Black and white child portrait

freetiegui · Dec 28, 2014

black and white child portrait.

Hi all, am new to this forum. Would love to get some feedback on this image, I feel like I'm close but no cigar. Not sure how to fix it and now am flailing around in PS. Would love some objectivity, don't hold back! Many thanks

Vidau · Dec 28, 2014

Welcome, I really like the photo, beautiful model.

freetiegui · Dec 29, 2014

Thank you for your time Vidau, yes she is lovely looking isn't she.

Klaus dk · Dec 29, 2014

Lovely child, and you have caught her in a good mood and fine expression, which to me are the most important features of any portrait.

The picture is too dark. I can see you compensated -1EV, perhaps you could pull the exposure up in post? I wonder why you converted to B&W?

A general rule that often works with kids is to get down to their level, instead of shooting down on them. It is not so bad in this picture, but a good thing to remember.

BTW I also like the crop.

Good luck and happy shooting.

freetiegui · Dec 29, 2014

Thank you Klaus. Yes I was pleased with her expression. It was the briefest of moments and I'm glad I caught it. I agree with you that it is too dark, I am still finding my feet with OCF and exposure in general and produce inconsistent results. I will edit a lighter version and post.

I put it in B+W, for three reasons really, I love B+W and thought it would make a good candidate for conversion as there was nice side lighting and contrast. And also the mum asked me to do so.

I've struggled a bit with the conversion though and it still isn't doing what I want. Making me think I'm trying to knock a square peg into a round hole and maybe it would be better in colour? I may try a colour edit too.

Many thanks for your comments and time.

Klaus dk · Dec 29, 2014

freetiegui said:
Thank you Klaus. Yes I was pleased with her expression. It was the briefest of moments and I'm glad I caught it. I agree with you that it is too dark, I am still finding my feet with OCF and exposure in general and produce inconsistent results. I will edit a lighter version and post.

I put it in B+W, for three reasons really, I love B+W and thought it would make a good candidate for conversion as there was nice side lighting and contrast. And also the mum asked me to do so.

I've struggled a bit with the conversion though and it still isn't doing what I want. Making me think I'm trying to knock a square peg into a round hole and maybe it would be better in colour? I may try a colour edit too.

Many thanks for your comments and time.

I may get this all wrong, but it looks to me as if you overdid your processing. If you have the original RAW file, try again. Don't sharpen it. If a portrait is not sharp on the nearest eye, sharpening does not help, it will only make matters worse. A picture like this does not live or die by the right focus, it is the overall expression of the picture that does it.

Instead, convert it to B&W and then make it as bright as possible. You may have to work the highlight and shadow sliders a little, as well as the contrast. If a few pixels go to clipped white, don't fret, the point is to make it pleasing to the eye, not to win a competition.

I will not try to hide that I'm a purist in the PP department. IMHO, you can always add more PP, but it is diffcult to see when to stop, so doing as little as possible is always my starting suggestion.

freetiegui · Dec 29, 2014

Klaus dk said:
I may get this all wrong, but it looks to me as if you overdid your processing. If you have the original RAW file, try again. Don't sharpen it. If a portrait is not sharp on the nearest eye, sharpening does not help, it will only make matters worse. A picture like this does not live or die by the right focus, it is the overall expression of the picture that does it.

Instead, convert it to B&W and then make it as bright as possible. You may have to work the highlight and shadow sliders a little, as well as the contrast. If a few pixels go to clipped white, don't fret, the point is to make it pleasing to the eye, not to win a competition.

I will not try to hide that I'm a purist in the PP department. IMHO, you can always add more PP, but it is diffcult to see when to stop, so doing as little as possible is always my starting suggestion.

Yeah, I always over cook things! I agree it is very hard to know when to stop, I always use the sliders in such tiny increments, but many, many times (for example I will use the curves layer 5 or 6 time easily); but each time is not very much so I don't see it getting overdone - IFSWIM. That's why it's so great to have fresh eyes look at it. I have been quite conscious of blowing the highlights, maybe too conscious! I'll try again and re post.

Thanks for your time and thoughts, it's a big help to me.

joannegrrl · Dec 29, 2014

Lovely, a great capture of the moment.

I read the excellent advice from Klaus, I don't think I would have anything to add to that, sound as usual.

Paul Jones · Dec 29, 2014

freetiegui said:
black and white child portrait.

Hi all, am new to this forum. Would love to get some feedback on this image, I feel like I'm close but no cigar. Not sure how to fix it and now am flailing around in PS. Would love some objectivity, don't hold back! Many thanks

We all look at photographs differently. Personally, I don't find the image too dark. It's just right for me. I wouldn't change it.

Leaving aside the technical aspects, you've captured a joyous expression with bags of character. One of the best child portraits on here that I've looked at tonight. Well done.

Best regards

Paul
--
Paul Jones

http://www.pauljones.org

(NSFW)

GoneMirrorless · Dec 29, 2014

I see a lot of portraits here that I do not like or that just don't connect. Yours is not in that category.

It has a great expression and the framing to me is well done.

freetiegui · Dec 29, 2014

Thank you guys for your kind words, it's all very encouraging

D00M · Dec 30, 2014

The photography and post processing are done well. However, to me, the context of the image and the tone of the images are not aligned. The kid is very happy, but the dark B&W rendering is moody.

For this photo, light and cheery tone/mood will work better. If you like B&W, brighten the image. Reduce the contrast (lighten the dark side of her face).

On the other hand, if you catch the kid in angry mood, or an adult in serious pose, then this B&W rendering matches.

freetiegui · Dec 30, 2014

D00M said:
The photography and post processing are done well. However, to me, the context of the image and the tone of the images are not aligned. The kid is very happy, but the dark B&W rendering is moody.

For this photo, light and cheery tone/mood will work better. If you like B&W, brighten the image. Reduce the contrast (lighten the dark side of her face).

On the other hand, if you catch the kid in angry mood, or an adult in serious pose, then this B&W rendering matches.

Thank you for your time and thoughts Jimmy K. I appreciate it. I see your point and that could be what's niggling me. I am going to re post with a colour and b+w re edited one.

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Black and white child portrait

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