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Thread: Amanda

  1. #1
    Junior Member lamorena's Avatar
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    Amanda

    Amanda is my best friend. .when she was able to put her daughter down for nap today we got some makeup and hair done quickly and shot a card"s worth today in her living room.

    Thank you for looking.

    Image as composed in camera:




    Crop. I wanted a tight face shot, but...? Suggestions



    Black and White Conversion
    Last edited by lamorena; 08-16-2007 at 03:52 PM.

  2. #2
    MB1
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    The Skeptical Photographer MB1's Avatar
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    Re: Amanda

    She is a worthy subject but your camera placement make the images look like a mug shot or a passport photo. There usually needs to be something in the frame to provide a setting or mood and this sure doesn't have it.

    Take more and get back to us.

  3. #3
    Junior Member lamorena's Avatar
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    Re: Amanda

    I have more to show. Thank you for the critique and I do understand your criticism.

    I have a few other camera placements, but nothing dramatically different in this group.
    I think I was so attracted to this image first because I think it is so direct. But perhaps the reason I don't know how to crop it is because of the mug shot aspect.

    Still as you say, she is a worthy subject.

    This is another edit. It's not what I would typically do, but I think it's very pretty.

    (I don't expect anyone to edit this or any of my photos, but they are invited to do so if they are so moved, and I will appreciate it.)


  4. #4
    Noobsauce KenB's Avatar
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    Re: Amanda

    Agree completely with MB1. She's gorgeous. Let's see some varied poses and shot angles to really bring that beauty out.


    Not a fan of the last, over saturated/contrasted treatment. It lends a harshness that doesn't fit her eyes.

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  5. #5
    The Polariser fx101's Avatar
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    Re: Amanda

    The problem is not so much processing here, if you want I can process one of the images to bring out he skintones more. That will not, however, change the composition which is straight on. Using the rule of thirds, or even having her a little more zoomed out will help. Eye contact is not even nescessary. Beautiful though...
    --The camera's role is not to interfere with the photographer's work--

    --Cibachrome: It's like printing on gold.

    --Edit my photos as part of your commentary if you want to.--

  6. #6
    mod squad gahspidy's Avatar
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    Re: Amanda

    lamorena, I will disagree with the other comments so far as i feel the first photo straight out of the camera is absolutley beautiful. The subject is worthy (to say the least) as already noted but also the lighting, sharpness, tones, costume and whatever post processing you have done here ( i'm assuming this is not exactly as it were out of the camera). She looks like a woman out of the Victorian Era. Needless to say, I love it.
    The crop of the headshot does not work for me as the crop is too tight, especially below the chin and looks like her head presented on a plate, more or less. the last edit is overly processed and loses that romantic, natural feel of the original.
    I prefer the color over b&w by far . . .
    Excellent portrait, bravo.
    please do not edit and repost my photos


    gary


  7. #7
    Junior Member lamorena's Avatar
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    Re: Amanda

    Thank you!

    I tend to agree with you all about preferring the colors as shot,
    and I do *definitely* agree about the head on the plate..

  8. #8
    Senior Member freygr's Avatar
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    Re: Amanda

    You have a good model, but only one photo?
    Last edited by freygr; 08-17-2007 at 10:04 AM.
    GRF

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  9. #9
    Junior Member lamorena's Avatar
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    Re: Amanda

    freygr, in my user gallery there are two more shots from this group. One is "lace" and the other is "glove".

    "lace" was composed in camera, no crop.

    "glove" was cropped a little bit, but I'm not certain that I'm done with that one. I don't think I am..

    We took 47 images altogether, You will definitely see more from this group.

  10. #10
    Sleep is optional Sebastian's Avatar
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    Re: Amanda

    I think for this angle to really pop, more intricate lighting/backdrop need to be used. I have nothing against the angle itself, it's just much more difficult to take such a straight-on shot and make it communicate something than it is using a different angle.

    Primarily, I would be concentrating on separating her dark hair form the dark background. I would also try to light so that her features are highlighted much more dramatically, right now the slight off-camera light does little to model her features.

    But the biggest achievement here is taking the time to doll a mother up in her free time and take the photo. I applaud you and your friend, others wouldn't even bother.
    -Seb

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    (Please don't edit and repost my images without my permission. Thank you)

    How to tell the most experienced shooter in a group? They have the least amount of toys on them.

  11. #11
    Junior Member lamorena's Avatar
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    Re: Amanda

    Thank you very much for the critique Sebastian! Tonight I'm going to try and see what I can do in Photoshop to correct the lighting after the fact..

    (We do shoot sort of guerilla style..sometimes when our kids are in the room begging for juice and attention..)

    I did not have anything for lights except window light, but I did remember to bring in the reflective sun-shield from my car..gold on one side silver on the other. Next time I will remember to utilize it somehow...and thank you for the reminder!
    Last edited by lamorena; 08-17-2007 at 02:01 PM.

  12. #12
    GoldMember Lava Lamp's Avatar
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    Re: Amanda

    Intricate lighting or no, this is a beautiful and memorable picture. It certainly does seem like something from long ago, but I like it very much. To me, the most siginificant flaw is that the eyes aren't as sharp as the lips or lace at her throat.

  13. #13
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    Re: Amanda

    I agree with Sebastian about the lighting. It would bring more drama and accent the facial features if you could possibly get more of the main lighting off to the side. Overall I like the color and composition of the first frame, and also like that the difference between her hair and the background is subtle, bringing more attention to the model's face. The skin tones look very natural as well.

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