A prayer...

[mi_reefy]

Post processing in CS3. Levels/curves, masks, BW conversion, USM , framing.
CC would be much appreciated.

Shot in natural light conditions.

Thanks for viewing :)


http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/6383/prayingvq6.png

[hurley1718]

I like the shot but the skin (face and hands) seem to be a little to dark for my taste. Can we see the color version?

[Robert_Lay]

I like it just as it is. Good tonal range and an excellent candid portrait.

[kitmos]

Very Nice

[mi_reefy]

Thank you very much for the comments :)

[mi_reefy]

I like the shot but the skin (face and hands) seem to be a little to dark for my taste. Can we see the color version?


Colour :
http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/8273/img4364ng8.jpg

I love the colours in the image, the problem, however is that, with the colour version, the hand in the background seems to distract my attention a lot... The B&W version lets me focus on the subject and everything about him. The overall depth of the scene that I tried to capture. Is it just me, or does anyone agree with this?

Thanks again for viewing. :)

[GinoE]

Great portrait!

I definitely prefer the B/W version, and for the exact reasons you mentioned. It does make the subject stand out much more, making it the clear center of attention.

Maybe you could try darkening the hand in the background a bit more, and lightening the skin of the subject through tweaking the channels in the B/W conversion?

[Broncobear]

I like them both with maybe the B&W leading more becuase of personal preference. nice job

[hurley1718]

Your right about the hand. I really didn't notice it in the B&W conversion but it does stand out in the color one. Bummer. The colors are very nice. I was looking to see if you could clone out the hand a bit but it makes the background a bit strange. If you are able to shoot this type of photo again I'd say go for it and hopefully the background will be free of obstructions.

[Robert_Lay]

Colour :

I love the colours in the image, the problem, however is that, with the colour version, the hand in the background seems to distract my attention a lot... The B&W version lets me focus on the subject and everything about him. The overall depth of the scene that I tried to capture. Is it just me, or does anyone agree with this?

Thanks again for viewing. :)
To me, the B &W version becomes an icon or abstraction, whereas with the color version he is actually breathing.

[mi_reefy]

Great portrait!

I definitely prefer the B/W version, and for the exact reasons you mentioned. It does make the subject stand out much more, making it the clear center of attention.

Maybe you could try darkening the hand in the background a bit more, and lightening the skin of the subject through tweaking the channels in the B/W conversion?

Thanks a lot :) I did try that, not much luck though, as much as I tried to carefully push the processing further, it seemed to take away more from the original image...

Thanks again though. Much appreciated.

I like them both with maybe the B&W leading more becuase of personal preference. nice job

Thanks a lot! :)

Your right about the hand. I really didn't notice it in the B&W conversion but it does stand out in the color one. Bummer. The colors are very nice. I was looking to see if you could clone out the hand a bit but it makes the background a bit strange. If you are able to shoot this type of photo again I'd say go for it and hopefully the background will be free of obstructions.

I would most definitely go back! Not sure I'd find the same man, though. These places though,, It's very interesting. One just gets lost in observation... (Nepal, btw)

I did try cloning out too. I'm sure its possible, but I'm not good enough for that sort of major cloning work yet.

Thanks for dropping by again :)

To me, the B &W version becomes an icon or abstraction, whereas with the color version he is actually breathing.

Now that it has been mentioned, I can't agree more... Perfect observation, and thank you. I wish I would see things like you do one day :). Thank you very much for the carefully thought comments.

Much appreciated :).

-Reef

[MilenaMN]

I really don't have anything to say that hasn't yet been said. I just want to say great job, I love it. It is just a tiny bit dark generally speaking but it works well for this particular image because it adds to the mood.
I am looking forward to seeing more of your work!

[mi_reefy]

I am looking forward to seeing more of your work!

Thanks MilenaMN, Looking forward to showing you more :)