Skin!

[DigiDiva]

Here goes, I'm being really brave and posting one of my portraits. This is my 1st serious attempt at portraiture and the 1st time I have used dodge and burn. It was also the 1st time I used my new Canon 60D too. Would mainly like comments on the low key lighting attempt, where I have placed the shadows, my B&W conversion and the dodge and burn attempt. I understand how the subject may come across as weird and will not be many peoples cup of tea. Would like both negative and positive comments to help me improve. Cheers

[markgozz]

Chris I'm a bit like you still finding my way around the art of photography as well as the technical side of things so I can only talk as I see it .

I think this is a really good , interesting and well executed portrait , great composition and the B & W conversion is spot on for my taste .
But the one thing that keeps catching my eye is the depth of field and whether it needs to be just a bit deeper , the sharpness on the eye is pin sharp but starts to soften as you get to the nose . This may well be as you intended it so that the focus was on this side of the face only but it does stop me from looking deeper into the image .

Great work well done .

Mark

[DigiDiva]

Thanks Mark. In college, the studio was set up so everyone had the same camera settings. We had to meter for ISO 100, 1/60 shutter speed, F8- F11. I did find some of the photo's were softer around the edges than others, but this is probs because I used a prime lens so was moving in and ou from the model. There is so much to learn!!!

I also took some high key using different textures too.Will post one of them tomorrow if I get the chance.

[DigiDiva]

Looking at it on my PC at work (rather than the little net book at home) I can see how it isn't as sharp as it could be! I'm hopeless with hand held!

[markgozz]

Chris I will have another look when I get home but from what I can remember the sharpness was great just a very shallow depth of field .

Mark

[markgozz]

Just had another look and I can't see how you could of got the sharp parts any sharper than they are now , dam good for 1/60 hand held .

Mark

[DigiDiva]

Thanks very much for your comments. Wish others would comment to, it's nice to received a broader opinion but the action in here is dropping off.

[markgozz]

Do feel a bit lonely some times

Mark

[DigiDiva]

Might put the feelers out for another forum.

[karenoliver]

To be honest, it took some time for me to realise it wasnt a spike in his mouth but loose skin being pulled off?
I still like it though and its good to see something really creative being experiented with.

Karen