Which of them do you like best ?

[Antonio Correia]

One of these photos is going to the NON SCPs.

Which do you like best ? I have my doubts because I like them both very much.

My portraits are at Steve McCurry's level.

A.

B.

The image A has also been posted here.

[JK6065]

hi Antonio
I think that B gives the woman just a little bit more of a 'mystery' about what she's staring at and who she is herself. I think that just is the little bit of what A is missing compared to B to make it a great shot.

[Antonio Correia]

hi Antonio. I think that B gives the woman just a little bit more of a 'mystery' about what she's staring at and who she is herself. I think that just is the little bit of what A is missing compared to be to make it a great shot.

Thank you Jeroen for your opinion.
It is an appreciated one.

[stevewe88]

Hi Antonio
I voted for A as I think that B looks too posed. I also like the way that her eyes are staring straight through me as I look at A.

Just one more thing....the pink head scarf is so bright it hurts my eyes. Is that intentional?

[Antonio Correia]

...the pink head scarf is so bright it hurts my eyes. Is that intentional?

Thank you Steve.

No, the pink is in reality a bit less bright of course, but very near to what we can see now.

[Alis]

Nice colors, Antonio!

I think the first one looks too posed with the lady looking into the "sensor" , so naturally I would select the other one since that is the only difference between them but to be honest, I think the pose in the other shot becomes a distraction of it's own since her eyes is turned too much away from the camera.

So, if I have the option, I would shoot something in between these two (you may actually have some unprocessed shots like that) and if I have to choose between these two I would actually go with the first one because other than the fact that she is looking into the camera there is nothing else wrong with that one.

[Henrik]

In short: I go with A, as B seems a bit coquettish to me.

Regards, Henrik

[Antonio Correia]

Thank you Alis and Henrik !

I go for the first one indeed. I had my doubts, but not any more.

Thank you all for the cooperation (usual one)

[arith]

Looks like B for me; thanks for the link to Steve McCurry.

[Antonio Correia]

Looks like B for me; thanks for the link to Steve McCurry.

Thank you for your opinion Arith !

[GillR]

I voted for A: I much prefer the direct gaze as it engages me more with the subject.

[Antonio Correia]

I voted for A: I much prefer the direct gaze as it engages me more with the subject.

Thank you Gill

They are both so good that it is hard to find out which is the best.
In fact I opted for the 1.st one.

[KentDub]

I like them both. The first one seems more traditional, and there is nothing wrong with it. The second picture, however, I can't stop staring at it trying to figure out what she's looking at! It's because it keeps my eye locked on the photo for a longer duration that I lean towards the second picture.
Well done

[Antonio Correia]

I like them both...

That is my problem

I am keeping both of them but I posted in the nSCP the first one.

I want to increase the visits to the nSCP I would like people to post but ...

Thank you Kent for your comment

[Henrik]

BTW I like your frame very much - and the discrete © marking. Could you reveal your technique(s)?

I've tried playing with the frames and themes in Photoshop Elements 6.0, but they don't do, what you do!

Regards, Henrik

[Antonio Correia]

BTW I like your frame very much - and the discrete © marking. Could you reveal your technique(s)? I've tried playing with the frames and themes in Photoshop Elements 6.0, but they don't do, what you do! Regards, Henrik

Please Henrik be patient because I am now working on them but later I will explain what I do.

Curious, my son just told me he doesn't like the neither the frame nor the shadow...

Later please. I will not forget.

Cheers

[Antonio Correia]

Hello Henrik.
I am going to try to explain the process as well as I can.

I work with both LR and CS. LR is able to export images with canvas and watermark - signature - but not - that I am aware of - shadow.
So, to have both I had to go through CS. Anyone who knows how to please let me know. Thank you.

My problem was that I wanted the photos, regardless their crop, always with the same canvas thickness.

To solve this problem I made one Action which I duplicated according to the sizes of the images.

The action goes like this after the image is imported in CS or that is to say, exported from LR:
1. Convert it to 8 bit
2. Layer via Copy
3. Convert this layer to Smart Object (because I want it to keep it with the maximum quality when sizing)
4. Image size (all sizes referred to 30*30 in cms with 300 bits)
4.1. Size of the image when I want a 30*30 cms
4.2. Size of the image when I want a 30*40 cms
4.3. Size of the image when I want 30*50 cms
4.4. Size of the image when I want 20*30 cms
etc.
5. Canvas Size (1. st black thin line around the image)
6. Canvas Size (2.ed white canvas around)
7. Canvas Size (3.ed white canvas on bottom)
8. Canvas Size (1. st black thin line around the canvas)
9. Make text layer (makes the text and place it on the appropriate place)
10. Jump to layer of the image to make the shadow.
11. Save as jpg to a folder with the desired quality.

Well, the Save command is a bit more complicated because I save at the same action for Books (no name on them) for the web (name on them) and for printing with max quality to 3 different folders.

These are the fundamental lines of my complicated process.
I hope this is of some help.
In case you wish I can send you via mail one action where you place your name.

I intend to make a droplet and export the Action directly from LR but I didn't feel like till today.
Lazy guy I am...

OK ?

Just one more thing:
I erase the files after sending them to the web.
I erase the files after making the book.
I remove the files to print to a device that I can carry to the shop.
Why ? Because I work with LR and with it there is no need to keep jpg.
Even if you multiply your versions of the same image.
But this is another matter.

[Henrik]

Hello Antonio!

Thank you very much for your detailled description!

Alas - I don't have either Lightroom or Photoshop CS (I guessed that's what you ment). As I wrote, I tried Photoshop Elements. I have no experience with LR and CS.

From your description I don't get why you start in LR. Sounds like you do all the work in CS. Right?

Though complicated, I guess it works pretty neat for you, now you've found out how. For me a helping file from you would be of no use, so long I don't have the programs.

Maybe there is some sneaky little program, that does the trick? I'll look for it. When/if I eventually find something good, I'll let you know.

Your son should be proud of his father!

Regards, Henrik

[Antonio Correia]

Henrik.

All the work is done in LR and occasional in CS to correct perspective, lens deformations and so forth.
LR is great. You should try it.

[Henrik]

I guess I'd better have a look at LR.

Meanwhile I found the free FrameFun program that did this in a few minutes. Not your high standard, but a little something anyway.

Anyway - let there be room for comments on your two pictures!

Regards, Henrik