Steampunk Session

celticwhim · Nov 11, 2013

I did this Steampunk stylized shoot a few days ago right as the sun was setting. I think they turned out cute. Any outside thoughts are welcome. I am curious what other people think of this style? These were taken with a Nikon D800 right before sunset in the foothills.

pixmedic · Nov 11, 2013

I don't really care for the desaturated/washed out/faded look on those top photos.
I recognize that this is often classified as a "style", for some reason, but it just isn't one I particularly think is very good.
I will admit the same distaste for sun flare.
strictly personal taste mind you.

the bottom photos i find much more appealing.
the left is tightly framed, but nicely done. I like this one. her smile looks a bit forced, but when you work with kids, sometimes you just take what you can get when its close enough. I am getting the feeling that the color version of this one had pretty harsh lighting, but I like the processing on the conversion.

I originally wanted to say that the middle photo had the saturation pushed up just a little too much....but i think that for the type of shot this is, and being steampunk, it actually works out well. I like the framing on this one as well, and the girls expression is wonderful. I might have called this one the best shot of the set, If i had not seen the last photo. It could be a tie between the two.

the bottom right photo is very nicely done. the framing might be a HAIR tighter than i personally would have liked to see on this one, but it is still good.
the girls expression is perfect for this shot. The processing on it is a little different than the rest. it gives a nice contrast. a little light, a little dark. I think it works very well. definitely a keeper.

celticwhim · Nov 11, 2013

Thanks for your thoughts! I do tend to crop tight, just a personal avenue I guess. But that is her real smile, lol, she was actually in the middle of a laugh. She is very dramatic, I know well....she is mine. :mrgreen: This is actually the first time I really experimented with the sun flares and they are all in camera, not PS. I thought it worked well for this type, but I probably wouldn't have use that technique otherwise. The lighting on the rest was actually quite nice as the sun was setting, but they are heavily edited. I am still learning PS and hope I will get better with time and practice.

TheFantasticG · Nov 11, 2013

pixmedic said:
I don't really care for the desaturated/washed out/faded look on those top photos.
I recognize that this is often classified as a "style", for some reason, but it just isn't one I particularly think is very good.
I will admit the same distaste for sun flare.
strictly personal taste mind you.

the bottom photos i find much more appealing.
the left is tightly framed, but nicely done. I like this one. her smile looks a bit forced, but when you work with kids, sometimes you just take what you can get when its close enough. I am getting the feeling that the color version of this one had pretty harsh lighting, but I like the processing on the conversion.

I was going to type some stuff but when I scrolled down to get to the reply box I saw you already typed up what I was going to type. Much apprecaited you reading my mind and typing it up for me

wyogirl · Nov 11, 2013

I think it is a very cute set. Steampunk is so big where I live right now. The 5th image is my favorite.

Overread · Nov 11, 2013

I think Steam Punk can work well when one tries to emulate the older appearance of earlier film photos - thing is its one of those effects you can't do half hearted. You've got to go in fully to really make the viewer feel that its gritty film to really get the effect to pull off (or just use real film

).

Fun set - but next time get some oil/grease to add to the mix. A few smudges adds a lot of character to this kind of genre.

pixmedic · Nov 11, 2013

Overread said:
I think Steam Punk can work well when one tries to emulate the older appearance of earlier film photos - thing is its one of those effects you can't do half hearted. You've got to go in fully to really make the viewer feel that its gritty film to really get the effect to pull off (or just use real film ).

Fun set - but next time get some oil/grease to add to the mix. A few smudges adds a lot of character to this kind of genre.

i recommend super blue high temp grease.