B/W Portrait

Love to have some cc on this shot ... but 1st, the story -:
Canon 5D Mk2 f10 1 second (ya, they kept dead still - no flash just one light 45 degree right and modelling lamp into umbrella on left) - test shot for exposure settings for a Kodak No 1 Autographic Junior (1900's model) that I found at a thrift store ... cheat sheet told me that aperture 1 was f11 - expose for 1 second - had to use B setting (1 chimpanzee) on Kodak cause choices were only 1/25 1/50 B and T - and now must wait for 120 film to come back from wet lab - will scan and post the results

Thanks for looking ...

The only thing that bugs me a bit is the mirror she is holding. It looking blurry and almost superimposed. Did you do something with it in Photoshop? Otherwise great photo. Girls look great.

swbkrun wrote in post #16457534
The only thing that bugs me a bit is the mirror she is holding. It looking blurry and almost superimposed. Did you do something with it in Photoshop? Otherwise great photo. Girls look great.

Nope - mirror was one of the props ... only ps in the shot is levels and a tad sharpening ... I guess I was really looking for the perfect exposure and separation from the background

here is another from the same shoot - sans mirror ...

Since you had image editing OK, my take on the first shot:

IMAGE LINK: http://s1259.photobuck​et.com …ying_zps1ae2d9d​3.png.html

edit looks a little to contrasty and the blonde is blown out to much now,and i agree with first post the mirror takes away from the shot,first pic is nice but the mirror kinda ruins it

If both girls were looking into the mirror it might work better. Lovely models. I look forward to seeing the Kodak. Could you post a picture of it?

You need to be careful with your sharpening. The hair looks like steel wool and their legs have nasty jaggies that make them look flat. This forum has an addiction to over-sharpened photos and most dont notice this (because everyone is trying to outsharp the last guy).

Cut the sharpening out completely, or selectively apply it to small places that actually NEED attention or NEED sharpening by no more than 25-33% (eyes, facial detail, thats it). Dont take this offensively, the photos are great otherwise and im blown away by shutter speed result.

genesimmons wrote in post #16459517
edit looks a little to contrasty and the blonde is blown out to much now,and i agree with first post the mirror takes away from the shot,first pic is nice but the mirror kinda ruins it

Thanks for the crit - I agree the mirror should be left out

Qbx wrote in post #16459597
If both girls were looking into the mirror it might work better. Lovely models. I look forward to seeing the Kodak. Could you post a picture of it?

Thanks for the observation (I agree) ... I dropped the film off at the lab today and hope to get the negs back in a couple weeks - I will digitize and post them - BUT - I do have a shot with the girls using the Kodak (on a cheap tripod) ... not the best shot ... but a shot nevertheless ...

thedcmule2 wrote in post #16459684
You need to be careful with your sharpening. The hair looks like steel wool and their legs have nasty jaggies that make them look flat. This forum has an addiction to over-sharpened photos and most dont notice this (because everyone is trying to outsharp the last guy).

Cut the sharpening out completely, or selectively apply it to small places that actually NEED attention or NEED sharpening by no more than 25-33% (eyes, facial detail, thats it). Dont take this offensively, the photos are great otherwise and im blown away by shutter speed result.

thanks for the cc - yes I think a bit oversharpened (I use focus magic - and even toned it down a notch) - but you are right - but I still love a sharp crispy image

Thanks everyone - I appreciate the cc

Phil

genesimmons wrote in post #16459517
edit looks a little to contrasty and the blonde is blown out to much now,and i agree with first post the mirror takes away from the shot,first pic is nice but the mirror kinda ruins it

I assume my edit is what your referring to, look to the original then re-critique

philmony wrote in post #16459832
Thanks for the crit - I agree the mirror should be left out


Thanks for the observation (I agree) ... I dropped the film off at the lab today and hope to get the negs back in a couple weeks - I will digitize and post them - BUT - I do have a shot with the girls using the Kodak (on a cheap tripod) ... not the best shot ... but a shot nevertheless ...

thanks for the cc - yes I think a bit oversharpened (I use focus magic - and even toned it down a notch) - but you are right - but I still love a sharp crispy image

Thanks everyone - I appreciate the cc

Phil

Now this is a great shot, please tell me you shot this in raw

I only shoot in raw ... glad you like the shot

philmony wrote in post #16459878
I only shoot in raw ... glad you like the shot

Please post a link to the original raw...

tmoore323 wrote in post #16459958
Please post a link to the original raw...

I leave all raw files on memory card then manipulate and convert from there ... 99% of the time the raw file is deleted unless I really really like a shot - or believe I can do better with it later - all the raw files from this project have been overwritten ...
This is a habit I have gotten into because I shoot some 500 frames at a hockey game - I used to keep all my raw files - but quickly started filling my hdd - hence the quick deletion.

If you only had an old wooden tripod ... and a pan of magnesium of course.

Qbx wrote in post #16460921
If you only had an old wooden tripod ... and a pan of magnesium of course.

it's funny you should say that - I was at a flea market yesterday - one guy there had 2 x totally ancient wooden cameras (originals) and some wooden tripods - but (obviously) thought I wasn't gonna buy them - so quoted me some ridiculous number (I guess just to get rid of me) - little do they know that us 'amateur' photogs (well many of us) spend (literally) thousands on our hobby - in gear - and in time spent getting the 'shot' - not that I would (by the way) spend thousands on old camera props ... but (IMO) every inquiry should be treated like a potential sale <Phil's vent now over>