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09/13/2005 06:14:15 AM · #1 |
| In veiwing the comments on the color portraint, along with other techniques I have used in my photos, I have to wonder if there is no room for any other presentation of photos except sharp? I used soft focus and soft glow in my portrait shot, because of an older model, and I am really getting fried for lack of focus. There are other ways to take a photo except totally sharp. It doesn't work in all subjects. Am I wrong in trying to use other ways to take a photo? |
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09/13/2005 06:17:16 AM · #2 |
| I think a "soft focus" or alternative focus style challenge is in order! |
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09/13/2005 06:25:45 AM · #3 |
| Soft focus and soft glow still need to convey that the subject was in focus... maybe you should look at your technique? |
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09/13/2005 06:35:18 AM · #4 |
| I have actually had professional portraits done of my family which are in less focus than the one I submitted. So, how do you explain that one? Even my daughters graduataion picture, her eyes were less focused then the ones in my submission, and she wansn't on drugs either. |
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09/13/2005 06:55:48 AM · #5 |
Just wondering, what postprocessing do you use to prepare a print for a challenge June?
I generally apply a very slight sharpen (Unsharp mask sharpen: 50%, r:2) before resizing, and another after resizing (50%, r:1) for the web.
There's some good sections about sharpening to maximise your presentation in these tutorials:
//www.dpchallenge.com/tutorial.php?TUTORIAL_ID=11
//www.dpchallenge.com/tutorial.php?TUTORIAL_ID=26
P
Message edited by author 2005-09-13 07:01:30. |
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09/14/2005 12:42:42 PM · #6 |
There's a difference between out of focus and the soft "stocking-filter" glow effect, or what "soft focus" lenses give you. A properly done soft focus effect will still maintain sharp detail, unlike an out-of-focus effect - but contrast around edges will be lower and light spots may have a halo.
Edit: of course without seeing your image we can't really comment on your effect.
Message edited by author 2005-09-14 12:43:32.
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09/14/2005 12:54:06 PM · #7 |
Sometimes the voters can be right and sometimes they can be wrong..but usually if the majority are saying it then the photo doesn't look good the way you added blur.
Seriously look at your photo and critique it. What could you do to make it look better. Do not compare yourself to other bad pictures taken by bad photographers in your town. hehe.. we have a few here too. LOL..
Try softening up only around the eyes and around the mouth where most the wrinklers are.
Can't wait to see the photo. |
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09/14/2005 01:15:41 PM · #8 |
Maybe the commenter(s) is simply saying they would prefer the photo if it was sharp?
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09/14/2005 01:24:10 PM · #9 |
Softening portraits is tricky, as is using shallow DOF. It's easy to go too far, and then the picture looks simply out of focus.
I don't know what you did with your picture, but I think in general you'll want to keep at least some features clear (eyes at minimum, lips, around the nose, maybe the outline of the face a bit, maybe a few other details such as a bit of hair or so). Think of it as showing the best features of your model clearly, and softening those that are not his/her best features.
And, I agree with Soni, don't compare yourself to what your local photographers have done :)
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