it is an integral part of the image and begs for well deserved attention.

Tuna

Right on!

Seb

[Tuna]

Still working on this one and I've got one (hopefully final) version that is a subtle mix of the two above and also fixes a few other small but nagging problems...

Tuna

[Lava Lamp]

Still working on this one and I've got one (hopefully final) version that is a subtle mix of the two above and also fixes a few other small but nagging problems...

Tuna

Did you notice the "cross" to the right of the girls? It's leaps out a little mor ein the darker version.

[gahspidy]

Excellent shot , Tuna. I find the original to be fine and although it is a tad dark, it still carries just enough detail without distracting and definetely creates a mood. The bits of foliage catching some light gives hint to the depth and bg of the scene Also helps the subjects stand out more. As for the bird bath, I find it adds greatly to the scene. It in itself is interesting in it's setting.
Well done, another fine image