A Geisha photo....need some thoughts.

TIMartin said:

Ian,
This is a really good shot, most (if not all) of us have left our
exposure compensation from a previous shot. I wish that Nikon
could implement a time-out attribute with some (or all
settings)...so that if you haven't taken a shot for say 15 minutes,
it at least blinks that you still have it set to that strange
value.

Click to expand...

It does show that exposure comp has been altered, all you have to do is look at the top screen

It shows both Flash and exposure comp if altered, in their respective places.

Jane

I like both versions if not compared to each other. Otherwize, I prefer the color. Very nice!

Jane

ianz28 said:

....I just muttered "sashin daijobu des ka?" and
took 2 pictures.

Click to expand...

What does that mean exactly? From what I've gathered from a hobby of mine - anime - that "daijobu des ka" means something like "everything all right?" But I would bet that I'm wrong..

Once I was trekking with a couple of friends in Lapland in a quite popular part of woods and the only people we saw during that 4 day hike was a group of Japanese men and women. We met in a cottage when they came there and we were just leaving. I had my p&s camera with me, which I knew wouldn't do very well indoors so I dumped the idea to do portraits of them and send them the photos afterwards as a gift... But I've regretted my cowardice many, many times and wouldn't want to regret a possibility like that again!

Now, I'd like to know some phrases with which you could politely introduce yourself and ask a permission to photograph someone in Japanese Just the basics, please. First of all, what does that mean what you said to the young lady?

I'd be very happy to hear any suggestions - especially from someone who speaks Japanese Thanks in advance!

ianz28 said:

I could use your thoughts on this image. What works
best? The B&W version or Color. What about critiquing the image
in general. How is the contrast, subject, comp?

Click to expand...

The colors are so beautiful and emphasize the face in such a way I wouldn't even consider the BW version.. The BW one would need a lot of burning in my opinion, or maybe a contrast boost with an S-curve. Have you tried Greg Gorman's tricks in BW-conversion? I'll post a link:
http://www.gormanphotography.com/gorman.html

Just press the 'learn' button.. On the other hand, I have it as a photoshop action - I'm not sure where I got it, though Must've been via the forum here..

Janne Mankila

Sorry to butt in...

J Mankila said:

ianz28 said:

....I just muttered "sashin daijobu des ka?" and
took 2 pictures.

Click to expand...

What does that mean exactly? From what I've gathered from a hobby
of mine - anime - that "daijobu des ka" means something like
"everything all right?" But I would bet that I'm wrong..

Click to expand...

In some some contexts, that is exactly what "daijobu desu ka" means. In other cases, one can use it to ask permission, as in "it is OK to take a pic?" Remove the "ka" (the Japanese version of the question mark), and it becomes "its fine [OK, cool]".

J Mankila said:

Once I was trekking with a couple of friends in Lapland in a quite
popular part of woods and the only people we saw during that 4 day
hike was a group of Japanese men and women. We met in a cottage
when they came there and we were just leaving. I had my p&s camera
with me, which I knew wouldn't do very well indoors so I dumped the
idea to do portraits of them and send them the photos afterwards as
a gift... But I've regretted my cowardice many, many times and
wouldn't want to regret a possibility like that again!

Click to expand...

The Japanese are often BIG on taking portraits to commemorate an event, so it is usually Ok to ask. In some cases, Japanese tourists will go to see some unique and very photogenic place hefting a camera, but in the end only take a pic of their friends with the place as a back drop.

J Mankila said:

Now, I'd like to know some phrases with which you could politely
introduce yourself and ask a permission to photograph someone in
Japanese Just the basics, please. First of all, what does that
mean what you said to the young lady?

Click to expand...

Ian's initial phrase will work quite well. Other options include

"Sumimasen ga, shashin wo totte ii deshou ka" (Excuse me, may I take a picture).

And after you are done,

"arigatou gozaimasu" (thank you)
"sumimasen" (exuse me for bothering you)

If some one really goes out of their way to help you (like taking you on a tour, or something like that)

"taihen osewa ni narimashita" (you have helped me a great deal) is a rather polite phrase, but you will get more mileage from the two phrases above.

Note on pronunciation, the double vowels (ii, ou) represent slightly elongated sounds, not changes in sounds. For example, both "i" and "ii" sound "ee" in the word "bee", but the "ii" held just a bit longer. "To" and "tou" are both pronounced as "oe" in the English "toe," not like the pronoun "to" in "going to the store."

As for the personal introduction, that really depends on what you would want to say.

J Mankila said:

I'd be very happy to hear any suggestions - especially from someone
who speaks Japanese Thanks in advance!

J Mankila said:

I could use your thoughts on this image. What works
best? The B&W version or Color. What about critiquing the image
in general. How is the contrast, subject, comp?

Click to expand...

The colors are so beautiful and emphasize the face in such a way I
wouldn't even consider the BW version.. The BW one would need a
lot of burning in my opinion, or maybe a contrast boost with an
S-curve. Have you tried Greg Gorman's tricks in BW-conversion? I'll
post a link:
http://www.gormanphotography.com/gorman.html

Just press the 'learn' button.. On the other hand, I have it as a
photoshop action - I'm not sure where I got it, though Must've
been via the forum here..

Janne Mankila

Click to expand...

shashin wo totte ii deshou ka - is the correct way to ask. I can never remember this.

Sashin daijobu des ka? - is partially incorrect and poor japanese. I just know that sashin = picture and daijobu = ok/it's ok ..... so in my terrible japanese I have found that it works when I say this.

When I want to catch a funny smile I say

Ichii Tasuu Ichii Waaaa ......... and they kinda giggle and say Niiiii. (works well with the younger girls. (litterally means 1 + 1 = ??? and Ni = 2)

otherwise just say Cheese-uu.
--
http://www.ianz28.smugmug.com

I will work on this picture some more. I really like it too. I knew it had something special about it.....nice to know that my "rescue" in PS has been successful!

Ian
--
http://www.ianz28.smugmug.com

--
http://www.ianz28.smugmug.com

Out shooting in the bright daylight and wondering why it is that I'm getting 1/2500th of a second at f8???

Ahhh sh%t....ISO800 on a white flower! or something like that.

thanks for looking,
Ian
--
http://www.ianz28.smugmug.com

I hadnt really thought about that. Excellent. I just know that when I mess up a picture rescuing it is usually easiest if I just switch it to B&W.

Thanks a lot!
Ian
--
http://www.ianz28.smugmug.com

The B&W version is just a picture of a girl in an outfit. The color version is amazing. You can't see that her face is powdered in the B&W and it just generally isn't as appealing.
--
Dave
Iowa

Your so knowledgeable about Japan and Kyoto. It's great!

I have actually gotten to where I can spot the differenence between the real and fake maiko quite easily now. And there is an easy way to find the fake ones as well. Near Kiyomizu temple there are quite a few of the small shops that dress up these girls and paint them for a fee. Usually you see them during the daytime.

I have hung out at GION and played paparratzi (sp? I have no idea) and captured one of my favorite images: (I have posted this one many times - so, sorry to those who have seen it before).



and, I have gone to Gion Corner to watch the Maiko performances - well worth the 2500 yen!

I know about Ebisu shrine but, havent heard much more beyond that.....I'll look into it! Thankyou!

It snowed! No fair! I was just there 3 or 4 days ago! I have wanted Kinkakuji in snow since the first time I went there! Could you drop me a line if it snows again??? (a couple of inches and sticks)

Thanks for the info and the feedback!
Ian

p.s. yes, I got lucky that the exposure wasnt so bad that it couldnt be saved......and, this is exactly why I only shoot RAW.

--
http://www.ianz28.smugmug.com

I decided to try the 3 lens thing.
I just grabbed 3 primes and my flash for a light kit.
35, 50, 100.

I did soften her skin and ran noise ninja a couple of times and already boosted color contrast and exposure (most because of my screw up!).....basically a lot of PP.

The Tokina works well for portraits. I'm still supposed to do a write-up on this lens! someday.....

Ian
--
http://www.ianz28.smugmug.com

Ian,
It's truly a wonderful capture. A perfect face with the perfect pose.

Regarding your "mistake", I wonder if the -7 didn't save you from blowing the highlights out?

Her face, the flowers in her hair, the ornamental (?) pieces dangling from the flowers were all great opportunities to to be lost with over exposure. Maybe you mistake was a blessing?

--
Jim

This photo really is very good.
--
Stephanie

^ ^ Please Visit My Gallery ^ ^
http://stephaniewilliams.smugmug.com/

I looked at your image in Photoshop. It is a lot better than what I see on the web. Nice color, good skin tones (the hands without make-up) and nice contrast.

The web image is pale, blueish and lacks color. If you are going to do a picture for posting on the web, open it in Windows Explorer and double click on it. That will tell you how you are presenting your image to everybody out there. It is difficult at that time to guess what colors colors, brightness you need to change when you open it in Photoshop but if you are using a callibrated monitor there is a simple way to get it right.

Open the original full size image in Photoshop. Open the smaller jpeg you made for posting. Assign a new color tag to this jpeg. The tag to use is the same one you are using in your display properties.

The moment you do this, you can see how your image is going to be seen by others when posting.

Usually a midtone darkening in levels corrects for the brightness. The hue and saturation is mostly different in the Master channel Hue +8 Sat. +4
I also shift the Yellow Hue +4
Post a new image together with the old and see for yourself what is better.

If you do not use callibration of your monitor Windows Explorer will still show you how far off you are from the original file.
--
Rinus of Calgary/Kelowna

I'm sorry but, I don't really understand your message.

Are you telling me that all the images on my site are off?

I just had my first picture published and in the magazine the colors are spot on! I don't think they changed anything.
http://www.seekjapan.jp/page1.php?id=533

(scroll down to the purple box "gaijin eye 2006" and the 2nd image is mine - http://ianz28.smugmug.com/gallery/352709/1/28932917/Large and the same picture on my site.)

I have had numerous images developed and the colors have all looked good.

I have done basic monitor calibration. My black point is set properly though I don't worry about my images being slightly too bright or dark - I'm not a pro.

I tried what you suggested and didnt see any difference.....I have seen my images on other computers. Maybe I didnt follow your instructions properly. I just use an old 17" CRT monitor at this time.

What am I not understanding? What am I missing here?

Ian
--
http://www.ianz28.smugmug.com

what is a Geisha without colour?

I'll write down those messages in a memo or something and keep it with me every time I go photoing!

Thanks!

also.. like someone else mentioned here before.. perhaps play around with the contrasts a little.
L8r

She doesn't look real. Look at the hands. It is criminal to have skin like that.

I think the shots are excellent. You could post with PS and diddle with contarst and color all you want. Still good shots.
I still can't beleive that she isn't a doll.
Nice grab shot.