high contrast bw portraits

Got a thin skin? Then look elsewhere. Post a link to an image that you've made, and invite others to offer their critiques. Honesty is encouraged, but please be positive in your constructive criticism. Flaming and just plain nastiness will not be tolerated. Please note that this is not an area for you to showcase your images, nor is this a place for you to show-off where you have been. This is an area for you to post images so that you may share with us a technique that you have mastered, or are trying to master. Typically, no more than about four images should be posted in any one post or thread, and the maximum size of any side of any image should not exceed 950 px.

Moderators: Greg B, Nnnnsic, Geoff, Glen, gstark, Moderators

Forum rules
Please note that image critiquing is a matter of give and take: if you post images for critique, and you then expect to receive criticism, then it is also reasonable, fair and appropriate that, in return, you post your critique of the images of other members here as a matter of courtesy. So please do offer your critique of the images of others; your opinion is important, and will help everyone here enjoy their visit to far greater extent.

Also please note that, unless you state something to the contrary, other members might attempt to repost your image with their own post processing applied. We see this as an acceptable form of critique, but should you prefer that others not modify your work, this is perfectly ok, and you should state this, either within your post, or within your signature.

Images posted here should conform with the general forum guidelines. Image sizes should not exceed 950 pixels along the largest side (height or width) and typically no more than four images per post or thread.

Please also ensure that you have a meaningful location included in your profile. Please refer to the FAQ for details of what "meaningful" is.

high contrast bw portraits

Postby mattyjacobs on Fri Apr 04, 2008 12:11 am

These were taken at a mate's place, just mucking around with off camera flash one day. I had a stofen cap on my flash head and we were just playing with different light angles and stuff.

The raw photos came out a bit bland, as Abby's skin tone was similar to the background and her dress, so there was no real life in the images, until I desaturated and bumped up the contrast a bit.

My wife thinks that I'm doing too much bw photos and we need more colour, but I just can't seem to get good colour, and I kinda like this style. Your thoughts?

click for big
Image

Image

this one is my desktop pic on my laptop at the moment. I wish I had a reflector to light the right side of her face just a bit more.
Image

they were all shot on an 350d with a 50mm1.8, and a 430ex being held by myself or my mate Ben, whoever wasn't taking the photos. I had the aperture on f/11, and I'm so happy with how sharp these pictures are!
User avatar
mattyjacobs
Member
 
Posts: 282
Joined: Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:54 pm
Location: Epping, Sydney

Re: high contrast bw portraits

Postby gstark on Fri Apr 04, 2008 8:01 am

Matty,

A couple of pointers that might help you with the colour images.

First of all, have a play with your wb settings. Shoot the same subject but give the wb a bit of a nudge this way or thataway and see if that gives you any sort of an improvement.

Second, pull the flash intensity down a nudge - maybe a third to two-thirds of a stop.

Finally, also try perhaps under exposing a little to pull the colour intensity up a nudge.

I'd be interested to hear if any of that helps.
g.
Gary Stark
Nikon, Canon, Bronica .... stuff
The people who want English to be the official language of the United States are uncomfortable with their leaders being fluent in it - US Pres. Bartlet
User avatar
gstark
Site Admin
 
Posts: 22918
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2004 11:41 pm
Location: Bondi, NSW

Re: high contrast bw portraits

Postby mattyjacobs on Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:35 am

Thanks Gary, next time I've got some time, I'll give those things a go.
User avatar
mattyjacobs
Member
 
Posts: 282
Joined: Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:54 pm
Location: Epping, Sydney


Return to Image Reviews and Critiques