Emily

juliejules · August 24, 2006

I like this photo, but I'd also like to hear the constructive criticisms of my fellow dgrinners. I'm not brave enough for the whipping post.

I took this using natural light from a window with a Canon 20D and the 24-105mm F4 IS lens. ISO 400, F5, 1/320 s. In post, I used levels and curves, a little burn to reduce the brightness in her hair, and crop. I'm particularly interested in whether or not you like the crop.

bjustbob · August 24, 2006

For me the intensity of her eyes/expression hold my interest, I'm not usually a fan of cutting off the top of the head but it doesn't bother me at all.

John Desjarlais · August 25, 2006

Nice shot. I like the crop a lot, with the only problem being the large black area upper right.

juliejules · August 25, 2006

Thanks bjustbob & John!

I'll try to lighten the corner.

Stustaff · August 25, 2006

juliejules wrote:

Thanks bjustbob & John!

I'll try to lighten the corner.

Id actualy just bring the crop in a bit to lose the right balck corner, not all of it maybe half actuall my cop would exactly just take you copyright text off the image

juliejules · August 25, 2006

Lightening the corner turned out to be harder than I thought, so here's another version with a different crop. I'm not sure which one I like better.

Stustaff · August 25, 2006

2nd one for me

bjustbob · August 25, 2006

Still the 1st version for me, the darkness is a counterbalance to her face.

Scott_Quier · August 25, 2006

juliejules wrote:

Lightening the corner turned out to be harder than I thought, so here's another version with a different crop. I'm not sure which one I like better.

I'm with you. I don't know which I like better either. My initial feeling was the second one until I read a later post indicated that the large dark area worked well to counter-balance her face. So, now I'm waffling. In the end, I think I like the second crop better.

oldtime · August 26, 2006

juliejules wrote:

Lightening the corner turned out to be harder than I thought, so here's another version with a different crop. I'm not sure which one I like better.

i#1 is better I like the dark spot #2 you just put her in a tight fitting box and she can't breath

rofl

saurora · August 26, 2006

I like the 2nd one better, Julie. I didn't like the way her face was crowded next to the frame with the dark space behind her. It seemed to crowd her in a strange way. So as long as she is going to be crowded...she might as well be boxed in...somehow it just looks better to me!!! I'm not really keen on her expression, but I don't know her or what kind of look she was going for! I don't mind cropping tops of heads off.....I find it just brings the viewer closer to the eyes which to me are really the focal point.

juliejules · August 26, 2006

oldtime wrote:

i#1 is better I like the dark spot #2 you just put her in a tight fitting box and she can't breathrofl

Good point!

juliejules · August 26, 2006

saurora wrote:

I don't mind cropping tops of heads off.....I find it just brings the viewer closer to the eyes which to me are really the focal point.

Thanks for the feedback saurora & scott.

Featuring her eyes is definitely the goal. I really wanted them in the top 3rd of the frame, but that was too extreme. I've been trying to work on the rule of 3rds wrt to eyes, so that's also why she's close to the left of the frame.

I posted it here to get your reactions to it. I appreciate all the help folks!

I guess I like the first one best myself, but sometimes I don't trust my own judgment.

Emily

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