Feedback on my first Free Study - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

12/09/2014 08:36:35 PM · #1

So, first off, I am not complaining about the scores. I was quite pleased with the end result with my entry, which ended in my third highest score ever. This is more an attempt to get some feedback on how this image could have potentially been made better. I did get one comment about the noise, which of course I added in post to give an aged effect, so I have included a couple of versions of this image to see what peoples opinions are, one without the grain and another that is SOOC.

The grainy texture was the first time I ever tried 'aging' a photo and overall I was quite pleased with the result.

My entry

Without grain

Straight out of camera

Techo

Canon EOS-7D

12/09/2014 09:18:36 PM · #2

Congrats on a nice FS finish. Re: the grain... Maybe it looks more like noise (than the ole type grain) to some folks because the grain has color? so it has more of a digital high ISO noise than the "Monochromatic"(option in PS) old style look that tends to be more appealing.

Message edited by author 2014-12-09 21:19:19.

tanguera

Nikon D750

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

12/09/2014 09:26:38 PM · #3

What a lovely portrait! And a gorgeous model! Believe it or not, I prefer your SOOC version over the other two. When deciding how to process an image, I take into account what the existing strengths are, and build on those. So to my eye, she has gorgeous skin, and I would have built upon that - fix the blemishes, etc. I'm not sure why you wanted to go "aged", since her look and wardrobe are rather modern, and only the door behind her is old. It is a great backdrop, and very complementary color, but it seems you built your edit around that and not the model herself.

I might also lighten her eyes just a tiny bit, to bring out their warmth. And if I wanted to make it more "retro", I'd try going black and white, with a bit of glamour glow.

skewsme

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens

12/09/2014 09:41:06 PM · #4

fwiw, i also like the straight from camera version. the blues round the palette out well.
and the highlights are too strong in the filtered version, lose too much detail.
also, and i know this may not have been your call, but i don't get the lipstick outside the lipline thing.
it's really obvious and has no benefit in this case.

12/09/2014 10:27:49 PM · #5

Originally posted by tanguera:

She does have great skin, almost porcelain. It was the second time I shot with her (she was in fact the first model I ever shot) and I made a point of mentioning that she had the best skin of any model I had shot (about 7 or 8 at this point). I did actually consider simply touching up the skin and using that, but I wanted to try something new, so I went with a bit of an aged look. The outfit included a very old fashioned, long sleeved thing (not sure what to call it), but it was dropped down and hanging from the crook of her arms, so not visible in this particular shot, so I guess I never really saw the outfit as being modern. You can see a touch of it in the SOOC version to the left, the pale green and ruffles. The outfit is in fact a bra and bustier. I'll include another shot to show what I am talking about.

I did lighten the eyes, but I guess I should have went lighter again. I think I darkened them a little after the fact when I adjusted the levels. I will have to be more careful in the future.

I will try a b&w version when I get the chance. I actually did use the Topaz B&W filter for this one, but I adjusted the opacity to only partially desaturate the image.

Thanks for your comments, very helpful.

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

12/09/2014 10:33:23 PM · #6

Originally posted by Techo:

I just tried that, and I do prefer the result. I used the Texture filter with the Grain option, but I think this approach is better. The difference is subtle, but I think it works better.

Thanks!

tanguera

Nikon D750

12/09/2014 11:04:17 PM · #7

Yes, the outfit is definitely period, but it doesn't show in the version you entered. I also meant to point out what Collen did, that the highlights on the clothes are a bit too bright. I'd have toned those down a bit as well