Spread those legs..

DGMPhotography · May 22, 2014

Literally...

So here's another from my last shoot! I'm probably gonna clone out that dark spot on the ground, so ignore that. I really love the shadow. What do you think?

Thanks!

Derrel · May 22, 2014

I wish she had more space above her head. But yeah, the shadow is interesting. Full-size version of this image looks a bit too noisy. I would burn down the background drawing on the wall to the right of the picture, to keep the emphasis on the real live woman, and off of the painting on the wall. Maybe lighten up the concrete a bit, but make her shadow realllly crisp and black, to emphasize that; work very carefully on the curves in the lower tonal values, to make sure there's good contrast in the darkest values.

shaylou · May 22, 2014

I think you like this shot a lot so I'm hesitant to critique it. Please keep in mind this is just my opinion. I see many things that do not agree with me. The positioning of the subject gives the image an unbalanced feel. She is facing out of the pic where most of the shot is behind her. Generally you want the subject facing the negative space in the composition to give balance and or direction.
The next thing that I see is the intersection of the shadows. They are crossed up with what appears to be two lines of some sort (not important) but the way the shadows intersect with whatever that is on the wall doesn't work in my opinion. It draws your eye off the shadow and on to whatever that is on the wall. Moving here and her shadow down the wall a little to get away from that line might be an option.
I also think the walls behind her are a bit detracting. Simple fix, open up the lens a bit.

I have been studying composition hard core for a while now so I might be too critical. I hope I has not too harsh and I actually helped some how.

DGMPhotography · May 22, 2014

Derrel said:
I wish she had more space above her head. But yeah, the shadow is interesting. Full-size version of this image looks a bit too noisy. I would burn down the background drawing on the wall to the right of the picture, to keep the emphasis on the real live woman, and off of the painting on the wall. Maybe lighten up the concrete a bit, but make her shadow realllly crisp and black, to emphasize that; work very carefully on the curves in the lower tonal values, to make sure there's good contrast in the darkest values.

Thanks for the feedback! Yeah, unfortunately, to get the angle I wanted I had to use my kit lens and that means narrow aperture. f/3.5 was the lowest I could get, so I had to step up the ISO. One of these days I'm gonna get a wide-angle lens!

I'll try to apply some of your suggestions and post the edit!

And shaylou, I appreciate your feedback as well, however, she (her face and eyes) are not facing out of the frame, but towards the viewer. Personally, I know this breaks a few rules, but I like the result. That black thing on the wall does bother me though. And this is more editorial than simply portrait so I thought it important to keep the background in focus... that, and like I mentioned, kit lens

In any case, thanks for your comments - I'll take them into consideration as well!

jadelm31 · May 22, 2014

I think it is interesting and love the shadow but would of maybe liked the background to be a little more out of focus. (from beyond her shadow)...maybe a slightly more open f-stop and a tad less shadows around her face. Overall though..very cool!

DGMPhotography · May 24, 2014

I'm going to try to do some heavy shopping on that dark thing, and some other stuff, so stay tuned... I'll post the edit when it's done.

DGMPhotography · May 25, 2014

Okay, here it is.

What do you think?

slackercruster · May 25, 2014

Nice, yes clone it out.

Derrel · May 25, 2014

YES!!! The cloning work on the BG definitely improved this!

DGMPhotography · May 26, 2014

Derrel said:
YES!!! The cloning work on the BG definitely improved this!

Glad you approve! But it's oh so tiresome..

Derrel · May 26, 2014

Yeah, I know whatcha' mean...major cloning can be a PITA...but in this instance it was really worth it! You make some good decision on how to clone the background so it looked "real", and also appropriate to the original vision of the big, looooong shadow! It made a huge difference in the effectiveness of the shot to have her torso's shadow fall on a "clean" piece of wall, and not overlap the black-painted design. This is really a case of absolutely NEEDING to make an executive decision for the very success of the shot. As originally seen, it's just not that "impactful", to use a modern word. With the background cleaned up, the whole concept just comes through loud and clear!

DGMPhotography · May 27, 2014

Derrel said:
Yeah, I know whatcha' mean...major cloning can be a PITA...but in this instance it was really worth it! You make some good decision on how to clone the background so it looked "real", and also appropriate to the original vision of the big, looooong shadow! It made a huge difference in the effectiveness of the shot to have her torso's shadow fall on a "clean" piece of wall, and not overlap the black-painted design. This is really a case of absolutely NEEDING to make an executive decision for the very success of the shot. As originally seen, it's just not that "impactful", to use a modern word. With the background cleaned up, the whole concept just comes through loud and clear!

I agree that it was worth it! Thanks for your support!