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The Ice Queen
The Ice Queen
riot


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Wallflower (Standard Editing)
Camera: Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Lens: Canon EF 50mm f1.2 L
Location: In a lift
Date: Dec 17, 2016
Aperture: 1.2
ISO: 250
Shutter: 1/60
Galleries: Emotive, Portraiture
Date Uploaded: Dec 18, 2016

 A spontaneous portrait of theicequeen herself, with the shallow depth of field of the 50mm f/1.2L.

Fluorescent lights do have their uses. This was shot in a lift, which has fluorescent tubes running vertically behind greenish glass on both sides. The quality of light is quite unique, giving a flat ring-flash-like effect of lighting without shadows, but adding a greenish colour cast from the fluorescent light that doesn't usually make it seem suitable for portraits. However, this time I wanted to express a distinctly wintery mood, and the lighting helped a lot with that.

I've recently switched to using the EC-S precision matte focusing screen, and I'm enjoying it a lot - it makes a huge difference when manually adjusting focus with lenses with such wide apertures as this and my Helios 85 f/1.5. Without it, I don't think I'd have been able to place the focal plane so confidently, quickly enough to capture the natural expression in this spontaneous portrait.

Editing was fairly minimal; a small crop to place the eyes and lips almost exactly on the golden sections. Curves to emphasise blues in the shadows (mainly the scarf and coat), reds in the lower midtones (especially the hair), and slightly raising all three of greens and reds and blues in slightly different areas of the highlights. Resize, and selective sharpen.

Statistics
Place: 13 out of 29
Avg (all users): 5.4878
Avg (commenters): 5.0000
Avg (participants): 4.7500
Avg (non-participants): 5.7931
Views since voting: 650
Views during voting: 93
Votes: 41
Comments: 3
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
Sony Alpha a1 II
Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS
 12/27/2016 03:11:02 PM
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes to the challenge

You’ve nailed that focus perfectly which, of course, is both essential and difficult the faster the lens and 1.2 is pretty fast! Indeed it’s that shallow focus that makes these lenses so unique but so often poorly handled with consequent dire results, this is a great example of how they can and should be used to good effect. It is a lovely portrait of a lovely girl, the lighting works very well indeed, well done for your seeing and quick reaction. In terms of the challenge brief I can see where your commenter is coming from and probably therefore the lower than deserved score and placing. Thanks for another excellent entry Eugene.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7000
Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4
 12/26/2016 12:16:49 AM
Rockin' portrait. The eyes have it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Canon EOS-5D Mark III
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM
 12/24/2016 06:01:33 PM
Just curious, but wouldn't an "ice queen" be the opposite of a "wallflower"? I think of a wallflower as a rather timid soul. Just my 2 cents.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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