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Photo Critique #119

Photo Critique #119

on Jan 13th 2012 with 11 comments

Friday Photo Critique is our weekly community project, where we publish a photograph submitted by one of our wonderful readers, then ask you all to offer constructive feedback on the image. It’s a great way to learn more about photography, express your viewpoint, and have your own image critiqued!

Quick Ground Rules

  1. Play nice! We’ve deliberately chosen photographs that aren’t perfect, so please be constructive with any criticism.
  2. Feel free to offer any type of advice – composition, lighting, post-processing etc.
  3. You can also link to photographs that you feel offer a great example of this type of image shot exceptionally well.

Without further ado, here is this week’s candidate for Friday Photo Critique!

The Photograph

Photo Details & Inspiration

  • Canon Rebel XT
  • 55mm
  • f/9
  • 1/6
  • ISO 1600

I just wanted to create something exotic. I used a 1000W halogen light from Home Depot (double headed with stand) placed in front of model, between 3-7 ft away. I used a white sheet draped over a garment rack to soften the light.

Photographer: GiGi Rodgers

Please let us know what you think in the comments – how would you have approached the scene or taken the photo differently? A massive thank you to everyone who commented last week.

The most constructive and helpful comments will be featured on the site. Interested in submitting your own photo? You can do so here!

 
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By

Rollover to read this author's bio or click through to see a full list of posts by this author.

I was raised in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio. After high school, I left for Western Kentucky University where I obtained degrees in photojournalism and cultural anthropology. I am currently employed by CityBeat, an arts and entertainment weekly in Cincinnati. The work I am doing here is very rewarding and I suspect it will continue to be. I am available for freelance work in all areas of photography.  

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  • jefpare

    Maybe a bit long on the left side. Otherwise amazing shot

  • http://www.bushtography.wordpress.com Bushtography

    This isn’t my kind of photo but still think it’s very good with nice composition.

    The things I would say are that it may benefit from widening the aperture and reducing the ISO, reducing the noise and improving the detail. The image doesn’t benefit from having the larger depth of field. Also, I find the eyebrow distracts from the eye which may benefit from being removed in PP.

    Nice Job.

  • http://www.hdr4real.com Mark Neal

    I love the drama of this extreme contrast. But, somehow the main point of interest, the eyes, is diminished by the excessive black and white areas that actually draw attention away. In other words, it’s a little too busy. Actually, the square rendition at the top of the page is a better composition and a wonderful starting point where the eyes could be further dramatized by eliminating some of the white sections.
    Overall technique is beautiful though.

  • fast eddie

    The ISO is way too high for a model shot. Other than that, it’s pretty interesting. The catch lights in her eye’s really make them look alive.

    What’s the black stuff? Was it done in post processing?

  • Peter Krahulik

    Great idea. I like it very much.

    I agree with the ISO/aperture comment above. The eyebrow is OK, without it, the eye would appear too unnatural to me. I would like to see the whole fingertip in the right upper corner, because it is too near to the face and instead crop a bit more from the left side, but not too much.

    Thanks for sharing.

  • Andre

    I like this photo very much.

    It has that whole advert feel to it, I also like the fact that a photograph has been added on photo critique that has some ‘out of the ordinary post processing/manipulation added to it.

    I agree with the other comments, ISO is to high.

    I wonder how it would look if you added saturated background instead of the black background you currently have. For example; a dessert with a dry, cracked ground and a city(perhaps) in the far background.

    Overall very good photo, thank you for sharing :)

  • Pat Filteau

    I love that contrast!

    I agree with the comments above: wider aperture = lower ISO.

    One more detail: you cut one finger! ;)

  • thad balmas

    To add more drama the irises should be 100% visible and the pupils black. Otherwise a very nice photo.

  • http://www.phoozl.com Harald Johnson

    Good concept and clever low-tech lighting! You achieved your goal of being “exotic”. And I like the composition/framing. Only thing distracting to me is the ring, as I’m drawn to that as much as the eyes. Although might work for a jewelry advert! And there only being 4 fingers is a bit unsettling, but I guess that also makes it exotic. I like it!

  • http://cmfolio.com cmfolio

    I’m on board with the others. The ISO is too high and f/9 isn’t really necessary. It’s making your shutter speed way too slow and that cause a slight motion blur on the whole image. Also, the black blotch in the top left is very noticeable, along with I assume burning you did on the black parts of the body paint. You might not notice these if you are on a darker screen, such as Mac monitors. I also agree with losing the ring.

    The idea of the shot is very cool though. That part is good and all you need is to make some adjustments then this could be exactly what you imagined.

  • Eric

    This is horribly photoshopped. I take it you have a very bad/poor monitor. To see the very obvious effects just view the image at 100% and tilt your monitor down a bit. Or just look down at your monitor from up above. The post processing will stand out like crazy.