Great idea, but I cannot see any separation between Lamia and the background/jacket; all the blacks blend together.
I think that, if this was the intent, then earth toned objects behind her are a distraction. If however this is intended to be more painterly than the background or her hair & jacket need some more detail and a shade lighter than the other.
If you are looking for a Rembrandt style then you need more earth tones (and a harder focus)... most painters included a lush and detailed background or at minimum s textured backdrop to give the subject context...
I keep going back to look again, trying to understand why the captivation. I keep looking at the softness, even out of focus-ness, of the lips and eyes compared to the sharpness of the glass and her ring,... yet the eyes have/give the impression of a sharp, piercing intensity.
I referenced this photo in another thread so I just thought I'd bump this sublime image to the top again.
I am completely captivated by this image as is a lady friend who is my muse. We both find this image stunning and compelling, even (perhaps especially) the more time goes on.
Geo31 wrote:
I referenced this photo in another thread so I just thought I'd bump this sublime image to the top again.
I am completely captivated by this image as is a lady friend who is my muse. We both find this image stunning and compelling, even (perhaps especially) the more time goes on.
It is very stunning and compelling. It would look great up-sized and on a living room or den wall! Very dramatic and almost hypnotizing. Excellent work.
Pandacat wrote:
I keep going back to look again, trying to understand why the captivation. I keep looking at the softness, even out of focus-ness, of the lips and eyes compared to the sharpness of the glass and her ring,... yet the eyes have/give the impression of a sharp, piercing intensity.
Yes, I think her face being slightly soft, vs the glass, is part of the magic. Very interesting way to break the rules.
I also think that, perhaps, the slightly yellow skin tone of her face adds to the "old oil painting" look, even though it is also technically incorrect.
It appears that the sharpest part of the image is the glass or ring on her finger. I then thought she was modeling jewelry. This was a distraction for me from the beautiful image. If it were my image I would soften the glass and ring.
Cableaddict wrote:
Yes, I think her face being slightly soft, vs the glass, is part of the magic. Very interesting way to break the rules.
I also think that, perhaps, the slightly yellow skin tone of her face adds to the "old oil painting" look, even though it is also technically incorrect.
Yes!! Exactly!
There are threads floating around here about breaking the rules and being creative and teaching, etc., etc., etc. This image breaks a few rules, yet I find it far and away the most compelling and beautiful image I personally have seen on this forum in the time I've been here. It may be the most beautiful "people" photo I've personally seen in the 33 years I've been a photographer and I came close to doing this for a living.
