#41 First try

[MarkR]

And, I'm back! Anybody miss me? :wink

Here's my first shot at #41 (and my wife informs me she has much classier shoes she'll let me use for the final!) C&C Always welcome.

"The first date."
http://hobbyist.smugmug.com/Photography/DGRIN/DSS41/IMGP1836-Edit-1/751960795_CfnwA-L.jpg

[Aspecto5]

I think this is an excellent concept. So many directions you could go to add more color and even some kind of background for those first date experiences. I think you'll do quite well with this idea. :D

[WhatSheSaw]

Very expressive! I like it. :clap

And, yes, I did miss you. :D

[Halite]

Great concept! Nice story told with simple objects. :clap I think you could punch up the execution. Glad to see you back.

[tinamarie52]

Welcome back. Great concept! Can' t wait to see the next pair of shoes in the final version.

Chris

[Greensquared]

Awesome concept! I wonder if you can push it further with a contextual setting. :dunno

[MarkR]

Thanks for the encouragement!:thumb I'm working on round two.

I decided I wanted to avoid putting any context around the shoes -- I want them to tell their story simply and without distraction, almost as if they're puppets on a stage. Dunno if that makes sense or not.

[divamum]

You bet we missed you - it's not the same without the Artistador!! :thumb

You have set the bar high already on this - talk about jumping into the fray with a great idea! Awesome! :clap

[MarkR]

Here's round two.

"The First Date"
http://hobbyist.smugmug.com/Photography/DGRIN/DSS41/IMGP1870-Edit-1/752703261_Pfkjw-L.jpg

Not sure about black on black background, and I'm really not happy with the "expression" of the female shoes, but I'm not sure how to fix it. :dunno

[WhatSheSaw]

I like the black BG.

Maybe one of the women's shoes up on tiptoe. :dunno

[photo-funtasia]

Very nice concept/idea :)

I also like the black background, but on the second shot, I can see a hallow around the woman's shoes

[MarkR]

Very nice concept/idea :)

I also like the black background, but on the second shot, I can see a hallow around the woman's shoes

Good catch! :thumb
The black on black is really hard to do and show good separation without some weird artifacts showing up. It's not working for me. My wife found another pair of shoes that contrast with the sneakers but in a different way -- will try that tomorrow.

Still need ideas for the girl shoe placement though. :dunno

[photo-funtasia]

Still need ideas for the girl shoe placement though. :dunno

Oh, I forgot: I actually like the girl shoes and their "expression" :)

[MarkR]

Decided against the fancy black shoes. Found my wife had some shoes that, to me, at least, give off a Molly Ringwold/Pretty-in-Pink vibe.

Your thoughts?

"The First Date"
http://hobbyist.smugmug.com/Photography/DGRIN/DSS41/IMGP1884-Edit-1/753431985_XTN7a-L.jpg

[Halite]

I like this last pairing the best. More youthful.

[WhatSheSaw]

:thumb I agree. This pairing really works. Maybe a tad more space on the left side.

[tinamarie52]

I like these shoes the best so far. The girl shoes seem to be too far in the background. I 6think a little more light would brighten them....unless you were going for the shy look.

chris

[MarkR]

Thanks everybody for the feedback.

I added some negative space to the left and a lot more to the top (not sure about this) and boosted the vibrance/saturation of the girl shoes.

C&C welcome.

"First Date"
http://hobbyist.smugmug.com/Photography/DGRIN/DSS41/IMGP1884-Edit-Edit-1/753510653_U7h67-L.jpg

[divamum]

The shoes are perfect! Only thing I might do is clone out the mfr/size information - not needed, and they distract from the otherwise delightful story. I'm still blown away that somebody could make unfilled shoes emotional - this is such a winning shot for me!

[MarkR]

Thank you Aspecto5, WhatSheSaw, Halite, Photo-bug, Greensquared, tinamarie52, for all for your help! :lust

Entry is posted. Happy New Year!

[Wil Davis]

Nice idea! Interesting composition…

…however, I can't help thinking that the women's shoes are the wrong way around, but perhaps it's just the angle, or is that intentional? :scratch

:thumb

- Wil

[MarkR]

Nice idea! Interesting composition…

…however, I can't help thinking that the women's shoes are the wrong way around, but perhaps it's just the angle, or is that intentional? :scratch

:thumb

- Wil

They're the right way round. They are a bit "floppy" so it may not be clear which way they go, but they are right way round. :dunno

[dlscott56]

... Only thing I might do is clone out the mfr/size information - not needed, and they distract from the otherwise delightful story...

I agree. Otherwise, PERFECT!