Portrait of my grandmother

[mozzie]

Hi all,

Just got back from a lovely trip to Morocco and Spain and Bangladesh so finally got a chance to take a few photos. Here is one that I am particularly attached to - its of my Grandmother who I am not sure if I'll get to see next time I go. there is a bit on the top right corner where the flash has caught on the cupboard that i intend to do something about but would love some suggestions on how I can really make the picture work - hoping to get it done on canvas for my mum's birthday.

thanks in advance.

[aim54x]

You have nice differential light across the face. This can only serve as a very good starting point. However, you seem to have used a fairly wide focal length, which has led to a bit of stretching (ears and shoulder), not much can be done about this but I am sure your mother wont pick up on this.

As for the hot spot from the flash....CLONE TOOL??

Glad to see you posting again. Cant wait for more pics. PS I hope someone who is better at processing and portraiture can help you soon

[gstark]

I would leave it as it is.

The lighting is very good, it's nice and sharp, and with great colour. The hot spot reflection doesn't bother me all that much; perhaps tone it down, but I really wouldn't bother too much with it.

This image has life and vibrancy, and it's a very special image. Those are the most important points, and you've nailed them.

[lightning]

Looks very good to me and have a remarkable resemblance to you grandmother.

[surenj]

Hi Mozzie,

While I agree you could leave this alone, there is nothing to be lost from a trying a bit of trickery before you print large (at large cost I guess)

Perhaps a bit of B&W or Sepia? [Perhaps you need to make sure you know where it's going to hang so that you can decide]

If you thought there was a little bit of nose distortion, then you could try a lens distortion correction to see whether you could improve.

At the end of the day, only you will care I guess. Everyone else will love it for what it is. A humble portrait of a lady with wisdom.

[biggerry]

hey mozzie, you have got some good points from the above posts.

I think it looks fine as it is - however for the academic purpose why not try and play with a few techniques and see what eventuates. I had a quick play, let me know if you want it removed or object to your image being edited.

The top row is the original
the left column is not corrected for distortion, the right has my 'thumb in the wind' guess at some appropriate distortion correction.

if you want details of the edits i did just ask - i am a bit time poor at the moment so i will only do it if you need me to. PS. good looking grandma and looks somewhat like you

[gstark]

Gerry,

Nice work, but I prefer the original.

[Reschsmooth]

Nice PP but I, too, prefer the original. The B&W looks too unflattering and harsh and the other loses some of her left side to the shadows too mix.

[zafra52]

I prefer the original. However, consider clonning the
light on the top right hand corner. It takes away
from the subject.

[surenj]

Yet another suggestion

[zafra52]

Good work surenj, but I still prefer the first one.
It comes across more natural.

[biggerry]

great to see some discussion on the image..

good luck with the printing Mozzie, be sure to do a google search for some printers in sydney, there some good deals on.

[biggerry]

How did the canvas prints go?

[mozzie]

How did the canvas prints go?

My Mum loved it! I decided in the end to leave it more or less unedited. It was rather good timing too, my grandmother's health took a serious turn for the worst last week and although she has recovered somewhat, back home from the hospital,at the moment doesn't look like she will come back from it. I like having a picture of her where her spark is till there...

She's been one gutsy lady all her life!!