p.1 #2 · Went to a friends daughters 1 year old birthday party....
Herb, I really like this, I think it's a keeper that would look good printed big. It's got a gradient of artfully blown-out to normal exposure, left to right, that I find pleasing. When I look at it full-screen, though, I want to see this image without mom. Try a square crop, just for grins. I'd like to know how this was lit.
p.1 #5 · Went to a friends daughters 1 year old birthday party....
I think I "get" the intended drama from the extreme contrast and the blown out attributes, but for me, the image is less effective simply because there is so much of the child's face that has no detail. I believe images are effective when they express emotion and you need the lines on their face, position of their eyebrows, etc. to really bring that home.
I'd love to see the same images but with 15% less of the effect, keep them dramatic with the whites pushed like crazy but bring the overall exposure down a little (even if only selectively on the face) to get some skin detail back.
p.1 #8 · Went to a friends daughters 1 year old birthday party....
Herb wrote:
Quite the contrary......but thanks for your comment
From your description, the shooting conditions sound problematic. It's hard to imagine a traditional rendering of the photo not having some troubles, the very troubles that led you to this rendering.
I think the high key look would be a good avenue for you to explore under more controlled conditions. With proper lighting, you could get the same overall feel while retaining highlights. This could be done with near normal exposure and processing. IIRC, you have some lighting equipment. It would be a good project for you to pursue.
p.1 #10 · Went to a friends daughters 1 year old birthday party....
coreybell wrote:
I like the first photo best Herb, conversion is nice.
Thanks, I know that this look is not for everyone, it was a look my daughter introduced to me as she processed a number of her photos b&w with this type of over exposure to them......it's different.....
p.1 #11 · Went to a friends daughters 1 year old birthday party....
dmacmillan wrote:
From your description, the shooting conditions sound problematic. It's hard to imagine a traditional rendering of the photo not having some troubles, the very troubles that led you to this rendering.
I think the high key look would be a good avenue for you to explore under more controlled conditions. With proper lighting, you could get the same overall feel while retaining highlights. This could be done with near normal exposure and processing. IIRC, you have some lighting equipment. It would be a good project for you to pursue.
While your suggestions have merit, coming to a birthday party as guests and not a photographic assignment meant we just brought our cameras and shot what we could. As a guest I don't think it is my right to take over the party and start moving people and lighting equipment around. Seems to me you get what you can.....
p.1 #12 · Went to a friends daughters 1 year old birthday party....
Herb,
I believe you misunderstood the project I was suggesting. It is unrelated to the birthday and the subject. I surmised you were interested in the high key effect.
You love photography. You have a nice complement of gear, and I think you like to try new things. The project I proposed was to further explore high key by first studying the look, the techniques to achieve it, then experimenting in your home studio to get the look.
Personally, I don't think the effect is best used in an FPJ situation. I guess I'm a traditionalist. Look at some of the great work on Chuck Canerino's mega FPJ thread. Most of the work there is straightforward photography and processing. That's what I like to see and use for family events.
I've gotten to the point that I leave the DSLR at home and either use a pocket camera or even my iPhone to capture birthdays and holidays. I just want a nice, clean record of the event, nothing fancy.
p.1 #13 · Went to a friends daughters 1 year old birthday party....
dmacmillan wrote:
Herb,
I believe you misunderstood the project I was suggesting. It is unrelated to the birthday and the subject. I surmised you were interested in the high key effect.
You love photography. You have a nice complement of gear, and I think you like to try new things. The project I proposed was to further explore high key by first studying the look, the techniques to achieve it, then experimenting in your home studio to get the look.
Personally, I don't think the effect is best used in an FPJ situation. I guess I'm a traditionalist. Look at some of the great work on Chuck Canerino's mega FPJ thread. Most of the work there is straightforward photography and processing. That's what I like to see and use for family events.
I've gotten to the point that I leave the DSLR at home and either use a pocket camera or even my iPhone to capture birthdays and holidays. I just want a nice, clean record of the event, nothing fancy....Show more →
Copy that! Thanks for the suggestions, I will take a look....
