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Here are two photos which are completely unrelated, but I would like feedback on.

The first was taken at Deck 23 (Dee Why) last Sunday when we had our anniversary brunch (the rest of the day was spent at my cricket grand final ). It was taken with ambient light at about f8. I wanted to avoid the blow out in the mirror, but given my lovely wife isn't too keen on my taking the camera out at restaurants/cafes, this was the only shot I took. The light on Sunday morning was pretty good, and this photo looked good printed out A4 (apart from the blown highlight). Minimal PP if any. (I would have loved a small reflector to Alicia's right to get a bit of lighting on the right side of her face).



This next photo was taken on the f90x with the Fuji 160 pro film, converted to monochrome. It was taken at Tunks Park (Northbridge). The histogram indicated there has been no clipping on the light side.




C&C appreciated.

P

Nice work Pat! I really like the first one of Alicia! A lovely portrait that will be on that is looked upon by generations to come I'm sure. The lighting isn't bad, sure it could be improved by the methods you describe in your post, but this is what it is, a candid take out the camera, aim and shoot. The look on Alicia's face is not one of annoyance or one of pleasure...somewhat of a musing, pondering, contemplative expression as she looks to you through the camera. Perhaps a tighter crop to eliminate more of the blown out mirror/window on the right (as you look at it) may help? I think this would also convert beautifully to a B&W with high contrast image!! There's certainly lots to like about this image! F8 seemed about right at the time, and the large DOF is nice for a change. Her pose is also perfect. Good stuff!

The 2nd image...hmmmm interesting leading lines, but if I had to judge the two, and being more of a portraiture man...the 1st leads by a mile

Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Geoff - I think nowadays, the look is more of resignation.

I was playing with the idea of a tighter crop, but thought either have the full chair in or none at all. For this version, I kept the full chair in, even though it meant keeping the blown highlight in. I have tried a B&W conversion with more contrast (with a slight gaussian blur overlay).

What do you think?



But, Geoff, I know you are used to portraits of people with no hair!

P

OK
I prefer the non cropped version, perhaps in B&W

First shot might have been improved if you used F2.8 instead of F8. The increased shutter speed would have resulted in a sharper image and the bigger F/stop would have blurred the background nicely. I encourage folk to use very big or very small F/stops more often because some get stuck on F8 as a safe, middle of the road F/stop. Second shot lacks a 'visual hook'. IE, which part of the image are you wanting me to look at? Every image needs a hook. And yes, I am being tough. I do like the overall colours in the first pic and prefer the coloured pic to the B&W.

Thanks for the feedback Matt & Geoff. I would have liked to have set up the portrait better and I can see what you mean by the use of 2.8.

P

I prefer the original color version to the B&W, you seem to have lost something in the conversion

as far as crop goes, to tell the story of the moment you need to retain most of the background. most the people, the table, the salt and pepper, the cutlery
with that in mind I would crop somewhere through the cutlery on the table and lose whatever is required off the bottom for the aspect ratio (keep the space over Alicia's head)

firsty wrote:I prefer the original color version to the B&W, you seem to have lost something in the conversion

as far as crop goes, to tell the story of the moment you need to retain most of the background. most the people, the table, the salt and pepper, the cutlery
with that in mind I would crop somewhere through the cutlery on the table and lose whatever is required off the bottom for the aspect ratio (keep the space over Alicia's head)

Thanks Keith - I may give that a go, as well as a B&W conversion of same, and then see how it prints.

Cheers

P

Prefer the original as well over the b&w...no i'm not hopping on the bandwagon

I think if you really wanted to crop it, try going for a square crop. Congratulations on your anniversary by the way Hope you had a great brunch.