FACES: Portraits of My Students - DPChallenge Forums

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

03/26/2005 09:36:57 PM · #1

Here they are:

Jyoti is very pretty. However, she is unaware of her beauty thus I can't wait to show this to her on Monday. (I took this picture last Thursday.)

Swanti, another Indian student and a very pretty one. (But they all are...Indians.) An out-take from Light challenge. Useda students Canon 30D for this.

I am glad I didn't erase this. I took this picture a few weeks back but never got the chance to look at this again...only yesterday when I retouched it. I am very pleased with the results.

BTW, I usually have two VERY very important steps when I post-processed a picture. One is sharpening (courtesy of a friend in Trekearth), the other one is diffuse glow (courtesy of my friend from Treklens and my muse..she's also a DPCers, zto) and recently, and more EXTENSIVELY on these three shots, dodging and burning (courtesy of a friend here in dpchallenge, Pedro). I read Peter's tutorial, was quite a skeptic at first BUT now hooked into it. Try it...now my portraits will look a whole lot better. Salamat Pedro. Now you have to send me those "actions" for your color tones.

As you can see, I have improved my skills a lot (both in photography and post-processing) because of these three sites.

Happy Easter everyone.

Manny

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

03/26/2005 09:39:50 PM · #2

As usual, great stuff. Happy Easter Manny!

Ozzie

Nikon D90

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4G ED VR

03/26/2005 09:41:42 PM · #3

Do you use a macro lens for this? What are you using? Since we share the same camera, I'd like to improve my portrait shots. The first one is excellent!

deapee

Kodak V803

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

03/26/2005 09:46:00 PM · #4

can you link to that tutorial on dodging/burning?

just-married

Canon EOS-10D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

03/26/2005 10:11:22 PM · #5

Manny, I love your work, always. You are by far my favorite photographer on this site. And it goes without saying that your skill as a photographer surpasses my own on every level, so I hesitate to even mention my thoughts. But since you mention that you are trying some new things, and they are tied to my own observations in these recent photos, I feel it is worth mentioning.

The eye whites in these three most recent shots look unnaturally white. I would pick them out instantly as altered in post processing. I far prefer the more natural eyes in most of the other shots in your portfolio.

Now that that is out of my system, I can say that the compositions are wonderful, and that you really captured the personaity, which comes as no surprise. You say that Jyoti doesn't know her beauty. I have yet to see anyone who you are not capable of making beautiful with your camera. It is a wonderful gift. Please continue to share.

Warm Regard, Dawn

moodville

Nikon D100

03/26/2005 11:02:51 PM · #6

Originally posted by deapee:

can you link to that tutorial on dodging/burning?

Dodge/Burn tutorial

Beach_mel

Nikon D70s

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

03/26/2005 11:10:31 PM · #7

One word...

WOW!

Pedro

Nikon D200

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED

03/26/2005 11:58:14 PM · #8

Originally posted by librodo:

and recently, and more EXTENSIVELY on these three shots, dodging and burning (courtesy of a friend here in dpchallenge, Pedro). I read Peter's tutorial, was quite a skeptic at first BUT now hooked into it. Try it...now my portraits will look a whole lot better. Salamat Pedro. Now you have to send me those "actions" for your color tones.

Manny

Walang anuman, Pare. I'm glad you've come over to the dark side and are using the D/B tools as well as your other methods. Tho I have to agree with Dawn, some of the eyes are really white. It takes a bit of time to get used to the tools, but you've obviously got a very good handle on it already. The third tool on the D/B palette is 'Desaturate', and I occasionally use this to selectively desaturate parts that I have dodged or burned when they take on odd colours (sometimes eye-whites go yellow; desaturating seems more realistic than over-dodging most of the time).

As for the actions - I'll have them to you by tomorrow eve :)

Beautiful work again, Manny. I like your method of punishment for your students :)

P

nomad469

Nikon D700

03/27/2005 12:33:44 AM · #9

Originally posted by Beach_mel:

One word...

WOW!

2 words WOW! WOW!

David.C

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

03/27/2005 12:39:58 AM · #10

Originally posted by librodo:

...now my portraits will look a whole lot better. ...

Manny

??? is that possible???

Great photos -- do you have you students screened and only allow the photogenic ones into your classes? ;)

David

03/27/2005 08:34:16 AM · #11

Originally posted by just-married:

The eye whites in these three most recent shots look unnaturally white. I would pick them out instantly as altered in post processing. I far prefer the more natural eyes in most of the other shots in your portfolio.

Now that that is out of my system, I can say that the compositions are wonderful, and that you really captured the personaity, which comes as no surprise. You say that Jyoti doesn't know her beauty. I have yet to see anyone who you are not capable of making beautiful with your camera. It is a wonderful gift. Please continue to share.

Warm Regard, Dawn

Thank you very much, Dawn, for pointing it out. Now I have to be careful about my technique. It takes another eye to see what I don't see.

Manny

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

03/27/2005 08:36:57 AM · #12

Originally posted by Pedro:

Maraming salamat for the tip Peter. Just I told Dawn, it takes another person to see something that I otherwise overlook. It must be my shadow/highlight step...not your D/B. Happy Easter, pare.

Manny

rscorp

Nikon D70

03/27/2005 09:28:09 AM · #13

Wonderful work again, Manny. Just out of curiosity, you've mentioned a lot on the forums about your students and that you are a teacher, but I've never seen you mention what it is you teach. What exactly are you passing down to these students?

Kavey

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

03/27/2005 09:31:49 AM · #14

Manny,
You have a rare skill at bringing out beauty in anyone you photograph. Or it seems that way to me. Yes these girls are beautiful but I think some of that is because of the beauty YOU see in people and then work so hard to share with the rest of us.
They are all beautiful girls and they will surely be delighted with these portraits.
I'd take issue with your statement that all Indians are pretty, being one myself and not! I need someone to take a portrait of me and get me to look even half as good.
You have a talent, truly.

Message edited by author 2005-03-27 09:33:45.

saintaugust

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

03/27/2005 09:59:15 AM · #15

great work.

has a very cultural 'national geographic' feel to them.
great technical quality too.

03/27/2005 07:19:09 PM · #16

Originally posted by rscorp:

Teaching Psychology and also advising the school's yearbook.

Manny