NikonGear'23

Images => Critique => Topic started by: tommiejeep on October 20, 2016, 12:23:21

Title: So, what would you do with it?
Post by: tommiejeep on October 20, 2016, 12:23:21
Very tight on the mother and child, more/different contrast?.  B&W? Just Bin it  :)
I was actually shooting a crew with two CATs clearing the next door plot when I noticed these two in a gap in the trees.  Unfortunately I only had one position and she never looked my way.
Df, 70-400 f4G vr handheld through the security grills.

Cheers,
Title: Re: So, what would you do with it?
Post by: elsa hoffmann on October 20, 2016, 14:15:26
not a snowballs' hope in hell I would bin this one. I love it
Title: Re: So, what would you do with it?
Post by: frankv on October 20, 2016, 14:22:52
I'm with Elsa, this is not for the bin. But since you ask, I would try a square crop. I'm a huge fan of 1:1 format, and I think this image would work very well that way. Try it out and let us see the result. I'm not the one for wild colors, but a little extra local contrast would probably suit the image. (Disclaimer: I now view on my work laptop, with uncalibrated screen of dubious quality)

-frank-
Title: Re: So, what would you do with it?
Post by: armando_m on October 20, 2016, 17:39:32
I'm with Frank , crop it closer

It's a wonderful image
Title: Re: So, what would you do with it?
Post by: elsa hoffmann on October 20, 2016, 17:47:42
 ;D I am not with frank and armando - composition as is. (I liked it first! )
Title: Re: So, what would you do with it?
Post by: Akira on October 20, 2016, 17:51:15
Indeed it is too potent to discard.

The posted image is already cropped.  I may want to see the original, uncropped frame.  Or, maybe I like the posted image as it is.  I feel the lower part of the mother's body seen through the foliage should not be cut in any way.
Title: Re: So, what would you do with it?
Post by: DougB on October 20, 2016, 21:00:14
I'm with Elsa.
Leave that photo alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   ;D

That is a beautiful capture.
Title: Re: So, what would you do with it?
Post by: elsa hoffmann on October 20, 2016, 21:02:15
this is one of those images you envisage printed LARGE (1.5 high)
Canvas. Stretched.
This is how I picture it when I look at it.
Title: Re: So, what would you do with it?
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 20, 2016, 21:09:06
Very very nice.
Title: Re: So, what would you do with it?
Post by: golunvolo on October 20, 2016, 22:23:11
I took it because I like it a lot too. After playing with it for a while in "edit contest" mode, I had two versions, color and bw. They are not better, just different. I like the way you present it.
Title: Re: So, what would you do with it?
Post by: Erik Lund on October 20, 2016, 23:52:52
I think the crop works very well like it is, the image is so strong that it is not held back from all of the green leaves, they sort of work like a framing that puts emphasis on the main subjects
Title: Re: So, what would you do with it?
Post by: charlie on October 21, 2016, 01:39:11
Bring the exposure and/or shadows down a bit, add a healthy dose of contrast, desaturate 15-20% except the greens, shift the green and yellow hue's a bit toward cyan, and crop the bottom so it is landscape 4x5 orientation.

That is what I would do with it.
Nice image.
Title: Re: So, what would you do with it?
Post by: tommiejeep on October 21, 2016, 04:08:43
Thanks all.   I'm documenting the building of a hotel on the plot next door for a couple of reasons.  First it is interesting subjects and secondly, we want to make sure the owner keeps to the approved plan (he has a history of paying bribes to do more than allowed  >:( ).
This is the full image out of camera RAW converted to jpeg and a first cut at close cropped B&W using only CNX2.  Going for a tight crop means losing detail on the trees.
Anyone wanting to post their PP , please do  :)
Title: Re: So, what would you do with it?
Post by: charlie on October 21, 2016, 05:05:21
I'm not quite convinced yet with the crop and color, but I'd do something in the neighborhood of this...

Edit: uploaded a lightened version
Title: Re: So, what would you do with it?
Post by: Airy on October 21, 2016, 05:54:26
Not for me - by darkening the greens, including her cloth by the way, you get a "peeping through pinhole" effect. The original crop (which I think well balanced) shows a lighter subject in good harmony with the equally light, somewhat enigmatic soft textures offered by the blurred leaves.
Title: Re: So, what would you do with it?
Post by: Akira on October 21, 2016, 07:43:09
I still like the original crop and process.  The initial inspiration is something to be cherished.
Title: Re: So, what would you do with it?
Post by: Erik Lund on October 21, 2016, 08:16:18
Ditto, the new versions looks like: too much effort in PP,,,
Title: Re: So, what would you do with it?
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on October 21, 2016, 08:43:44
All in all the original posted picture stands out as being the most successful in my opinion. Nice to see and be able to discuss alternatives, though; such is always helpful by providing additional insights.
Title: Re: So, what would you do with it?
Post by: Andrea B. on October 21, 2016, 09:19:50
This lovely photo does lend itself to alternate interpretations. I quite like the B&W version.

I also wondered if a slight recomposition might strengthen the emphasis on the mother and her son?
This is similar to the recomposition in the B&W version.
And I think yes, a bit more contrast is useful. But the colour got away from me!
Well, it was just an experiment. Thank you for letting us try some edits.  ;)
Title: Re: So, what would you do with it?
Post by: golunvolo on October 21, 2016, 11:56:32
Now I find this crop gives something extra as the viewer may connect with the image as through the eyes. The other two versions I did yesterday are just adjustments of contrast and color.
Title: Re: So, what would you do with it?
Post by: Airy on October 21, 2016, 13:11:56
the "holes" in the upper left are distracting.
Title: Re: So, what would you do with it?
Post by: tommiejeep on October 21, 2016, 15:18:27
Many thanks again and am very pleased that some of you posted your ideas.  I greatly appreciate the effort.   I much prefer the U-point of CNX2 (and colours from CNX2) .  Seems when I add contrast in PS CC2015 I always get the colours wrong.  In India there are so many skin colours and tones.  Really tough shooting Soccer in changing light .  In bright direct sun many of the skin tones go green.  I was surprised to see very deep black Nigerian player get heavy red in direct sun.   Some time back, The Mongo did his version of a black and white portrait of a woman I posted.  I learned a lot from his PP.

The site is maturing and I am here to learn.  There are some very good photographers here that post infrequently, or not at all, but I have seen their images on other sites.   If you do not feel like posting images you are most welcome to critique any of my images.  I have not misconceptions about my abilities.
Tom
Title: Re: So, what would you do with it?
Post by: Jim Covello on March 18, 2017, 20:55:07
I feel the lower part of the mother's body seen through the foliage should not be cut in any way.

+1

That is the prize for looking at the image carefully!

In fact, I might try cropping away the right-hand quarter or third of the original crop to make it taller. This gets rid of some of the light space behind her head and retains the dress subtly peaking through the foliage down low.

I realize we are cropping a crop, here...