Blown-out background - does it work?

[HJMinard]

I'm not really seeking critique with regard to composition, creativity, etc. (although feel free to comment on any aspect of the image). I'm mostly wondering how you feel about the background. I didn't blow out the sky on purpose, but I like the effect it created with the out of focus pine branches. Just wonderin' what you think ... thanks!

http://www.pbase.com/image/35779817/original.jpg

[im2postal]

It's a little distracting once you notice it. Perhaps against a solid sky it would be better.

Robbie

[neil_r]

Whilst I can see how it could be distracting, I think it works as it puts the camouflage into some context.

Nice shot, it works for me

N

[izzypizzy]

works for me too :D

[IanBMW]

I like the effect and use it quite often. I recommend patching the top left corner IMO. :)

[HJMinard]

I recommend patching the top left corner IMO. :)

Yeah, I uploaded this image without any modification (other than a little resizing). I was sitting in a portable hunting blind and took this shot of my son through the window. The dark spot is a portion of the window, and definitely needs to be patched.

Thanks (everyone) for your comments ...

[Reminisce]

i think it works great with the hat being worn. I think without the hat, it would be distracting but this works very well.

[retro]

I think it would work a bit better for me if the brush a bit more dense in the background. Nice work!

[Adam Hicks]

I like it, and you should be happy to say you did it on purpose :) Without the blown background your metering would have left the face too dark.

Of course you could have shot the image as shot, and then about -2 EC and overlaid the person over the more properly exposed background.

Nice work though!

[HJMinard]

I like it, and you should be happy to say you did it on purpose :) Without the blown background your metering would have left the face too dark.

Of course you could have shot the image as shot, and then about -2 EC and overlaid the person over the more properly exposed background.

Nice work though!

Yeah, I realize that I accidentally screwed up and captured the image correctly. :lol: I had the EC at +1 (I don't recall why) and snapped the photo when he came over to talk to me. A happy accident (that I need to repeat in similar situations).

Thanks for the nice comments!

[Adam Hicks]

That looks very close to the exposure you'd get had you metered off of an 18% grey card. You might already have one, but it's a cheap and fantastic tool for tough exposures like this. 10 seconds to meter off the card and you're ready to go!

Adam

[JK]

Apart from the top left-hand corner, it's great - I really like that effect! 8)