3rd ever challenge. I\\\'m so glad to have my camera back!
Editing included curves, hue/saturation, dodge/burn and cloning little details.
Had to do a self portrait since I don't have very many people willing to pose for me.
My goal is a 6, I really hope I make it, I put so much effort into trying to get this right.
Edit: Well I didn't get it. Oh well. I'm wondering how the face is distorted though, I just don't see it...also I have a p&s, so wide angle isn't really a choice.
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Hi, as requested, here is an indepth critique of your submission.
First Impression - the most important one: If I had such a lovely model standing in my mirror, I'd never use anyone else ;-)
Seriously, I thought it was a very good portrait. Loved the eyes. I only wish you had applied a bit more USM after resize.
Composition: Works well. It's tight, but not so tight it makes me feel closterphobic. I think it is bold and "in-your-face". It deifinitely brings attention to your lovely eyes. (ok, I will "try" to quit flirting) :-)
Subject: Usually, in a portrait, the subject is the person posing. I think you've gone as far as perhaps making your eyes the subject of the image. That's what I'm getting, anyway. The framing of the hair has really brought attention to them.
Technical (Color, focus, and light): Color looks good to me. But may be just a little flat. Might want to be a bit more agressive with the curves.
Focus: A tiny bit soft, but perhaps just needed a bit more USM in post.DoF might have been just a bit too shallow also.
Lighting: Also, just a bit flat, but with the more agressive curve would have popped a bit more.
To grow its vote?: A few technicals perhaps held you down. You beat me and portrait photography is what I do.
Summary: [flirt on] Stunning, beautiful self-portrait. You can't pay for much prettier models. Those eyes kill me.[/flirt off]
I'm with Yanko and eschalar, this was highly under-rated. But, a few technicals could have popped you up a point or two. I think you did a great job, using a P&S.
[firt on]Here's to hoping we see more self-portraits from you :-) [/firt off again].
oh BTW:
Originally posted by moniepenny:
Edit: Well I didn't get it. Oh well. I'm wondering how the face is distorted though, I just don't see it...also I have a p&s, so wide angle isn't really a choice.
I believe the "distortion" is a bit of misunderstanding of your uniquie PoV. Some might not like the "in-your-face" short focal length, close camera PoV.
Generally, portraits are shot with a less-wide zoom than you have used.
Highly underrated. Your pose is fantastic. Makeup is very good, hair is gorgeous, the angle is great. The lighting is absolutely appropriate to the picture. She's extremely beautiful too... This is a VERY flattering angle for this picture.
The only thing I'm concerned by is a slight unnaturalness in your eyes. Tough to say for sure though. Did you whiten with visine or dodge?
There seems to be a bit of a softness to the picture though that makes me feel like there could have been a bit more sharpening or contrast... Your skin seems a bit in-between. Not really soft, and not really sharp. That does have the potential to look good, but I don't think it's a positive here. I am currently trying to understand how so I can make better pictures myself. I suspect that what other's have said about flat lighting may have been a contributing factor...
I think this pic would be very fun with a light touch of ethereal glow. You've got fabluous cheekbones for it.
This is underrated, IMO. I don't mind the wide angle perspective even if it's not typically used in portraits, it seems to put more emphasis on the shape of the face. The shot does have fairly low contrast, though, so processing a little more to increase it would help. Nice model though :p
This is a perfect example why a wide lens is normally not used in portrait photography, it makes the things closest to the camera seem much bigger than the rest and isn´t flattering to most subjects. Try backing off next time and using a longer lens and I´ll bet you´ll like the results much better...
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