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Thread: Contemplation IV

  1. #1
    dragon76's Avatar
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    Contemplation IV

    Contemplation IV

  2. #2
    Shadowman's Avatar
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    Re: Contemplation IV

    Nicely done.

  3. #3
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    Re: Contemplation IV

    Love the composition and the rich contrasting colors here.

  4. #4
    Dave A's Avatar
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    Re: Contemplation IV

    Dean, outstanding image and what a great location.

    Dave

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    Re: Contemplation IV

    A tricky exposure well controlled. Good composition as well.

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    Re: Contemplation IV

    Hi Dean,

    Is this a composite?
    I ask because of the incorrectly set black point and colour cast on the sea, and rocks on the left hand side.

    If it isn't a composite, then perhaps it is just a combination of blue cast due to the sky light on the shadow side of the rocks and the black level being higher as that is more distant than the right hand side.

    An eye catching image, none-the-less.

    Intrigued, Dave

  7. #7
    dragon76's Avatar
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    Re: Contemplation IV

    Thanks Geoff, Dave A, Ash & John.

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave Humphries View Post
    Hi Dean,

    Is this a composite?
    I ask because of the incorrectly set black point and colour cast on the sea, and rocks on the left hand side.

    If it isn't a composite, then perhaps it is just a combination of blue cast due to the sky light on the shadow side of the rocks and the black level being higher as that is more distant than the right hand side.

    An eye catching image, none-the-less.

    Intrigued, Dave
    Hi Dave H,

    It is not a composite. The colour cast came from the cyan water which was intensified by the use of CPL & a bit of PP. Regarding the shadow, this was taken around midday so it casted a dense shadow on her face so I used SB910 with a small modifier to gain back some details on her face and therefore the shadow on her face and behind her are much lighter than the shadow on the basalt rocks formation.

    Originally, I was planning to use vari ND and Alien Bees AB800 but it was a very windy day and it was already difficult to make our way down to this part with just backpack. Besides, there was not much space and it a about 4-5m drop from where she's sitting to the water and the waves constantly smashing against the rocks spraying water upward into the lens. By the way, I shot this with a 24mm so things appear to be a bit smaller than they actually are.

    Thanks for liking the image.

    Dean

  8. #8
    IzzieK's Avatar
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    Re: Contemplation IV

    Very nice, Dean, good composition too. Where do you get your models? There seem to be a lot concentrated in your area there...the best I can find around me is a manequin and my little dog...poor me!!!

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    Re: Contemplation IV

    I have more mixed feelings than the other folks above. I like the composition and pose. Everything seems precisely structured with a very level horizon. To my eye, she seems too bright, particularly her chest, hand, and top of her dress. The rocks make for a great complimentary structure but seem to lack contrast as if lifted perhaps. I am not really a fan of polarizers and would prefer a more even sky. I think these are superficial criticisms that could be easily fixed if desired.

  10. #10
    Moderator Dave Humphries's Avatar
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    Re: Contemplation IV

    Thanks for the explanation Dean,

    Looking at it again, I think it is an overall black point that's not as it should/could be.
    I know you were filling with flash and so it may seem counter intuitive, but I'd darken the blacks overall, even her shadow on the rocks isn't as deep as (I think) it should be.

    I accept your point on the colour of the rocks (left).

    It all sounds a bit precarious, so well done for getting the image regardless - this kind of photography is something I have been learning about at CreativeLive and Lynda.com, so one day, I may have a go myself.

  11. #11
    William W's Avatar
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    Re: Contemplation IV

    The Composition; Camera Viewpoint; Focal Length; and the Crop to 7:5 Aspect Ratio are absolutely top drawer and work magnificently – perhaps those are faultless, I think:

    water channel to rock line;
    rock line to foot;
    foot to leg;
    leg to hand;
    hand to bust;
    bust at horizon;
    head to rock line;
    rock outcrop to hips;
    small rock outcrop to bust;
    all in thirds vertical / halves horizontal.

    Viewed on our Studio Monitor, it is an eye catching, stunning, sensual portrait.

    Bravo.

    *

    I think that the pale skin and the tone of the sun and the lighter tones of the shadows on the rocks where she is sitting is more than OK, when the image is viewed "big". (please see below more comments about this point)


    ***

    Apropos Dave Humpries’ two comments regarding the Black Point and the Colour Cast – I concur in regard to the Colour Cast on the shadow side of the large rock outcrop: if it were mine I would ‘fix’ that: I think once the cast is gone, then there will no longer be an ‘issue’ regarding the Black Point.

    ***

    Here is what I mean - the original is on the top and the image below is a 40 second very rough PP comprising ONLY the Colour Correction of the shadow side of the big rock outcrop:

    Contemplation IV

    *
    Here are the two images separated, in case you want to down load them and compare separately:

    Contemplation IV
    Original

    Contemplation IV
    Redo

    redo is ONLY a Colour Corrected shadow side of large rock outcrop
    (Minor adjustments by my eye to: Cyan / Red; and to Yellow/Blue.
    Adjustments were across all three: Shadow; Mid tone Highlight.
    Used (old) Photoshop Version CR2.)

    WW

    (PS Dean: If you want to download then do so before I delete them off the server - I clean other people's images out each month or so)
    Last edited by William W; 16th August 2016 at 02:33 AM. Reason: added PS note to Dean

  12. #12
    dragon76's Avatar
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    Re: Contemplation IV

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave Humphries View Post
    Thanks for the explanation Dean,

    Looking at it again, I think it is an overall black point that's not as it should/could be.
    I know you were filling with flash and so it may seem counter intuitive, but I'd darken the blacks overall, even her shadow on the rocks isn't as deep as (I think) it should be.

    I accept your point on the colour of the rocks (left).

    It all sounds a bit precarious, so well done for getting the image regardless - this kind of photography is something I have been learning about at CreativeLive and Lynda.com, so one day, I may have a go myself.

    Hi Dave

    Yes you are correct about the black point because I squashed the black point (with curve) to give it a light faded look and I also added a bit of noise. I tend to do this with most photos that I ever took at around midday.

  13. #13
    dragon76's Avatar
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    Re: Contemplation IV

    Quote Originally Posted by IzzieK View Post
    Very nice, Dean, good composition too. Where do you get your models? There seem to be a lot concentrated in your area there...the best I can find around me is a manequin and my little dog...poor me!!!
    Thanks Izzie, I am married to this one but yes I did a gig for someone a while back and through word of mouth, I got more and more models I just need to find the time for shooting.

  14. #14

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    Re: Contemplation IV

    Great image, IMO William's edit made a more balanced image in terms of color

  15. #15
    dragon76's Avatar
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    Re: Contemplation IV

    Quote Originally Posted by William W View Post
    The Composition; Camera Viewpoint; Focal Length; and the Crop to 7:5 Aspect Ratio are absolutely top drawer and work magnificently – perhaps those are faultless, I think:

    water channel to rock line;
    rock line to foot;
    foot to leg;
    leg to hand;
    hand to bust;
    bust at horizon;
    head to rock line;
    rock outcrop to hips;
    small rock outcrop to bust;
    all in thirds vertical / halves horizontal.

    Viewed on our Studio Monitor, it is an eye catching, stunning, sensual portrait.

    Bravo.

    *

    I think that the pale skin and the tone of the sun and the lighter tones of the shadows on the rocks where she is sitting is more than OK, when the image is viewed "big". (please see below more comments about this point)


    ***

    Apropos Dave Humpries’ two comments regarding the Black Point and the Colour Cast – I concur in regard to the Colour Cast on the shadow side of the large rock outcrop: if it were mine I would ‘fix’ that: I think once the cast is gone, then there will no longer be an ‘issue’ regarding the Black Point.

    ***

    Here is what I mean - the original is on the top and the image below is a 40 second very rough PP comprising ONLY the Colour Correction of the shadow side of the big rock outcrop:



    (PS Dean: If you want to download then do so before I delete them off the server - I clean other people's images out each month or so)

    Thanks Williams, I see what you mean

  16. #16
    Moderator Donald's Avatar
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    Re: Contemplation IV

    All the sensible discussion on the technicalities of the image have taken place above and in terms of the aesthetic, Bill has more than comprehensively and professionally covered that.

    So, all that's left for me to say is that it's a beauty. A brilliant idea, magnificently conceived and superbly executed.

  17. #17
    Minerva's Avatar
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    Re: Contemplation IV

    Superb creative work, a visual treat well done Dean.

  18. #18
    dje's Avatar
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    Re: Contemplation IV

    Great shot Dean. Did you pay your wife danger money?

    That looks like Fingal Heads to me. I have always wanted to shoot a sunrise there but still haven't got around to it.

    Dave

  19. #19

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    Re: Contemplation IV

    I love it. It is so creative, stylish, colourful, funny and flamboyant. I mean blue, green and pink. I just think this is great. Keep this going. Photography should be fun also. Bend the rules a tad.
    Cheers Ole

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