Jessie

[adriansadlier]

I went out tonight witha group from the RCC camera club. It was a "Buddy" group, where a more exoerienced member leads a group to explore a specific subject or genre. I got stuck with "Natural Light Portraiture" - possibly because I love it! One of the group persuaded the beautiful Jessica to pose in front of us imbeciles (she is a niece of said member).

The sun was hidden behind the clouds (seemingly permanent in Ireland nowadays). But the light was soft.

What do you think?

[andy]

Bonnie lass. Take the highlights out the nails?

[El Sid]

Lovely, has a real Hollywood publicity shot about it - not least because Jessie has the kind of beauty that could launch a thousand flicks...

[adriansadlier]

May 10, 2024 10:43:05 GMT andy said:

Bonnie lass. Take the highlights out the nails?

Hi Andy, its not highlights, it's white nail varnish to accentuate the tips of the nails (apparently).

Just got to edit some more and this is now my favourite!

[mick]

I've always been impressed with your B&W conversion but on this occasion I think that it's let you down.

The portrait (the face shot) looks very muddy to me. I took the liberty of playing in P'Shop and IMHO a tweak of contrast (higher) makes a big improvement.

I also agree that you really have to lose the white on the nails.

If that works I think that you have an excellent portrait. Does she like it - that's a tough test!

Mick

[adriansadlier]

May 11, 2024 8:08:27 GMT mick said:

I've always been impressed with your B&W conversion but on this occasion I think that it's let you down.

The portrait (the face shot) looks very muddy to me. I took the liberty of playing in P'Shop and IMHO a tweak of contrast (higher) makes a big improvement.

I also agree that you really have to lose the white on the nails.

If that works I think that you have an excellent portrait. Does she like it - that's a tough test!

Mick

Hi Mick,

I normally use strong contrast in my B&W conversions (some might call it my "style").

However, on this occasion, I made a conscious decision not to. I concentrated on the eyes, and wanted them to stand out most in the image, without pushing them too far. I'd be interested in others opinion (not that I don't value yours, I do - just want to get a consensus).

As for whether the model likes this (and the other shots I took) I have no idea, as yet.

And as for the nails - I don't like them but they are what the model (and a lot of her generation) chose. So I will leave it as it is. It she were a professional model for whom we had paid for her services, I would feel free to alter it. But as she was doing the shoot as a favour to her aunt (a member of the "Buddy Group"), I am less inclined to do so.

[mick]

May 11, 2024 23:38:20 GMT adriansadlier said:

May 11, 2024 8:08:27 GMT mick said:

I've always been impressed with your B&W conversion but on this occasion I think that it's let you down.

The portrait (the face shot) looks very muddy to me. I took the liberty of playing in P'Shop and IMHO a tweak of contrast (higher) makes a big improvement.

I also agree that you really have to lose the white on the nails.

If that works I think that you have an excellent portrait. Does she like it - that's a tough test!

Mick

Hi Mick,

I normally use strong contrast in my B&W conversions (some might call it my "style").

However, on this occasion, I made a conscious decision not to. I concentrated on the eyes, and wanted them to stand out most in the image, without pushing them too far. I'd be interested in others opinion (not that I don't value yours, I do - just want to get a consensus).

As for whether the model likes this (and the other shots I took) I have no idea, as yet.

And as for the nails - I don't like them but they are what the model (and a lot of her generation) chose. So I will leave it as it is. It she were a professional model for whom we had paid for her services, I would feel free to alter it. But as she was doing the shoot as a favour to her aunt (a member of the "Buddy Group"), I am less inclined to do so.

Point taken. However it depends on what you will use the picture for. If you intend entering it into a club comp the nails must go. Yes I know that club judges are idiots, know nothing etc but they dish out the marks so if you want to play their game you need to obey their 'rules'.

I disagree with the contrast issue - although I'm 100% with you about the eyes. I think that a tweak of contrast improves the eyes and gets rid of the mud.

However - each to his own. I respect your reasoning.

Mick

PS You could always have two versions. One for the model and one for other purposes!

[Kath]

At the moment, I feel the eyes pop too much. A small tweak to the overall contrast still lets them stand out but not in an artificial way. I'd be inclined to tone down the white on the nails rather than remove it completely. I think the problem is they pop as much as the eyes do which is giving them far more attention than they need or deserve. Otherwise, lovely!

[Chester PB]

Good model, perfectly (and softly lit), and not spoiled by nasal jewellery or ugly tattoos.
Perhaps the fingernails could be toned own (or some mid-tone matt nail varnish used?), but that is all.
I love the eyebrows.

An excellent example of the art of using just natural light and your skill. The old advice about bright overcast days providing the most flattering light is always a safe guide to follow. I'm always amused when people use very complex studio lighting to create exactly this effect.

[mick]

Sorry couldn't resist in the end. All I did was copy image into P'shop and click "auto contrast".  That made the hand much too bright so I've crudely done a bit of burning and made a bit of a mess of it!!. IMHO it's better but the hand is no good now!! Then I reduced the size for convenience.

If you were to go along this route then you need to watch that her right shoulder doesn't get too bright.

Mick

[pentaxpete]

I think it is GOOD except that her eyes have too much of a Frightening 'Stare' with her raised eyebrows as well-- probably 'held pose for too long'