Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/07/21
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]On Jul 21, 2007, at 10:50 AM, Philippe Orlent wrote: > Just throwing in my mail to Steve, about the retouching and wether > or not cropping of this magnificent photograph: good and thanks Philippe...I'm glad that others can see the background, reasoning, and your arguments..that assisted in the final preparation of the image... much appreciated, Steve > >> Hi Steve, >> >> I'm starting on the bigger file now, but about the little girl and >> the photo itself, that I really like a lot: >> >> About the girl: >> For me she balances the photograph a more (adding f.i. a >> compositional diagonal between the gril's and woman's head, and >> being a counterweight to the light sand dunes in the background), >> and her presence adds a connotation of generations, giving the >> image a much broader and richer scope. >> Without her, it's a powerful portrait of a magnificent old lady. >> But if that was the purpose of the photograph, I would have shot >> it more eye level and a bit closer. >> With her, it's an environmental* portrait, telling a story: the >> environment helps to interpret circumstances and facial >> expressions and emotions. >> So: a layer of a richer psychology. >> >> Also: the girl helps to date the photograph. >> Without her: it could have been made a 100 years ago. >> With her: 50 years ago but probably less (looking at her clothes), >> also depending of it being 'modern' B&W, or 'retro' B&W. >> So: another layer of social relevance. >> That's two big bonuses in one photograph IMO. >> >> * I always prefer the latter, unless for closer, studio or >> implicitily made for that purpose (thus with the portraitee >> knowing) shots, where the surroundings are less prominently >> necessary (unless staged). >> >> If I remember correctly, I immediately adored the color shot that >> you initially posted. It has a sense of heath, that's less >> prominent in the B&W conversions (despite the warm toning effect.) >> If I would have a color version go at it, I'd just get the >> scanning noise out (not a very good scan IMO: too harsh), shift >> the colors a bit (just for falsly romantic reasons: my love of >> 70's color film*) and lighten up the shadow part of the woman's >> face. And a little local sharpening here and there, ofcourse. And >> a bit of dodging and burning, maybe. And optimizing the framing by >> taking small bits out here and there... >> Just the same as I'd do in B&W, but without the B&W conversion >> (Alienskin software: convert to Acros 100 without noise) and >> toning (through curve that I use often adding a light bronze to >> the photograph). >> >> Now you know the tricks I used ;-) >> >> * In color (see this attachment with just the color shift and none >> of the other tricks) it would be an instant classic, as if >> straight out of National Geographic, when that still was at it's >> peak moment of exotic observations. >> Now who wouldn't dream of having just once made a shot like that? >> >> But finally: the shot as it is, in color and unaltered, makes me >> ask: do people still live like this? And is this acceptable in >> this day and age? >> Thus bonus number 3: an image that makes a statement. >> On par with Dorothea Lange's Migrant Mother as far as I'm >> concerned. Which is even better than National Geographic level. >> >> No, throwing such 3 bonuses away with a close crop and a smirky >> B&W conversion, it wouldn't be my choice. >> >> But in the end, it's entirely up to you, ofcourse :-) >> >> Philippe > > Op 18-jul-07, om 01:13 heeft Steve Barbour het volgende geschreven: > >> an image taken recently at Canyon de Chelly... >> >> Philippe Orlent helped me immeasurably with this photo.... >> especially to see the value of leaving the child >> >> in the photo, with the old woman...and with the final preparation >> of the image, >> >> merci.... >> >> >> <http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/barbour/PAW2007/ >> womanchild_002.jpg.html> >> >> >> leica M7 Summicron 90mm f2 APO ASPH... >> >> >> your comments are most appreciated, >> >> Steve >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information