Say Hello to ... Shannon

[Colin Southern]

Shot in the studio a few hours ago. Happy to answer any questions, as per usual

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Colin,

Good as ever, being super critical (as it's you* ) #1, for me, is spoilt slightly by Shannon's left eye having a bit of a 'panda' effect, then also having the backward C shape of specular on the left side of her face surrounding it.

#2 is just plain great though, it has everything going for it, good colour combinations, exposure, vignette backgound light, focus, etc.

* this is a cackhanded compliment, since we have to be super critical to find anything vaguely constructive to say
With your pictures, any improvements are going make the top 2% difference only

Cheers,

[Colin Southern]

Thanks Dave,

Vignette in #2 you say? Or could it be straight OOC using a tight grid on the two background lights?

[FrankMi]

Hi Colin, very nice captures! I was wondering how much retouching you would typically do to images like this? I understand that the eyes, in particular, are almost always retouched to make them look this good.

[rpcrowe]

Lovely portraits. I also like #2 the best...

[Dave Humphries]

Thanks Dave,

Vignette in #2 you say? Or could it be straight OOC using a tight grid on the two background lights?

Yes, I thought "vignette background light" (all one phrase) was more descriptive and quicker to type than "tight grid on the two background lights"

(except I mis-splet background )

Good distraction tactic though

[Colin Southern]

Hi Colin, very nice captures! I was wondering how much retouching you would typically do to images like this? I understand that the eyes, in particular, are almost always retouched to make them look this good.

Thanks Frank,

Pretty much a usual set of things;

- Skin spots
- Eye sharpness
- Eye saturation
- Eye lashes
- Skin smoothing
- Eye whitening
- Teeth whitening

In addition to the usual post-procesing;

- Levels
- Vignette
- Crop

So to answer the question, yes, usually a bit of time spent on the eyes.

[Colin Southern]

Lovely portraits. I also like #2 the best...

Thanks Richard,

I like them both pretty equally

[Colin Southern]

Yes, I thought "vignette background light" (all one phrase) was more descriptive and quicker to type than "tight grid on the two background lights"

Actually, I did apply a vignette I've tried doingit with gridded lights; it works OK too, but the post-crop vignette tool is just so darn good!

Good distraction tactic though

You noticed

[arith]

I like Pandas; but I think maybe the shadow should be brighter, and highlights lower in #1. Picture #2 is alright, but could be posed better, you should ask her to say something like, Duffy.

[MajaMolly]

Both are beautiful images of a beautiful girl. Number one is outstanding. I know it's usually said to wear sleeves, but a lot of times sleeveless works and it works great here. The color of her top (dress) matches her hair beautifully and contrasts so nicely with the color of her skin and eyes and the darker background draws me in and... she looks relaxed and happy. Perfect.

[MrB]

Colin, you post so many beautiful photographs like these of so many different beautiful girls - if this is your "work" I can't imagine you ever retiring! You must have a wonderful life.

Philip

[Colin Southern]

I like Pandas; but I think maybe the shadow should be brighter, and highlights lower in #1. Picture #2 is alright, but could be posed better, you should ask her to say something like, Duffy.

Thanks Steve,

I've refined the images slightly since I got to work, but haven't put the updated versions up yet (with respect to the highlights). Not sure what the "panda" reference refers to though

[Colin Southern]

Both are beautiful images of a beautiful girl. Number one is outstanding. I know it's usually said to wear sleeves, but a lot of times sleeveless works and it works great here. The color of her top (dress) matches her hair beautifully and contrasts so nicely with the color of her skin and eyes and the darker background draws me in and... she looks relaxed and happy. Perfect.

Thank you Mary.

[Colin Southern]

Colin, you post so many beautiful photographs like these of so many different beautiful girls - if this is your "work" I can't imagine you ever retiring! You must have a wonderful life.

Philip

Thanks Phillip,

It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it!

[speedneeder]

I like #3 the best.

[Colin Southern]

I like #3 the best.

You mean this one?

[MajaMolly]

That's not fair...I thought there were only 2

[Mark Lawrence]

Absolutely Stunning!
Great work.
Mark

[gaelicsea]

Absolutely beautiful!