Desperately Seeking..... - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

10/23/2006 09:59:39 PM · #1

......HELP!

**little emotional warning**

This is a slightly unusual plea for someone who might be willing to look at an image I have taken and help me with composition, technicals and editing.

Basically, when I lost Damian, in the weeks afterwards (and even now when I am really sad) I would hold one of his sweatshirts close to me so I could smell him, it makes it feel as though he is right here with me and although it makes me cry I know it's all part of my 'healing'. For awhile now I have wanted to take an image of myself holding the sweatshirt, and try and capture the emotions I feel in those moments. This, I am finding out, is really really hard.

Firstly, I HATE any photos of myself and it is very difficult to look past that. Secondly, I know nothing about any form of portrait/people photography. Third and most importantly, a darkish room, small lamp, shutter release cable and guess work don't make for the best conditions to capture the feel of the moment if you see what I mean!

I made my first attempt at taking this shot just now but I am far from happy. The image is very personal to me and I don't wish to include it within the thread but if anyone is willing to lend a hand if you could post here I will contact you with the URL and maybe we could go from there?

I would be extremely grateful to anyone who offers their help.

Thanks for reading,

- Natalya

I Enjoy Ham

Canon EOS-30D

10/23/2006 10:01:22 PM · #2

ill be happy to help :)

senor_kasper

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

10/23/2006 10:09:49 PM · #3

I just read your plea and was touched by it. I am new here but have been in photography for a while. I am not sure you will be capable of being an emotional subject and an objective photographer simultaneously, one of the two functions will likely suffer. I would love to try to help, even when I am not sure that I will be able to actually produce the help that you need. Let me know how you want to proceed.

Message edited by author 2006-10-23 22:10:31.

10/23/2006 10:17:15 PM · #4

Dan and Andres I have sent you both Private Messages, I am sorry that the image I am showing you is really not a lot to work with :o(

Thank you for your quick responses.

10/23/2006 10:43:09 PM · #5

Let me know if I can help, and if so, what you would like done with it? Background kept intact? Make it look like a studio portrait? Webview or print-sized? If you have the original untouched file, that would be a plus. Fixing/editing is one of my passions and here are a few things done recently for DPC members:

Before

& after

The above are from this thread: Feel free to edit this portrait.
(near the end are the thumbs, though the larger links have been hidden - see thread for reasons why)

If I can help, use the email address in my profile, as PM's seem to get lost through sbc.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/23/2006 10:44:38 PM · #6

Thanks Brad, I will send you an email now :o)

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

10/23/2006 11:09:21 PM · #7

Natalya, if you want to try to reshoot after getting advice from some of these good kind folks, I can offer some advice I picked up while doing the 30 day self portrait thing.

Set something, like a tall chair or a spare tripod if you have one, or a floor lamp, where you plan to put yourself. Focus your camera on that, then turn it to manual focus on the lens so it won't try to refocus. Then either set the timer if you don't want to deal with the cord, or use the cord - whichever you prefer. It takes some practice, so just take some practice shots first - just you. Make faces at the camera, just for fun - you're the only one who has to see them!

Next, consider using available light from a window. I found I liked it much better than any type of artificial light. It will help if the window has a light sheer curtain, too. And my final tip is a piece of white posterboard - it serves very nicely to reflect light, and you'd be surprised how much just that little bit of reflected light will help.

Finally, when you do want to take some shots you'll hope to keep, shoot in RAW so you have lots of leeway to work with color temperature and exposure and the like.

And know that lots of us out here do think about you and wish you only the best.

Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM

10/23/2006 11:11:58 PM · #8

WOW great tips Deb, thank you so much. This shot isnt the only one I wish to take so even if I don't reshoot this particular image I will be sure to use your advice on future shots.

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts too x

jfwolpert

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/23/2006 11:26:19 PM · #9

not the best at portraiture but if i can help with photoshop just let me know.

10/23/2006 11:27:18 PM · #10

Hi Jude,

Thanks for your reply, I will send you an email now x

10/23/2006 11:36:53 PM · #11

Originally posted by talj:

Thanks Brad, I will send you an email now :o)

Sent you a few versions to your email Natalya.

Drummie

Nikon D40

10/23/2006 11:40:27 PM · #12

Natalya,
I just sent you a PM. If you want, send along a copy & I'll see what I can do. We all have different styles here.....you've alot of replies, so hopefully you will get one or more touchups that you will realy like :).
Lori

10/23/2006 11:43:36 PM · #13

To Brad, thank you! I am just going to take a look at them now.

And thank you Lori, I have just emailed you.

10/24/2006 12:39:43 AM · #14

To all those who have offered there help,

Its now just gone 5.30am here in the UK so I must try for a few hours sleep!! I look forward to seeing what you have all got upto when I awake.

Once again thank you to all of you for your quick responses and the time and effort each of you is going to too help me, it is greatly appreciated.

- Natalya :o)

10/25/2006 02:31:51 AM · #15

Originally posted by talj:

Firstly, I HATE any photos of myself and it is very difficult to look past that.

Hopefully you will smile when you check your email.

10/25/2006 05:52:14 AM · #16

Originally posted by BradP:

Originally posted by talj:

Firstly, I HATE any photos of myself and it is very difficult to look past that.

Hopefully you will smile when you check your email.

It was half a smile....afterall its still me! ;o) Will drop you an email Brad, thank you :o)

timfythetoo

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

10/25/2006 05:56:10 AM · #17

You know Aimee and I would be willing to help in any way we could.

10/25/2006 05:59:57 AM · #18

Originally posted by talj:

It was half a smile....afterall its still me!

pffffff - go look in the mirror and smile at your best friend - she needs it!

10/25/2006 06:08:42 AM · #19

Originally posted by timfythetoo:

You know Aimee and I would be willing to help in any way we could.

Thanks timfy :o) I'll send you a PM shortly :o)

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

10/25/2006 06:09:31 AM · #20

Originally posted by BradP:

Originally posted by talj:

It was half a smile....afterall its still me!

pffffff - go look in the mirror and smile at your best friend - she needs it!

That just brightened up my morning :o) Thanks Brad :o)

love

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

10/25/2006 07:09:42 AM · #21

I'm so sorry to hear this .. but wonderfully pleased that others came through to help you out. . I would offer but I think with BradP, etc. I am a little out of my league..
R