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01/12/2006 02:48:34 PM |
Greetings from the Critique Club! :)
Just a brief note, to begin... It really helps the Critique Club volunteers tremendously if the photographer is able to provide a little background info, shot setup facts, and editing steps in the "Comments" box. While this is currently not required, it does limit our ability to be thorough if there is no information included.
Composition
The nearly square crop makes the shot a little bit static for me. The subject is neither centered nor effectly offset from center, so my eyes don't go to any of the natural "spots". The crop is also a little too close to both the pie and the flag, making my eye wander out of the frame with regularity. Perhaps cropping so that her face was basically on the upper right "thirds" intersection and have her hold the pie on the lower left "thirds" intersection would have yielded more compostional punch.
Camera Work
There are quite a few hot spots (small, overexposed areas) in the image. This includes the stripes in the flag, the spots on her sweater, and even some highlights around her eyes. The use of the flash has made the image very harsh - much harsher than I think a picture of a "mom" (soft and sweet) should be. I think you've tried to correct for this later, but starting with a 1/3 stop underexposed image might have given better results. I would also recommend either diffusing the flash or using bounce flash off the ceiling. The bounce usually yields incredibly better skin tones. You've used f/1.8, and I would think it is intentional, seeing that you have increased the background blur with post processing. A smaller aperture (larger number) would have made it possible, I think, to keep the mom, the flag, and the pie ALL within the depth of field and made a much stronger image. If you were indeed using a flash, you should have been able to do that.
Post Processing
You received several negative comments about the processing, and I don't want to rehash unnecessarily, but some things do bear mentioning. The pie looks pasted in, the reds are oversaturated, and the blur / noise removal to her face are dominating features which really detract from the image. If you would like to discuss this further, feel free to drop me a PM and I will be glad to go into more details.
My Thoughts
This is a nice idea and a beautiful model. Personally, I really would like to compare the orginal from the camera to the end result and perhaps explore some different PP paths. I think this could have been made into a stronger image than you have submitted here.
I apologize if this comes across as a harsh critique; I don't mean it to be unnecessarily so. I do make a specific effort, when doing a critique, to be as blatantly honest as I can without being rude or obtrusive. My intent is to help the photographer improve as much as possible. I hope you find these thoughts to be helpful and informative. If you have questions or would like to discuss further, please feel free to PM me at any time.
Thank you for submitting! |
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 Photographer found comment helpful. |
Comments Made During the Challenge  |
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01/08/2006 01:02:08 PM |
| Now, this is a very cute pose and wonderful wholesome smile and i even like the color treatment as an end effect. I just feel that there is a disconnect between the coloration of the flag and the face. There is also a definite cut out appearance around the subject. despite all this the pie, the flag and the expression trump a lot of these minor inconsistencies. Bumping to 7 on general impact which can not be denied. |
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| Photographer found comment helpful. |
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01/07/2006 09:46:53 PM |
| Some really bad photoshopping around the head and background spoils it for me. But a good message, meets the challenge well (pity about the post-processing) |
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01/07/2006 01:52:55 AM |
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01/06/2006 03:05:58 AM |
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01/06/2006 02:04:31 AM |
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01/05/2006 07:50:33 PM |
| Oh wow, I like your concept, but something is off here. I am not even sure if you used neat image or blurred it, but she doesn't look real. |
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01/05/2006 07:35:27 PM |
| I think it would be more important that her face be in focus as opposed to the pie. I never set my camera to focus on the closest object. |
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| Photographer found comment helpful. |
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01/05/2006 01:58:23 PM |
| Seems to have some weird lighting going on. Keep working on your post-processing skills. Hair is really hard to outline properly. Try a feather to your selection or blurring the background on a separate layer and then erasing the parts on that layer you want in focus with a soft-edged eraser. That may lead to better results. I like your idea though. |
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01/04/2006 10:40:33 PM |
| Interesting idea. The image looks as though it has been heavily processed which gives it a strange kind of appearance. Maybe too much sharpenning or similar. The idea of an iconic portrait portraying cultural heritage is a really good idea though. |
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01/04/2006 08:21:09 PM |
| Back for comments. Nice concept but unfortunately it looks like you over did the neatimage. |
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01/03/2006 10:24:23 PM |
| Is it apple. Nice photo but mom looks a little waxy |
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01/03/2006 09:15:41 PM |
| Composition is ok. Good choice of subject matter. The image quality is ok. Has potential of being really creative. - 5 |
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01/03/2006 10:48:17 AM |
| i would have far rather the mom be compleatly in focus then the pie |
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01/03/2006 10:43:26 AM |
| She looks just a little over-smoothed to me. Just my opinion. :) |
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01/03/2006 07:05:25 AM |
| Good concept; however the shallow DOF has a few areas that are out of sync and the lighting on her face seems a tad harsh. 5 |
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01/03/2006 03:59:06 AM |
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01/02/2006 11:22:56 PM |
| The post editing on this pic has made it look out of focus. The colors are horrible and just not pleasing to the eye. The lighting is bad and looks overexposed. 2 |
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01/02/2006 09:51:37 PM |
| Over processed, but nice idea. I think the backdrop coulda been better, and there's some really weird blurry thing in the lower left. It looks pixelated rather than blurred. Also NI-ed to the point of plasticity. 3 |
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01/02/2006 09:47:28 PM |
| Nice concept and good title. My only complaint is that the focus is on the pie & flag, rather than on mom herself. Otherwise, nice. |
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01/02/2006 05:28:49 PM |
| Lots of red usually does well with me, but you've been a bit heavy with the noise reduction, in this case, I think. Looks like a great pie! :) Great thought. |
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01/02/2006 05:09:51 PM |
| like the composition, like the colours, the selection around her hair for the blurred background seems a bit rough good luck |
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01/02/2006 03:49:29 PM |
| You need more DOF, her face is out of focus here, looks like you focusses on the pie. |
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| Photographer found comment helpful. |
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01/02/2006 01:27:58 PM |
| oh my!!! I will be respectful but I have to tell you the truth. Good idea, good composition, horrid digital work. borders are awful, there is something distracting on the left side by her shoulder, her face looks like plastic, hair unnatural, flagh by the stars terribly finished, and the background unnaturaly blurred. Sorry, I think you distroyed a good idea :S |
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| Photographer found comment helpful. |
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01/02/2006 08:46:49 AM |
| Mom could be a little better focused |
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| Photographer found comment helpful. |
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01/02/2006 02:13:27 AM |
| only the pie seems sharp. p.s. where's the baseball? :) |
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01/02/2006 01:12:45 AM |
You made an effort with your Mom, flag and pie.... I'd be ok with those.
However, the post processing (or did it come out of the camera looking like THAT?) totally ruins it. |
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| Photographer found comment helpful. |
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