First post - Roof Photo C&C please

[edgivs]

So I went upstairs and got a few shots. This is the final image to be displayed in my portfolio. As you can see, stray hair bothered me a lot. It was a windy day so there wasn't much that could have been done.

Original photo below (50% size, file was too big), you are more than welcome to modify it. What would you have done?

 

[cgipson1]

Lighting is very flat in these... looks like an overcast day? No flash or reflector used? These don't "POP"... very flat! Should have used OCF fill flash....

The structure growing out of the top of her head could have easily been avoided... Not so bad in #1 (due to blur..), but very obvious in #2.

You blurred the background in #1 in post? It really looks bad... as you got her hair also, almost hurts the eyes.

You need to learn to use your aperture to control DOF... and learn to separate your model from the background!

That watermark is a bit much, too...


#1
[ PhotoME ]
PhotoME version: 0.79R17 (Build 856)

[ Overview ]
URL: http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...irst-post-roof-photo-c-c-please-rooftop_1.jpg
File type: JPEG
File size: 326.6 KB
Creation date: 4/6/2010 19:00
Last modification: 1/20/2013 09:46
Make: NIKON CORPORATION
Camera: NIKON D3000
Software: Adobe Photoshop CS6 (Windows)
Dimension: 533 x 800 px (0.4 MP, 2:3)
Focal length: 36 mm (equiv. 54 mm)
Aperture: F5.6
Exposure time: 1/125"
ISO speed rating: 160/23°
Program: Not defined
Metering Mode: Pattern
White Balance: Auto
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode

 

[edgivs]

Yes, very cloudy day, wanted to use that huge softbox up there, I will use an external flash next time. Agree on structure, poor composition. How would you deal with stray hair in PP?
any suggestion on the logo fade it make it small?

 

[Trever1t]

Skin tone looks ok but slightly under-exposed. Agree a little bit of OCF would get some spark in her eyes. Background is very busy and distracting.

If you shot in raw it should be fairly simple to correct.

 

[cgipson1]

Yes, very cloudy day, wanted to use that huge softbox up there, I will use an external flash next time. Agree on structure, poor composition. How would you deal with stray hair in PP?
any suggestion on the logo fade it make it small?

Either very careful cloning if needed.. but better to have the hair under control when shooting (whenever possible)

I DO recommend that you never use fake background blur... unless you are VERY good at photoshop.

Watermark? Change the opacity in a layer.. to whatever suits you. But don't allow the watermark to distract the viewer from the subject.

 

[tirediron]

Fly-away hair is HUGE PIA to deal with in post; make sure you have a cheap throw-away brush or comb in your kit when shooting this type of work! As far as the water-mark, if you must use it, then add it as a layer at say 50% (or less) opacity.

 

[edgivs]

Skin tone looks ok but slightly under-exposed. Agree a little bit of OCF would get some spark in her eyes. Background is very busy and distracting.

If you shot in raw it should be fairly simple to correct.

Here is the RAW file, would you mind showing me?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/izgyw4yzvup4s7m/DSC_0061.NEF

 

[cgipson1]

My take on a quickie edit....

Cleaned up hair... lightened, did a fake highlight in eyes... (the raw was not up when I started this... or I would have used that. My edit was from #2 above)
Edit_______________________________________________________________________________Original __________________________________________________________________
View attachment 33116

 

[texkam]

any suggestion on the logo fade it make it small?

Depends why you are using it. Use as needed. FB? Sure. Prominatly. Portfolio? No.

In #2, her wrist is lit exquisitely. Her face, not so much. I would use a reflector instead of flash.

 

[edgivs]

Thank you all for your advise :hail:. I will fix the watermark for this and future photos. brush/comb was a lesson learned, once I saw it my pc screen .
cgipson1 Your quick edit looks great, seems like I spent to much time trying to fix her hair and forgot about EVERYTHING else.

 

[texkam]

A friend with a piece of white foam core (if windy, it will need to be a strong friend) will make a difference.

 

[cgipson1]

any suggestion on the logo fade it make it small?

Depends why you are using it. Use as needed. FB? Sure. Prominatly. Portfolio? No.

In #2, her wrist is lit exquisitely. Her face, not so much. I would use a reflector instead of flash.

On a really overcast day.. I have never found reflectors to be as much help as fill flash. I usually prefer using both! lol!

 

[edgivs]

A friend with a piece of white foam core (if windy, it will need to be a strong friend) will make a difference.

lol I will give you a call (strong friend), do you recognize those building on the background? Reunion tower is to the left side of image.

 

[Trever1t]

OK just a quicky edit. added .35 exposure, lifted shadows, minor skin blend. I brightened the eyes too much and she needs more work but you get the idea.

 

[texkam]

lol I will give you a call (strong friend), do you recognize those building on the background? Reunion tower is to the left side of image.

You can't afford me. :lmao:

Looks like you're on the roof of the Infomart?