Just wanted to drop a link of the additional shots I took for the portrait challenge. Input would be ever so helpful as I am looking to do some more real soon!
Great portrait series, worth a look for sure. Very emotional.
A couple of the shots are a little flat, play with levels, contrast and saturation a bit, I think it will help.
Some of the shots do look a little flat, lighting seems to have been your weak point in these, but overall they are great shots. My favorite is 'In Flight'.
Lighting is so tricky. I'm starting my struggle with it now that I am practicing indoor portraits.
can anyone define, please, exactly what they mean by flat and how it is flat. Exemplify a shot for me & how it is flat. Also, can you make suggestions on correcting this in the digital darkroom. Also, most of 'em were meant to shade the subject. The sun was off to the left of the subject.
Obviously, better lighting would have made it better.
Anyway, thanks for the suggestions & I hope I am not askng for too much!
I like the use of the cloth as a prop, but I think it conflicts with the casual choice of her clothing too much.
more light in her face would also improve these shots.
I am not sure about "flat" .. perhaps the use of light?
By flat I meant lacking contrast, your blacks weren't black, they were grey. I took the liberty of doing quick fixes on "Calm". Keep in mind they were 2 minute fixes, levels, contrast and color corrections, it can be done much better but to give you an idea....
your original
levels, color correction, sharpened and saturation
then converted to Black and white
By flat I meant lacking contrast, your blacks weren't black, they were grey. I took the liberty of doing quick fixes on "Calm". Keep in mind they were 2 minute fixes, levels, contrast and color corrections, it can be done much better but to give you an idea....
your original
levels, color correction, sharpened and saturation
then converted to Black and white
Thanks paige!
In PS7, I did a auto levels check & some I used the curves feature (not sure I know how to use or the benefits exactly of this) but I didn;t get the results you did. Pretty cool. I think I understand now.
Thanks!
KarenB, thanks for dropping a comment too. My sister said the same thing but I thought the clothes were true to the subject. I should have done a reshoot but I was too lazy the following day to go back. It was chilly by the water there!
Yeah, it was lots of fun! That shot was kinda scary actually! I've seen stuff like that before since my work has me organising & attending LOTS of demos & rallies. Unlike last year's rally, this one had cops & protesters working in harmony. Still We Rise worked out some sweet deal with 5-0 & things went smoothly.
You're welcome, Rooster.
I find that 99% of the time auto levels isn't the way to go, I always try it just to see what the computer wants to achieve, but usually go back and do the levels myself.
The curves tool is a difficult one, I have never figured it out. My digital photography teachers all swore by them though.
I too questioned the clothing, but came to the conclusion that they did work here, more of a modern look.
curves aren't too difficult. though I have to admit I couldn't begin to explain to you how I use them. There are plenty of tutorials that will help though.
