My little Sinister Ninja Wizard

[mstrozewski]

My son has been sick since last week. He had a nasty fever that was steady at 102 for 4 days straight. It finally broke this morning But he missed out on going trick or treating, so instead, I thought we'd do a mini photo shoot to cheer him up. I bought fake scars and blood and used my make-up to make his face look gory. Then he put on his costume and we went outside in the dark to take pictures of him. I used the Canon 7D, wireless transmitters, manual flash and 1- 24" softbox.







Note: There is heavy post processing on these to give it that "sinister" effect. Some color changes, burning & dodging. I like the outcome and I think it shows what my son was hoping to be (minus the makeup though lol)

What do you think?

[JPS]

Hi Mavourneen,
A very nice set of pictures, but No.1 is fantastic. Well done.

[Mark von Kanel]

Excellent work, your son must be well chuffed!

[mstrozewski]

Ah yes Number 1 is my favorite But my son just thinks its creepy and he said his friends would probably be creeped out by it as well LOL

Here's the original SOOC -



huge difference, right? lol I wish I could produce what I did in photoshop directly in the camera...I need more lights and an assistant haha...

[Polar01]

Very nicely done, you have make that red now look like real dried blood, as such it should creep someone out as, that is how it looks after the battle is over and you are still alive.

Cheers:

Allan

[Mike Buckley]

Glad to learn that your son is on the mend if not totally back to normal health!

These are SO nice that I just have to mention the one aspect that I think is worth trying to improve if it can be done in post-processing: Notice the few places where there is no separation between the black clothing and the background. Try to get at least a little separation, such as between your son's right shoulder and the background in the first image. The same for the right side (his right side) of his hood.

[allenlennon]

No.1 is my favourite, especilly how his eye turned out!

[acsky]

Hi Mavourneen

Excellent job! Definitely!

For me also No.1 is my favorite. I'm curious about the composition. The way he is holding his sword divides his face in two. Why did you choose that pose?

Toño

[Loose Canon]

Hi Mavourneen,

I agree with Son. These are horrifyingly creepy!

I love them!

I once did a post job on one of my grand daughters that made her look like one of those vampire thingies that are(were) so popular. Twilight Saga if I remember correctly. She was pretty creepy herself. Her friends agreed! I then had a ton of requests from her friends to give them the same treatment!

Nice job on the post production.

[Ollokot]

Hi Mavourneen,
Beautifully done from click to post.

[mstrozewski]

@Tono I chose that pose because it represents "strong" and an emphasis on "power". At least I see it that way.

[mstrozewski]

@Terry, That's really cool you got requests! I was thinking next Halloween to offer something like this for everyone.

[salemslot]

Glad to learn that your son is on the mend if not totally back to normal health!

These are SO nice that I just have to mention the one aspect that I think is worth trying to improve if it can be done in post-processing: Notice the few places where there is no separation between the black clothing and the background. Try to get at least a little separation, such as between your son's right shoulder and the background in the first image. The same for the right side (his right side) of his hood.

As everyone has said these are truly cracking shots HUGE pat on the back for these But if you did all or some of the post processing work that Mike says here then in my opinion you would make the shots look like the shots you got in the first place without the post processing that makes these good shots SO much better....

[mstrozewski]

I did all post processing work, i've been shooting for 7 years and used PS7 to PSCS4 for along time. And I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to say? Are you trying to say I should have left the original image as it is? Because it doesn't look sinister..the post processing really brings it out. But every photographer is different and has their own opinion on what looks good.

[kdoc856]

Hi, Mavourneen

All good, but #1 is just superb, and I love the way you processed it. Great subject for a "grunge" approach. Although the separation that Mike refers to is almost always true, in this case having your "demon" emerge seemlessly from the black background seems entirely appropriate. Your avoidance of any temptation to place him dead in the center was spot on- I couldnt but help looking over his left shoulder to see what else might loom out of the darkness. Well done.

Kevin

[salemslot]

I did all post processing work, i've been shooting for 7 years and used PS7 to PSCS4 for along time. And I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to say? Are you trying to say I should have left the original image as it is? Because it doesn't look sinister..the post processing really brings it out. But every photographer is different and has their own opinion on what looks good.

I am sorry, i meant to say that the post processing has turned the good shots into great shots and well done for all the hard work in post processing