Dominion Theatre 'Gatsby Glamour' Photo Shoot - Lucy

mikejmb

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13 Sep 2012 - 11:53 AM

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Beautiful image and perfect in Black & White.

Mike

alistairfarrugia (Critique Team)

13 Sep 2012 - 1:02 PM

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First off - it's a nice picture that shows the relative calm and confidence of the bride/model that posed in the shot. I like that. Now for the critique.

I would maybe crop this a bit tigher to try place the eyes in the top-right crossing point (of rule of thirds lines). This would then show some empty space in the picture only to the left of the face, which is where the model seems to be looking at. I think placing the face bang in the middle detracts a bit from the image's quality, artistically speaking.

Moreover, and if possible, try and avoid a background with very clear hard lines, both vertically and horizontally. Was this taken in a relatively dark church or hall with long windows? I can see a number of reflections in the model's eyes, and her pupils are wide-open (typical of a dark environment).

There is some loss in detail in the hair, and if you want to go for "The Artist" style, that detail is best recovered, as details in the model's hairstyle are critical visual elements that should help elicit an association to 1920s/1930s attire and hairstyles. Can you recover some details from the shadows using your RAW file?

I uploaded a modification using the very basic Microsoft Office Picture Manager. Added a sepia-ish tone to it to distinguish it from the original upload a bit more, whilst still retaining the "old-look" feel.

tonyjonesphotos (e2 Member)

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13 Sep 2012 - 2:46 PM

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Hi Alaister & Phil,

Many thanks for the critique.

The photo shoot was in the Dominion Theatre in London and this has a 1920's foyer where this shoot was taken. If you know the theatre, this shoot was taken on the balcony over the central foyer which was quite dark and was lit with a SB900 flash to camera left approx. 2' above model and diffused with a shoot through umbrella.

I know what you mean about placement in the rule of thirds and a closer crop may be better but personally, I liked the verticals to the rear as it creates some extra interest and as the shot was on a very low f-number, this would be blurred.

There is another shot in my portfolio showing Jenilee, another model, which gives you an idea of the venue and also, of the colour cast being generated by the walls and ceiling! Golden is an understatement!

I like the sepia tone that you used but I rarely use toning (personal choice!) although this image would indeed suit a muted tone. Think I might just send this one back to Lightroom at some point!!

Phil, the highlights in the eyes were caused by 1 flash and 2 x foyer lights which the flash accentuated!

\i think I could have tidied up the loose hair strands too with more time!

Bubblefaery

13 Sep 2012 - 4:37 PM

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Beautiful x

miptog

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13 Sep 2012 - 10:18 PM

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Like the shot a lot. May try and soften or clone out the dark patches on the diagonal 1/3 from the bottom of the frame.

Focus_Man

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15 Sep 2012 - 11:00 AM

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This is a nice picture, but where critique is concerned, like Jester and Paul before him, I would lose the logo.

Frank