Cheerleaders
by LevT

Comment by mariuca:
Of all the images of elongated trees in blurry forests, this takes the lead. The presence of the aptly name “cheerleaders” is the jewel of the woods

Elegance
by LevT

Comment by Cyrilda:
One of my top picks. Big congrats.

Windswept
by LevT

Comment by primabarbara:
the combination of natural and artificial light is just great.

Windswept
by LevT

Comment by Barroness:
Nice image
Congrats on top 10

Elegance
by LevT

Comment by LevT:
Thanks Willem, don't get me wrong, I appreciated your constructive comments, but I also wanted to respond with my own motivation for my choices. For me, the contrast between soft feminine features of the model and harsh lighting provided an interesting tension, fitting the idea of chiaroscuro. But as you said. We all are entitled to our own tastes and opinions. Cheers!

Elegance
by LevT

Comment by willem:

Originally posted by LevT: Originally posted by willem: Originally posted by posthumous: Originally posted by willem: The light on the front of he face and shoulder is very nice, drawing the outlines. But in my view the transition from light to dark is too harsh for the shape of her face and then the light from the left is too strong again. Rather then a light (or reflector) from the left I think a slight reflection from the direction of the camera could have filled in some too strong shadows and emphasised the round shape of her cheeks and face. this is like telling an artist who works in ink that he should use charcoal. I made the comment because in my view chiaroscuro is more about using charcoal than it is about using ink, i.e. use the pressure of the charcoal (the intensity of the light) to provide shape and depth to an object. If you prefer to use ink, please feel free. willem in any BW photography the intensity of the light reflected from an object provides shape and depth, there is nothing else there. Chiaroscuro implies strong contrasts between chiaro (bright) and oscuro (dark), that's the whole point. I intentionally left the front in strong shadows, actually I even darkened it in post-processing a little bit specifically to amplify this effect. I also did not understand your original comment that the light from the left was too strong - I think it is very soft actually.

No problem, there might be different interpretations of what chiaroscuro is about. I was describing my interpretation and I was describing how I saw your image related to that interpretation, in order to explain the background of my scoring. I realise in my style of comments I often focus mainly on improvement points (again: from my perspective) maybe without emphasising the strong points of an image. To explain better my original comment: I see for example the forehead highlights almost blown out and then the temple almost fully black. To me this was a very rapid transition from light to dark over a very small distance of the face, which in my view created a too harsh look. Considering the soft rounded shape of the face I would have preferred a more gradual transition which could have been obtained by some extra reflection from the front. Again, all subjective, all to explain the scoring, and to offer suggestions. If your interpretation and preference is different, no problem.

Elegance
by LevT

Comment by LevT:

Originally posted by willem: Originally posted by posthumous: Originally posted by willem: The light on the front of he face and shoulder is very nice, drawing the outlines. But in my view the transition from light to dark is too harsh for the shape of her face and then the light from the left is too strong again. Rather then a light (or reflector) from the left I think a slight reflection from the direction of the camera could have filled in some too strong shadows and emphasised the round shape of her cheeks and face. this is like telling an artist who works in ink that he should use charcoal. I made the comment because in my view chiaroscuro is more about using charcoal than it is about using ink, i.e. use the pressure of the charcoal (the intensity of the light) to provide shape and depth to an object. If you prefer to use ink, please feel free.

willem in any BW photography the intensity of the light reflected from an object provides shape and depth, there is nothing else there. Chiaroscuro implies strong contrasts between chiaro (bright) and oscuro (dark), that's the whole point. I intentionally left the front in strong shadows, actually I even darkened it in post-processing a little bit specifically to amplify this effect. I also did not understand your original comment that the light from the left was too strong - I think it is very soft actually.

Old West
by LevT

Comment by MaryO:
Wonderful old building, though it seems like it belongs in a town. Next to the saloon. Gently falling down as the years go by. Overlay works for me.

Elegance
by LevT

Comment by willem:

Originally posted by posthumous: Originally posted by willem: The light on the front of he face and shoulder is very nice, drawing the outlines. But in my view the transition from light to dark is too harsh for the shape of her face and then the light from the left is too strong again. Rather then a light (or reflector) from the left I think a slight reflection from the direction of the camera could have filled in some too strong shadows and emphasised the round shape of her cheeks and face. this is like telling an artist who works in ink that he should use charcoal.

I made the comment because in my view chiaroscuro is more about using charcoal than it is about using ink, i.e. use the pressure of the charcoal (the intensity of the light) to provide shape and depth to an object. If you prefer to use ink, please feel free.

Elegance
by LevT

Comment by Barroness:
Congratulations
You managed a softness with contrast harsh lighting