Old school Gangster

lizzard_nyc · November 7, 2009

Hi folks,
So I lurk here a whole lot, but rarely post in people.
I did my best imitation of a studio shot early today with my nephew who loved his gangster Hallowee outfit so much, he wanted pictures with it, and also grandma and his mom were pushing for it too.
So I draped black material on my closet, pointed my ceiling fan lights at him, turned on a table lamp and opened my window drapes as much as possible, and then I sat him on my bed--couldn't get the whole body--so this is a half-baked wanna-be studio shot--what do you think?

I did do a little PP work on Picnik.

1.

2.

3.

CyberSteak · November 7, 2009

I really like number 3. Two seems washed out. 1 does nothing for me.

lizzard_nyc · November 8, 2009

CyberSteak wrote:

I really like number 3. Two seems washed out. 1 does nothing for me.

Hi CyberSteak,
Thanks for taking the time to look and comment.
Funny #1 is my favorite.
I agree on the washed out or blown out, I wanted to try a different PP and probably ruined a decent shot.

I like #3 as well, but I could probably have used a hot shoe flash and some lights--but I was just playing with what I have. Playing being the key word and having a little fun.

MissB · November 8, 2009

I really like 1... the process feels really "romantic" for original gangster. Really fun idea.. what about b&w?

divamum · November 8, 2009

#1 is my favorite of the set - it captures the 40's gangster look you were going for. The only thing I don't like is the fingers - the angle makes them look huge, and they're slightly floating since the rest of the hand isn't there.

On #2, what happens if you get a better WB? On this computer (only semi-calibrated right now because while Huey has tweaked it, it's not currently plugged in), his face looks quite orange. If you get a more accurate WB, would some of those highlights in the tie possibly be recoverable? (Rolll on new computer - we need to get you some processing power!

)

#3 is a nice shot of his eyes, but has much less of the gangster thing goin' on.

Nice work, Liz!

lizzard_nyc · November 8, 2009

MissB wrote:

I really like 1... the process feels really "romantic" for original gangster. Really fun idea.. what about b&w?

Miss B!!
So nice to see you back.

Can't convert to bw on what is available to me, it comes out grey--will save the shot though for when I do.

It's his favorite shot too btw.

lizzard_nyc · November 8, 2009

divamum wrote:

#1 is my favorite of the set - it captures the 40's gangster look you were going for. The only thing I don't like is the fingers - the angle makes them look huge, and they're slightly floating since the rest of the hand isn't there.

On #2, what happens if you get a better WB? On this computer (only semi-calibrated right now because while Huey has tweaked it, it's not currently plugged in), his face looks quite orange. If you get a more accurate WB, would some of those highlights in the tie possibly be recoverable? (Rolll on new computer - we need to get you some processing power! )

#3 is a nice shot of his eyes, but has much less of the gangster thing goin' on.

Nice work, Liz!

Hi Divamum,
I have to tell you this forum "people" is where I am least comfortable, so I figured I'd push myself and give it a try.

My computer is not calibrated so it's a little hard for me to fix the image since I don't really have a grasp of how it looks to everyone else, also can't fix the WB--I'm working on getting that computer though:D . My kids just won't get toys for Christmas

.

I like #3 myself--but you are right, not gangster--actually the top of the tie makes him look priest like to me.

Thanks for commenting--and the pointers.

D'Buggs · November 8, 2009

I generaly like these and agree with the posted crit's but will also add one more - #3, perhaps, is under exposed. I see noise.

Wil Davis · November 8, 2009

I dunno about the colour and the B&W - I think it should be the one or the

other but not both.

#3 - a bit soft for the gangster image, perhaps…

#2 - not sure about this one

#1 - nice nails… (but could be cleaned perhaps…)†

Nice pics!

Thanks for sharing -

- Wil

† this is a pet peeve of mine; so often dirty nails let pics down (the devil is in the

details…)

toddb · November 8, 2009

prefer 1
Nice set -- like 1 the best. Seems like it's most fitting for the reason you took it (everyone was excited about the 'gangster' look). Great work turning this out of the situation you had available. Love to hear those stories and see what people are capable of.

lizzard_nyc · November 9, 2009

D'Buggs wrote:

I generaly like these and agree with the posted crit's but will also add one more - #3, perhaps, is under exposed. I see noise.

Thank you. It is definately under exposed.
It was a fun first fake shoot. So many details to remember, my hats off to you guys.

lizzard_nyc · November 9, 2009

Wil Davis wrote:

I dunno about the colour and the B&W - I think it should be the one or the

other but not both.

#3 - a bit soft for the gangster image, perhaps…

#2 - not sure about this one

#1 - nice nails… (but could be cleaned perhaps…)†

Nice pics!

Thanks for sharing -

- Wil

† this is a pet peeve of mine; so often dirty nails let pics down (the devil is in the

details…)

Wow Wil,
I was lovin the first shot so much I totally missed the fingernails--these are all details I have to work on, so many little details--can't wait to do my next one to see if there is improvement.

Thanks for the tips.

lizzard_nyc · November 9, 2009

toddb wrote:

Nice set -- like 1 the best. Seems like it's most fitting for the reason you took it (everyone was excited about the 'gangster' look). Great work turning this out of the situation you had available. Love to hear those stories and see what people are capable of.

Aww thanks Todd,
It was fun, the kid was cool as a cucumber, nice and relaxed and took orders without batting an eye. He's used to me bossing him:D .

Next time I will move my bed out of the room and drape the entire closet to see if that works better, and get a couple more lights and see what happens.

laurenornot · November 9, 2009

Nice! What's a "fake" studio anyway? Looks real enough to me!

I do like the first one best, and I think you can fix the dirty nails with some light Photoshop work.

Too bad your studio was tiny, I would've loved to see one with his full outfit!

lizzard_nyc · November 9, 2009

laurenornot wrote:

Nice! What's a "fake" studio anyway? Looks real enough to me!

I do like the first one best, and I think you can fix the dirty nails with some light Photoshop work.

Too bad your studio was tiny, I would've loved to see one with his full outfit!

That would have required him standing on my bed and me on my window sill.

I'm not complaining, it worked for the portrait shots, but I too wish I could have gotten a couple of full frame shots.

Will see what I can do about the fingernails.
Thank you.

Old school Gangster

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