This is what I do to pass time.
`Converted to b/w using desaturation.
`Brightened/contrast
`duplicated the background layer
`selected just the blinds and darkened them
`in blending options: brought the opacity with the duplicated layer down to 50%
`flattened the two images
`sharpened and resized
A perfect and beautiful portrayal -- through tones and shades and composition and placement -- of being lost somewhere, somewhere other than where you are. Before we could "go" on the Internet, we could disappear into a book. And we still can. Lovely.
Hmn. Guess I'm the only one unsure of the framing. I look at you, the subject, your gaze on the book, and beyond that the light lines on the floor leading ever so nicely to the corner. It is a great dynamic that would be brought out more effectively if the curtain rail, so nicely leveled and centred, were not there. So I guess I'm suggesting a crop -exactly how much I don't know. And now I can say I like this a lot, and the boots and e301's comment.
e301 I had to read you comment several times to take it all in. How sad is that ..hahaha.. My boots rock! Thank you for taking the time to comment as you did.
jdannels wow, see..I didn't see the jagged edge on the chair. Seems to only be in the bright area though. I didn't sharpen to much..hmm..wonder if it is from the bright background..interesting or maybe the lines from the shade.
Hmm, trying to find more constructive things to say... I notice that the photo seems slightly over sharpened specifically in the high contrast area of the dark chair and the blinds, you get little jagged edges, usually from over sharpening or from a small file size(yours photo is only 114 kb) maybe trying up that a bit. honestly I see few faults with the execution, perhaps a reflector to throw some light back onto the part of you in shadow, but I like the dark parts too. :)
Really like the lighting in this shot, this has such a relaxed easy going feel to it, makes me want to go grab a book. Great composition and just an all around great pic!
I'm so glad you decided to join in this challenge. This has a peaceful relaxed feel to it, and looks like a great place to read. Wonderful window for light, too. And I have boots just like those, I think!
I'm amazed at how good the exposure is of you with the blinds so close in the background. You say that you darkened them, but I still see some detail there, so they couldn't have been completely blown out. Very nice photo.
I like the lighting, framing and tones. A picture to hand down to the grandkids...when they come, to show them how grandma use to spend her spare moment.
Not really knowing what the point of self-portraits is, I have to say I like this; I like the unlikeliness of those boots, as mentioned elsewhere, and I particularly like that you haven't 'corrected' the light through the blinds. What's wrong with it anyway? A little illuminant arrow pointing at the subject ... glory in it, I say. I like the absolute straightness of the curtain pole, too, and the hazed idea of windows behind the curtains - all those layers of increasing restriction of light, like the greatest cinema you never went to.
There's an absoluteness to it too: a stripping down to bare essentials. What more does one need than a favourite chair, a book, and good light to read by? Well, apart from good boots, that is? I'd need a notebook, and a table with a drink. At the very least.
And finally: this is properly black and white photography, to my eye. It's all, absolutely, about light. Does anyone else who looks at this care what colour any of the stuff in this shot is? That carpet could be a livid shade of neon green, for all we know ... this makes this scene be about form - about the rigidity of the windows, the more fluid but somehow obdurate structure of the chair, and finally a certain organic softness in that female form. And if you look at it like that, the boots make absolute sense, do they not?
I like this very much. It reminds me of a photo of Ursula's that I like alot of a girl silhouetted in front of a pretty window reading. There's something that looks really nostalgic and old timey about this that adds to the draw and feel of the photo. It makes me wish I was at home and had a little time to sit and read. It affects my heart that way :)
hahahah!!! I have been a member for a few years. ;-)
Originally posted by Ecce Signum:
Seriously Soni, love the sp and that chair looks cool and Bud has it right, strong backlighting that doesn't over power, was this a thought for the 'framed' challenge? 2 niggles if I may? do you always read with walking boots on and not sure about the reflection on the carpet bottom right.
I wasn't thinking of the "framed" challenge when I shot this this morning. Was sitting on the couch reading and looked up and noticed the cool contrast and grabbed my camera.
And yes I read while wearing my boots. It is freezing outside and I was getting ready to head out the door for milk and such.
The reflection is from the light peaking through the shades..thought about that while taking it and left it the way it was. I guess I should have fixed that.
Seriously Soni, love the sp and that chair looks cool and Bud has it right, strong backlighting that doesn't over power, was this a thought for the 'framed' challenge? 2 niggles if I may? do you always read with walking boots on and not sure about the reflection on the carpet bottom right.
Am looking forward to the blinds opening and seeing the panoramic view that must be behind them ;)
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