sis-in-law

Elaine

I just got back from two weeks in Alaska, spending Christmas with family, and I'm a bit overwhelmed at the thought of editing all my photos! :huh So, I thought I'd start with a simple headshot of my lovely sister-in-law. I took a number of this sort of shot with some variation in expression and smile, but I kinda liked this one. I'd be curious to know how it "feels" to others, and of course I'd love to have some c&c on the shot and processing. (FYI...she has very pale skin.) Happy New Year!

NeilL

Yes, I like it, Elaine.

The 'lean' could be ugly to some, but in fact I love it, for its relaxed intimacy. It's a clue to character also, maybe. Down to earth, salt of the earth. Don't mean to imply country bumpkin. On the contrary, she conveys sophistication in the eyes.

Nice exposure and sharpness.

I also love the blocks of color which are a feature of this compostition - red, blue, gray, set off by the touches of black and a livelier red. The color of the hair gains in this company.

I think the color of the skin is fine. However, it seems rather flat to me, and somehow powdery. Maybe increase contrast a tiny tad? Whiten the teeth by the same measure?

Very successful separation of subject and background, not with bokeh or backdrop, but with tone. Interesting.

I love the gaze. There is soul in it. The longer I look at it the more I become attached to this image.



PS Shooting gear info would be nice, please

Elaine

Thank you very much for your critique, Neil. I must admit, I said a "whew!" to myself when I saw that you liked it! D And she IS salt of the earth, as well as brilliant.

I shot this with a Canon 40D, 17-55 2.8 IS, manually at 2.8, 1/125, ISO 400, all natural light.

NeilL

Elaine wrote:

Thank you very much for your critique, Neil. I must admit, I said a "whew!" to myself when I saw that you liked it! D And she IS salt of the earth, as well as brilliant.

I shot this with a Canon 40D, 17-55 2.8 IS, manually at 2.8, 1/125, ISO 400, all natural light.

Thanks for the info!

One little thing more I just noticed - the under-tip of the nose might need some gentle cloning (?) to reduce the redness?

Elaine

NeilL wrote:

Thanks for the info!

One little thing more I just noticed - the under-tip of the nose might need some gentle cloning (?) to reduce the redness?

Good catch! Thanks!

jeffreaux2

I agree with Neil.... ....that the skin might be just a touch bright/white/powdery?, but I really like the way you processed it. Very nice.

sweet caroline

Very pretty photo- nice processing. Her beautiful eyes really got my attention.

Caroline

Elaine

Thank you Caroline! She really does have lovely eyes!

Thanks for weighing in, Jeff. I'm not quite sure what to think about her skin. She really is pale...but if it looks unnatural, that's not good.

jeffreaux2

Elaine wrote:

Thank you Caroline! She really does have lovely eyes!

Thanks for weighing in, Jeff. I'm not quite sure what to think about her skin. She really is pale...but if it looks unnatural, that's not good.

Oh no ya don't....... ...don't take it that way for sure!

You are the only one who has seen the photo AND knows her. The skin in the photo is very pale....but it is also seriously beautiful. If she actually has skin like that......sheesh bottle me some up...and keep it the way it is.

Its just glowing!!!

eoren1

Great portrait Elaine!
The light and choice of DOF are really excellent.
E

Elaine

eoren1 wrote:

Great portrait Elaine!
The light and choice of DOF are really excellent.
E

Thank you very much, eoren!

Elaine

jeffreaux2 wrote:

Oh no ya don't....... ...don't take it that way for sure!

You are the only one who has seen the photo AND knows her. The skin in the photo is very pale....but it is also seriously beautiful. If she actually has skin like that......sheesh bottle me some up...and keep it the way it is.

Its just glowing!!!

If you can pick her out in the two group photos I've shared (indoors and in the snow) you can see that her skin does appear that much brighter than everyone else's. I was concerned that it looked fake somehow, but I processed this photo the same way I do so many others...in other words, nothing special was done to make her skin appear this way. I cloned out a few stray hairs and a very few little blemishes, used an action I like to use and... voila!