Topic: requesting critique (Read 2892 times)

Jonathan Wienke · « **on:** July 20, 2005, 11:28:31 am »

Link doesn't show the photo...

hovis · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2005, 12:46:52 pm »

Oh, I'm really sorry, it was showing on my comp', try this instead, I'm kind of inept as far as computers are concerned and can't find the right extension. If you click on the image it'll give a bigger shot, there's only one image there.

www.bigmonkeybird.blogspot.com

Jonathan Wienke · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2005, 03:31:11 pm »

Blogspot is blocking external image linking, so you can't use it to host images to post here.

jdemott · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2005, 05:13:15 pm »

I'd like to see a greater contrast range on the figure to give it more dimension and add definition. You could do that with the lighting (increase the contrast between main and fill lighting) and/or with Photoshop (add a Curve that is steepest in the values occupied by the subject). The lack of contrast on the subject is made more noticeable because of the extreme contrast between the subject and the background. In a high key set up with a white background, a low contrast subject would work fine. With the black background, I'd like to see some of the shadows on the subject get very dark so that not all the borders between subject and background are such hard edges.

This is a tough subject to photograph; you've done a good job of getting a decent exposure and avoiding unpleasant reflections. The image you posted has obvious artifacts from sharpening and/or compression so it is difficult to judge fairly.

hovis · « **Reply #4 on:** July 20, 2005, 09:24:36 am »

Hi All

I've made myself a blog, so I can finally get an image posted

I'd really appreciate suggestions on how I might improve my photographic technique; lighting, exposure, composition, anything really. This is stating the obvious , but I'm not a professional so everything is kind of makeshift, I use a Drebel with a 50mm F1.4.

I find exposing plaster casts particularly tricky, the brightest point on this photo is around 235 on the histogram; does this seem high if I want to mantain details or are they going to be blown out?

I moved the black point up to clip about 10 points so that the background was even, is there a good way to set the image up in the first place so that I wouldn't need to do this, as it began to encroach on some areas in the image (this may or may not be a visible problem).

Lastly, the wooden base seems a little dark to me but if I try to adjust it with a curve I lose all contrast in that area, am I doing something wrong?

Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks

Eric Myrvaagnes · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2005, 12:33:51 pm »

If you right-click on where it says "image" (at least in Opera), and click "open image", it will display correctly.

It looks pretty good to me. I'll let the pros offer suggestions.

Eric

hovis · « **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2005, 02:26:00 pm »

Hi All

I don't think my last reply made much sense so I'll try again.

If you go to this website:

www.bigmonkeybird.blogspot.com

click on the image and it'll give you a bigger photo. I'm really sorry for all the hassle.

Tim Gray · « **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2005, 04:01:09 pm »

Well, I see you have the link working now...

It's a tough subject. 235 isn't blown... but quality is practically impossible to judge on the web.

There may be other ways to deal with the background (wand in PS etc) than adjusting the black point or levels. Also (if permitted) flash technique could work to kill the background - but that would add it's own problems to the white plaster... like I said, a tough subject.

Composition wise, my only comment is that the eye really doesn't have any where to land, and it's not enough of an abstract/texture shot for it (the eye) to be happy wandering all over the frame.

hovis · « **Reply #8 on:** July 20, 2005, 07:02:30 pm »

thanks guys

those are good ideas, I think John, you may be right about the depth of contrast in the figure and it may help direct the eye a little more if I can get a better sense of the volume. My only concern with the strong shadows would be that it might be less readable as a whole, though if I shot it on a midtone background I might get the best of both worlds. Definately, given me some ideas, I have a maquette of the piece in the photograph so I'll do some experiments.

thanks again

If there are anymore suggestions out there I'm still listening.

hovis · « **Reply #9 on:** July 20, 2005, 07:12:07 pm »

Oh John

forgot to mention how much I like the photograph from the forest, very beautiful.

Author Topic: requesting critique (Read 2892 times)