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Archive 2010Chuck - Today's Senior Session
p.1 #1Chuck - Today's Senior Session
Comments/critiques welcome. 
#1
http://fredmiranda.adamsonstudios.com.s3.amazonaws.com/chuck/_D3A4143.jpg
#2
http://fredmiranda.adamsonstudios.com.s3.amazonaws.com/chuck/_D3A4162.jpg
#3
http://fredmiranda.adamsonstudios.com.s3.amazonaws.com/chuck/_D3A4208.jpg
#4
http://fredmiranda.adamsonstudios.com.s3.amazonaws.com/chuck/_D3A4260.jpg
#5
http://fredmiranda.adamsonstudios.com.s3.amazonaws.com/chuck/_D3A4323.jpg
#6
http://fredmiranda.adamsonstudios.com.s3.amazonaws.com/chuck/_D3A4361.jpg
#1
http://fredmiranda.adamsonstudios.com.s3.amazonaws.com/chuck/_D3A4143.jpg
#2
http://fredmiranda.adamsonstudios.com.s3.amazonaws.com/chuck/_D3A4162.jpg
#3
http://fredmiranda.adamsonstudios.com.s3.amazonaws.com/chuck/_D3A4208.jpg
#4
http://fredmiranda.adamsonstudios.com.s3.amazonaws.com/chuck/_D3A4260.jpg
#5
http://fredmiranda.adamsonstudios.com.s3.amazonaws.com/chuck/_D3A4323.jpg
#6
http://fredmiranda.adamsonstudios.com.s3.amazonaws.com/chuck/_D3A4361.jpg
Oct 09, 2010 at 06:20 PM
p.1 #2Chuck - Today's Senior Session
Pretty straight forward shots and well done. #4 is my favorite.
nice work
nice work
Oct 09, 2010 at 06:22 PM
p.1 #6Chuck - Today's Senior Session
Steve and Jim, thanks for stopping by.
Oct 10, 2010 at 06:02 PM
p.1 #7Chuck - Today's Senior Session
Very nice work, Todd. I saw the first one and immediately thought "Bond - James Bond". I can't imagine he and his parents not being pleased with that one in particular.
Trying to be helpful - not demeaning in any way - I will just note some minor things that I noticed:
#1 - I would be tempted to clone that out of focus highlight that creeps out from his arm just above the elbow. It did catch my eye.
#2 - Seems like it could use a touch more contrast or maybe a very slight darkening of the face. May be the way it contrasts with the others or maybe the more diffuse lighting that makes me think that.
#3 - I do find the repetitive pattern of the out of focus fence to be a bit eye-catching as well as the dark OOF patch to the left of his face.
$4 & 6 - The toothy smiles look just a little bit forced/fake to me but I don't know the young man so hard to say.
Again, not trying to crap on your pics - just trying to point out what caught my eye (and show you I was paying attention ). They are all minor things.
I can't imagine he and his parents not being pleased with that one in particular.Trying to be helpful - not demeaning in any way - I will just note some minor things that I noticed:
#1 - I would be tempted to clone that out of focus highlight that creeps out from his arm just above the elbow. It did catch my eye.
#2 - Seems like it could use a touch more contrast or maybe a very slight darkening of the face. May be the way it contrasts with the others or maybe the more diffuse lighting that makes me think that.
#3 - I do find the repetitive pattern of the out of focus fence to be a bit eye-catching as well as the dark OOF patch to the left of his face.
$4 & 6 - The toothy smiles look just a little bit forced/fake to me but I don't know the young man so hard to say.
Again, not trying to crap on your pics - just trying to point out what caught my eye (and show you I was paying attention
). They are all minor things.Oct 10, 2010 at 06:15 PM
p.1 #8Chuck - Today's Senior Session
Dennis, no worries at all, I appreciate all thoughts, and thanks for going to the trouble with the details. I take your point on #1, and I also think #2 needs something...it has a strong compression effect from the long focal length, and I think that's what you're seeing. I did process it differently than #1, which was actually shot with a longer focal length, so it might have something to do with my post-work, not sure.
On #3 I am in love with the boke, but not everyone will agree. There's a small building in the background, and its one window is what's making the dark spot.....you can see the edge of its blue roof, too, in the upper left corner.
As to the smiles, we'll have to let mom decide on that one. My impression, from spending a bit of time with him, is that his smile is very natural in #4, and maybe not so much in #6.
On #3 I am in love with the boke, but not everyone will agree. There's a small building in the background, and its one window is what's making the dark spot.....you can see the edge of its blue roof, too, in the upper left corner.
As to the smiles, we'll have to let mom decide on that one. My impression, from spending a bit of time with him, is that his smile is very natural in #4, and maybe not so much in #6.
Oct 10, 2010 at 06:32 PM
p.1 #9Chuck - Today's Senior Session
Todd Adamson wrote:
My impression, from spending a bit of time with him, is that his smile is very natural in #4, and maybe not so much in #6.
Funny you say that because I almost wrote that I thought #4 appeared a bit more natural. I think it is that microscopic additional bit of space between his teeth and lips that helps along with a more natural head position.
My impression, from spending a bit of time with him, is that his smile is very natural in #4, and maybe not so much in #6.
Funny you say that because I almost wrote that I thought #4 appeared a bit more natural. I think it is that microscopic additional bit of space between his teeth and lips that helps along with a more natural head position.
Oct 10, 2010 at 06:40 PM
p.1 #10Chuck - Today's Senior Session
Very nice, 1 and 4 are my favs. I love #3 except for the crop. Is it just me, or does the fact that his head is cropped in this one make his neck look about 14" long?
Oct 11, 2010 at 08:49 AM
p.1 #11Chuck - Today's Senior Session
ScooberJake wrote:
Very nice, 1 and 4 are my favs. I love #3 except for the crop. Is it just me, or does the fact that his head is cropped in this one make his neck look about 14" long?
Thanks!
His neck is fairly long/thin. I doubt the crop has anything to do with it. If anything, it may be because I shot from a slightly lower angle than I should have.
Very nice, 1 and 4 are my favs. I love #3 except for the crop. Is it just me, or does the fact that his head is cropped in this one make his neck look about 14" long?
Thanks!
His neck is fairly long/thin. I doubt the crop has anything to do with it. If anything, it may be because I shot from a slightly lower angle than I should have.
Oct 11, 2010 at 08:55 AM
p.1 #12Chuck - Today's Senior Session
1 - Best in show. Love the bokeh and the way his eyes pop.
2 - Not crazy about the light flattening his face.
3 - Nice
4 < 3
5 - Good, think I'd prefer straight BW or more sepia tone.
6 < 4
2 - Not crazy about the light flattening his face.
3 - Nice
4 < 3
5 - Good, think I'd prefer straight BW or more sepia tone.
6 < 4
Oct 11, 2010 at 09:18 AM
p.1 #13Chuck - Today's Senior Session
I'll play... As I've observed before I love your work and envy you the fact you have young, willing subjects who will look squarely into the lens of the camera. On those rare occasions when a friend will meet me like that it gives great pleasure. I know that for you it is part of your professional life, but I imagine you take great satisfaction in what you're doing as well.
I appreciate the detailed observations made by a number of folks since they help me bring a more discerning eye to the photos. But I also respond to the emotional feeling of the image. For that I find the softness of the eyes in photos 3 and 4 most attractive, with 3 likely my favorite
1- Very nice shot, though with Dennis' comment all I can now see is the blur at the elbow... My first reaction to the image is I'd like to see the young man slightly off center to the left rather than in the precise middle of the frame. Perhaps it is the luscious gold bokeh in front of the boy that appeals to me. I'm not certain the reason for this suggestion.
2- The coloring in the face definitely feels off as though too much light has been used.
3- As I said this is my favorite both for the young man's expression but also for the lovely colors, especially those found in the creamy bokeh.
5- My eye is drawn to the dark tree trunk behind the young man's face. I might have stepped to the right so his face would be framed by softer bokeh in the distant foliage. I like the pose and the way you've cropped the image otherwise. And I like both of your BW conversions. I tend to use a duotone process with a touch more brown in it, but such thinks are very personal and I imagine you have a better reading of what the market wants than I do.
6- Lovely composition and great colors but the young man's face seems a bit stiff to me, as though I can't quite trust either the smile or the soft eyes.
Thanks Todd for giving us the opportunity to comment on your work. You make a great contribution to this site in many ways, not least by sharing the outstanding photos you create.
I appreciate the detailed observations made by a number of folks since they help me bring a more discerning eye to the photos. But I also respond to the emotional feeling of the image. For that I find the softness of the eyes in photos 3 and 4 most attractive, with 3 likely my favorite
1- Very nice shot, though with Dennis' comment all I can now see is the blur at the elbow... My first reaction to the image is I'd like to see the young man slightly off center to the left rather than in the precise middle of the frame. Perhaps it is the luscious gold bokeh in front of the boy that appeals to me. I'm not certain the reason for this suggestion.
2- The coloring in the face definitely feels off as though too much light has been used.
3- As I said this is my favorite both for the young man's expression but also for the lovely colors, especially those found in the creamy bokeh.
5- My eye is drawn to the dark tree trunk behind the young man's face. I might have stepped to the right so his face would be framed by softer bokeh in the distant foliage. I like the pose and the way you've cropped the image otherwise. And I like both of your BW conversions. I tend to use a duotone process with a touch more brown in it, but such thinks are very personal and I imagine you have a better reading of what the market wants than I do.
6- Lovely composition and great colors but the young man's face seems a bit stiff to me, as though I can't quite trust either the smile or the soft eyes.
Thanks Todd for giving us the opportunity to comment on your work. You make a great contribution to this site in many ways, not least by sharing the outstanding photos you create.
Oct 12, 2010 at 04:02 PM
p.1 #14Chuck - Today's Senior Session
I like the 4th! the tones are great. Great dof usage.
PLUS he's super cute.
Meri
PLUS he's super cute.
Meri
Oct 12, 2010 at 04:26 PM
p.1 #15Chuck - Today's Senior Session
meriirem wrote:
I like the 4th! the tones are great. Great dof usage.
PLUS he's super cute.
Meri
Thanks, Meri! He kinda reminds of Michael Cera
Justin and Curtis, thanks for detailed rundown.
I have a feeling #2 could be much better if I started over with the P/P. It had a faded cross-process applied to it at one point, and that's where the funky color is coming from. It also looks a bit dimensionless to me, and I am curious to know if a rework would alleviate that.
Curtis, #3 is my favorite as well. I am right with you on #6. I loved the colors and composition so much that I was perhaps a bit too permissive on what I would call a good expression. It does look a little forced. I don't know if you looked at EXIF, but since I know you are interested, the first two images were shot with the Nikkor 70-200, and the last four were done with the Zeiss 100 Makro-Planar. That lens has a definite learning curve, but I am really starting to like it.
I like the 4th! the tones are great. Great dof usage.
PLUS he's super cute.
Meri
Thanks, Meri! He kinda reminds of Michael Cera
Justin and Curtis, thanks for detailed rundown.
I have a feeling #2 could be much better if I started over with the P/P. It had a faded cross-process applied to it at one point, and that's where the funky color is coming from. It also looks a bit dimensionless to me, and I am curious to know if a rework would alleviate that.
Curtis, #3 is my favorite as well. I am right with you on #6. I loved the colors and composition so much that I was perhaps a bit too permissive on what I would call a good expression. It does look a little forced. I don't know if you looked at EXIF, but since I know you are interested, the first two images were shot with the Nikkor 70-200, and the last four were done with the Zeiss 100 Makro-Planar. That lens has a definite learning curve, but I am really starting to like it.
Oct 12, 2010 at 04:43 PM
p.1 #16Chuck - Today's Senior Session
nice, clean photography! i'm guessing that mom will love these shots and buy lots of prints off of you!
Oct 12, 2010 at 05:09 PM
p.1 #17Chuck - Today's Senior Session
Really nice clean work. My only critique would be that the later shots in the series really seem to emphasize the length of his neck, particularly because the posing is somewhat repetitive. I'm curious as to whether getting him seated, or in some other angles might "normalize" the neck a bit. It just really emphasizes his lankiness.
Oct 12, 2010 at 05:32 PM
p.1 #18Chuck - Today's Senior Session
Quick question:
On shots 5 and 6, were you using the 85mm f/1.4G lens?
On shots 5 and 6, were you using the 85mm f/1.4G lens?
Oct 12, 2010 at 06:22 PM
p.1 #19Chuck - Today's Senior Session
Thanks Chuck, and Evan! I agree about the neck, Evan, and do have some other poses that don't emphasize it. I might try to process one to add here. TBH, this is where my shooting was flawed that day: I was shooting slightly too low on several shots. I have tried to get away from using a center column on my tripod, but it makes it more tedious to get the right height, so I think I am going to just go ahead and use it for portrait stuff in the future.
Oct 12, 2010 at 06:34 PM
p.1 #20Chuck - Today's Senior Session
irish-george wrote:
Quick question:
On shots 5 and 6, were you using the 85mm f/1.4G lens?
No. I was using the Zeiss 100 f/2 Makro-Planar. It's FAR SUPERIOR to the 85G in all cases.
Hehe, I am kidding about that "far superior" thing....just a little inside joke for my buds in the Nikon forum.
It is a sweet lens, though. All EXIF remains intact for these images, I believe.
Quick question:
On shots 5 and 6, were you using the 85mm f/1.4G lens?
No. I was using the Zeiss 100 f/2 Makro-Planar. It's FAR SUPERIOR to the 85G in all cases.
Hehe, I am kidding about that "far superior" thing....just a little inside joke for my buds in the Nikon forum.
It is a sweet lens, though. All EXIF remains intact for these images, I believe.Oct 12, 2010 at 06:36 PM