Several things I really like about this image. A couple things would take it to the next level - gheller's comments about the background and left hand plus you might consider removing the beige bra straps in post.
Even without those changes, it's still a very nice capture!
That said, I absolutely love this backdrop and anytime I’ve pulled it out for this troupe they have all absolutely loved it. So much so that it is specifically requested throughout the year.
I do understand that trends, especially those of fashion, photography, and art change. So with that kept in mind, what exactly do you two have in mind as being an improvement?
LinuxHack3r wrote:
Thank you for the mostly compliments.
That said, I absolutely love this backdrop and anytime I’ve pulled it out for this troupe they have all absolutely loved it. So much so that it is specifically requested throughout the year.
I do understand that trends, especially those of fashion, photography, and art change. So with that kept in mind, what exactly do you two have in mind as being an improvement?
Regarding the muslin, just because people like it and request it doesn't mean it is the best choice (said with kindness, not in a condescending tone).
Kinda like when 1000s of people "like" an instagram photo even though it may be total cr@p, lol
Just speaking from decades of experience in studio...take it for what it is worth.
Best bet is to use a chromakey (blue is better than green) and have many backgrounds to choose from.
Sure, but you didn’t exactly answer my question other than “chromakey, so it could be anything in the world other than this”.
Since you seem to think that this background isn’t the best choice, what would you like better?
Couldn’t **all** photographs be better? Serious question. Maybe this photo should have been shot at the Grand Canyon during golden hour or the moon with Earth in the background.
This is very serious, by the way. I’m sincerely curious what dated aspect of the background made you think it could be upgraded, and I’m also wondering how you would upgrade it.
gheller wrote:
Regarding the muslin, just because people like it and request it doesn't mean it is the best choice (said with kindness, not in a condescending tone).
Kinda like when 1000s of people "like" an instagram photo even though it may be total cr@p, lol
Just speaking from decades of experience in studio...take it for what it is worth.
Best bet is to use a chromakey (blue is better than green) and have many backgrounds to choose from.
This is a superb portrait of a beautiful, lissome lady.
PS: I absolutely love gheller's critiques. They are almost always insightful and substantive. I don't always align with his views but his is the kind of high quality feedback that enriches this forum.
I certainly do too, and I always love constructive criticism. Here is the thing though. I personally would never look at this image or other images that I’ve shot in front of it and think to myself that the background takes away from the images. I’m just really curious what makes people think that the background detracts from the image. I’m very sincere about this, I use it all the time, just look at my Instagram to see proof. But if the people I do the shoots for love the backdrop and the results, who are to say it is good/bad?
I want people to love my images. It receives a lot of praise from those that I shoot in front of this backdrop, isn’t that accomplishing that? I’m not saying that perhaps there aren’t better backdrops or options out there, but what I am saying is that I personally love using this one for dancers.
I’m also one that typically tries to do as much as possible during shooting rather than post. I’ve never tried shooting in front of any sort of green screen.
Rajan Parrikar wrote:
This is a superb portrait of a beautiful, lissome lady.
PS: I absolutely love gheller's critiques. They are almost always insightful and substantive. I don't always align with his views but his is the kind of high quality feedback that enriches this forum.
Thanks Rajan for the shout out of support I am too old to sugar coat C&C - but I do give praise where due.
FWIW, for images I consider so-so or blah, I don't bother commenting.
This image has *a lot* going for it, thus my motivation to bring it to the next level.
That said, I don't think the color palette works for this style / outfit color. There is *way* too much going on in the background that detracts from the beautiful girl / pose.
That is why I would shoot with a chromakey and go thru many backgrounds until I found the one(s) that fit the subject.
Sorry I cannot be more specific, but restricting yourself to only one option seems to be less than ideal. Even if they like it, I would want to open up the options by shooting with a chroma.
If this is for work and not just an occasional fun thing, it would behoove you to learn to shoot this way. You are limiting your options; thus what you can offer potential clients.
gheller wrote:
Thanks Rajan for the shout out of support I am too old to sugar coat C&C - but I do give praise where due.
FWIW, for images I consider so-so or blah, I don't bother commenting.
This image has *a lot* going for it, thus my motivation to bring it to the next level.
That said, I don't think the color palette works for this style / outfit color. There is *way* too much going on in the background that detracts from the beautiful girl / pose.
That is why I would shoot with a chromakey and go thru many backgrounds until I found the one(s) that fit the subject.
Sorry I cannot be more specific, but restricting yourself to only one option seems to be less than ideal. Even if they like it, I would want to open up the options by shooting with a chroma.
If this is for work and not just an occasional fun thing, it would behoove you to learn to shoot this way. You are limiting your options; thus what you can offer potential clients.
Thanks for the additional input, and thanks for for considering my image worth commentating on.
So regarding distractions, is it something that a bit of additional separation or blur would solve? I've never shot chromakey at all. I'd love to try it, but I don't have a backdrop for it. That said, does it ever look believable? Most greenscreen stuff I've ever seen looks...fake.
Why do you say it looks dated? It is the specific styling/colors or the fact that it is traditional muslin period?
I think the back drop is just grim. It doesn't do justice to the posing efforts of the model. The notion that some people like it on instagram has nothing to do with the art of photography which is is what is discussed here.
I will mirror what Pitter stated concisely. I guess since I am used to seeing this style of background on senior portraits from decades ago, it just seems overused and dated.
All you need to shoot on a chromakey is a roll of blue paper (and some tutorial setting up the lighting for the paper). Use a steep light angle, or it will bounce back and give the model a blue glow. Keep model well away from the paper (at least 5 feet).
Then you will need some practice "extracting". If you do it properly, it will look every bit as good as a physical muslin.
I actually thought this is what you may have done on your image. See the slight halo around the (too dark) left hand? This is what it looks like with sloppy extracting.
Software these days is *really* good at this... even around whispy hair.
Try it out and post your results. Happy to assist in any way I can
gheller wrote:
I don't think the color palette works for this style / outfit color. There is *way* too much going on in the background that detracts from the beautiful girl / pose.
I agree. The main thing is the baby poo color vs her blue outfit and natural skin tones. It's not a complimentary color palette.
A simple non-replacement thing to tinker with would be to "select subject" in Photoshop, invert the selection and make it into a mask on a new adjustment layer - then do some kind of hue/sat color shift or similar to the BG only.
The chroma others are talking about just makes the above process easier (better selection/mask) but these also come with the potential of color contamination from reflective BG light, so it takes some work experience/practice to get it right.
Maybe the outfit colors work with the backdrop more and simply the blue clashes?
In that set, the first one is the only one that *barely* works due to the arms position matching the angles in the muslin and color palette matching better.
To me, when I see the same background used for everyone, it seems lazy... It shows more effort when you take the time and expertise to match the background to each outfit / pose / style
I meant to respond to this thread but accidentally responded to the other. Just wanted to voice my agreement with gheller on using the same background. One option I did mention is that you can adjust the colors of the bg to match the dancers, but even then, I might only do it once or twice. Just think it's better to change it up esp when you have a bg with that specific of a look.
I am too old to sugar coat C&C - but I do give praise where due.