challenge 28: Nadi's portraits

[nadi]

I had a christmas party last weekend and used the opportunity to take a few shots of my friends. Here are two I've finished playing with:

http://nadi.smugmug.com/photos/13007794-M.jpg

http://nadi.smugmug.com/photos/13007795-M.jpg

What do people think?

[ginger_55]

I like the second one best, by far. The arm of the woman is distracting to me. The lighting on her, basically, is distracting: for instance, the heavy shadow from her nose. The second one is sooo superior, I just had to come back on and commend you for the second one.

On the second one, I am one of those people who love that type of framing, some don't. I don't know what others will say. If you are entering it, I would go with the majority opinion, smile.

I was going to buy that framing set up, but it was sooo expensive, for me. I love it, especially as you used it. And I like your toning.

ginger

[ian408]

I think the first shot might benefit by cropping the arm out. The lighting
really sets the mood for this image. The second has a sort of "cover art"
feel to it. I like the framing and color tone of the image.

Ian

[jwear]

I go along with ian on this one with out the arm .the contrast i like

[nadi]

I tried the crop on the arm, but I preferred the original framing. Cloning the arm out didn't work, so I used a lighting effect on a new layer to put the arm in heavier shadow. What do you think?

http://nadi.smugmug.com/photos/13069093-M.jpg

[nadi]

I was going to buy that framing set up, but it was sooo expensive, for me. I love it, especially as you used it. And I like your toning.

gingerthanks ginger, really appreciate that coming from you! :bow

the frame was part of a free sample with the October edition of Digital Photo magazine. You can supposedly get back issues here (http://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/store/displaystore.asp?sid=91&custid=23@12@200417116@989732630).

[jwear]

better, less distracting

[yvonne]

better, less distractingNo, I think it's worse! It looks false in a "this has obviously been doctored" kind of way.

In all honesty, I think you have to accept that the shot has a composition problem due to the arm, and either a.) just crop in hard on head/shoulders, b.)graduate down to black for the lower part of the shot, or c.) leave it.


You've got a really nice shot in the other one - I also like the framing.

[nadi]

Personally, I like the second one better anyway. I think I might go with that as my entry so far as its the less "controversial" option! :rofl

[nadi]

.... but I don't like these as much as the first two....

http://nadi.smugmug.com/photos/13118807-M.jpg



http://nadi.smugmug.com/photos/13118806-M.jpg


I know it may seem like I'm going overboard with the borders here, but I just think they go well on portraits..... :dunno

[Sandy]

Nadi, I would choose the smiling lady, I think it is your best shot.