challenge 28: Nadi's portraits

nadinadi Registered Users Posts: 54 Big grins
edited December 25, 2004 in The Dgrin Challenges
I had a christmas party last weekend and used the opportunity to take a few shots of my friends. Here are two I've finished playing with:

13007794-M.jpg

13007795-M.jpg

What do people think?
The careful man tries to dodge the bullets.... while the happy man takes a walk.
Mark Oliver Everett

Comments

  • ginger_55ginger_55 Registered Users Posts: 8,416 Major grins
    edited December 21, 2004
    I like the second one best, by far. The arm of the woman is distracting to me. The lighting on her, basically, is distracting: for instance, the heavy shadow from her nose. The second one is sooo superior, I just had to come back on and commend you for the second one.

    On the second one, I am one of those people who love that type of framing, some don't. I don't know what others will say. If you are entering it, I would go with the majority opinion, smile.

    I was going to buy that framing set up, but it was sooo expensive, for me. I love it, especially as you used it. And I like your toning.

    ginger
    After all is said and done, it is the sweet tea.
  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,934 moderator
    edited December 22, 2004
    I think the first shot might benefit by cropping the arm out. The lighting
    really sets the mood for this image. The second has a sort of "cover art"
    feel to it. I like the framing and color tone of the image.

    Ian
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • jwearjwear Registered Users Posts: 8,009 Major grins
    edited December 22, 2004
    I go along with ian on this one with out the arm .the contrast i like
    Jeff W

    “PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE ‘JAZZ’ FOR THE EYES…”

    http://jwear.smugmug.com/
  • nadinadi Registered Users Posts: 54 Big grins
    edited December 22, 2004
    thanks for the feedback....
    I tried the crop on the arm, but I preferred the original framing. Cloning the arm out didn't work, so I used a lighting effect on a new layer to put the arm in heavier shadow. What do you think?

    13069093-M.jpg
    The careful man tries to dodge the bullets.... while the happy man takes a walk.
    Mark Oliver Everett
  • nadinadi Registered Users Posts: 54 Big grins
    edited December 22, 2004
    ginger_55 wrote:
    I was going to buy that framing set up, but it was sooo expensive, for me. I love it, especially as you used it. And I like your toning.

    ginger
    thanks ginger, really appreciate that coming from you! bowdown.gif

    the frame was part of a free sample with the October edition of Digital Photo magazine. You can supposedly get back issues here.
    The careful man tries to dodge the bullets.... while the happy man takes a walk.
    Mark Oliver Everett
  • jwearjwear Registered Users Posts: 8,009 Major grins
    edited December 22, 2004
    better, less distracting
    Jeff W

    “PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE ‘JAZZ’ FOR THE EYES…”

    http://jwear.smugmug.com/
  • yvonneyvonne Registered Users Posts: 193 Major grins
    edited December 23, 2004
    jwear wrote:
    better, less distracting
    No, I think it's worse! It looks false in a "this has obviously been doctored" kind of way.

    In all honesty, I think you have to accept that the shot has a composition problem due to the arm, and either a.) just crop in hard on head/shoulders, b.)graduate down to black for the lower part of the shot, or c.) leave it.


    You've got a really nice shot in the other one - I also like the framing.
    www.ybphotographic.com
  • nadinadi Registered Users Posts: 54 Big grins
    edited December 23, 2004
    Personally, I like the second one better anyway. I think I might go with that as my entry so far as its the less "controversial" option! rolleyes1.gif
    The careful man tries to dodge the bullets.... while the happy man takes a walk.
    Mark Oliver Everett
  • nadinadi Registered Users Posts: 54 Big grins
    edited December 24, 2004
    More options...
    .... but I don't like these as much as the first two....

    13118807-M.jpg



    13118806-M.jpg


    I know it may seem like I'm going overboard with the borders here, but I just think they go well on portraits..... ne_nau.gif
    The careful man tries to dodge the bullets.... while the happy man takes a walk.
    Mark Oliver Everett
  • SandySandy Registered Users Posts: 762 Major grins
    edited December 25, 2004
    Nadi, I would choose the smiling lady, I think it is your best shot.
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