Fell in love with an ass

rutt

I already entered it, because it just appealed to me on so many levels. But I'd love feedback. Perhaps I should take to the whipping post?

jamism

hmmm, maybe more of a vertical crop rather of square... and i kinda wish i could see more of her face.

but i like the idea, made me laugh.

**edit:

Laugh in a good way .

Phyxius

Haha, Midsummer's Night Dream? Lovely on pointe ballerina and the ass is cute too, I like the flowers in his hair.

rutt

Phyxius wrote:

Haha, Midsummer's Night Dream? Lovely on pointe ballerina and the ass is cute too, I like the flowers in his hair.

She put them there when she first woke up and saw him after being dusted with the magic flower...

rutt

jamism wrote:

hmmm, maybe more of a vertical crop rather of square... and i kinda wish i could see more of her face.

Like that one better? I don't know; I think the first one is a lot more dramatic in terms of ballet position and what it shows about the relationship of Titania and Bottom at this exact moment.

LilleG

I prefer the first one. Much more dramatic. I like it! But I also think that it could use a bit more vertical cropping.

rutt

And this one:



And here is that first shot with a more vertical crop.


Looks like the best to me. Best ballet position and most expressive of Titania's adoration of Bottom.

Thanks for the critique.

El Kiwi

I definitely like the first photo with the more vertical crop - the composition seems a lot more balanced. Lovely shot, your ballet shots are incredible.

wxwax

Yes, the vertical crop definitely works better, the original framing felt too centered.

Other than capturing a very nice moment, Rutt, I also really appreciate the work you did to make her skin tones look natural under extremely challenging lighting conditions. Super job.

rutt

Better with a darker background?

ladylaura

I don't like the darker background because the whisps of brown give it more depth and appeal (IMHO), but I do like the vertical crop.

However, I really like the one where she is flatt footed. I love the line of her leg, but her bent left and and the crookedness of the ass' leg make a great juxtaposition of lines. It creates more tension even though they are obviously very graceful.

wxwax

rutt wrote:

Better with a darker background?

Not for me. But that may be because you changed other things too.

LilleG

You have some really nice shots there. But of them all, I prefer the new crop for the first one and the original background.

El Kiwi

I agree about the background - the original works better. I'm not sure why, I would have expected the higher contrast of her pose to work better against a dark background, but I prefer the original.

xris

El Kiwi wrote:

I agree about the background - the original works better. I'm not sure why, I would have expected the higher contrast of her pose to work better against a dark background, but I prefer the original.

I agree. Original works far better. The negative space gives some breathing room to the dancers. Adds a bit of mystery to the shot. The verticle crop is, IMHO, for too constrained. Very nice shot. I'd love to know what a dance expert says about the technique. If it's good dance technique then you have a great dance shot for your book, I'd say!

rutt

I'm thinking that dark background was too much of a good thing. So I reduced the opacity of the last move (selective color / black to crush the background.)

LilleG

I like! IMO, this one is a keeper.

xris

LilleG wrote:

I like! IMO, this one is a keeper.

Definitely a good shot. But consider this. By cropping in so close on the left, not only are you crowding her style, but you're subtly shifting the focal point to her lower body. By opening up more on the left you create some negative space
to balance the scene and shift the focal point back to the pair of dancers. To my eye, the first try is still the best. And it's a great shot at that!

twinbnj

Great shot wonderful title - I like the darker BG less distracting.