What do you guys think about this one?!

Hi guys, we did some fun shoots at the local club with one of my friends, and just tought I try some "retro" pin-up-ish style post processing with the picture...
I actually pretty much like it, she likes it.

But, what do you guys think?!

NOTE: I am a n00b

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It's cute, and nice overall, but does the word 'Chameleon' have a special meaning to the photo? I find words in images distracting, no less bright yellow words. Unless there is a reason for having the chameleon in there, I'd get rid of it.

KirkS518 wrote in post #16527030
It's cute, and nice overall, but does the word 'Chameleon' have a special meaning to the photo? I find words in images distracting, no less bright yellow words. Unless there is a reason for having the chameleon in there, I'd get rid of it.

Its the name of tha Club, that allowed us to shoot in there. (for free)

I like what you did in the post processing. I think your border adds something.

I like it!

The pose is good and lighting is just about right but...

The colour selection is off.

The background pattern too busy and the colour in no way complements the main subject due to the colour of the hair and skin.

Her eyes need to be better lit and sharper as well.

All in all, a very good effort

MHO wrote in post #16529228
The pose is good and lighting is just about right but...

The colour selection is off.

The background pattern too busy and the colour in no way complements the main subject due to the colour of the hair and skin.

Her eyes need to be better lit and sharper as well.

All in all, a very good effort

Thanks for the reply.
The background is actually the wall in the club, so its as it is.

Lightning was done by a 580EX speedlite placed on the floor, the little white card pulled out, but it was used not to get more light onto the subject but to get less.
(The flash then was bounced off the cieling, where a big aluminium pipe (airconditioning) was, that reflected the light back, and spread it.

Shot was done at around 200mm from about 5 meters from the subject.
Flash was placed around 1 meters in front of her.

Just as info

Here's something to consider. The light is flat. The color cast on your subject is the same as the background. I personally like the subject and background to have some form of visual contrast and if the light isn't providing that post processing can. In the image below I isolated the background, changed the color and compressed the dynamic range to be flat as possible while providing a nice mix with the subject. I selected her in entirety and changed the contrast and color balance enough to produce what appears to be a good daylight balance. I then changed the color balance of her skin to be a little more neutral. This was done by using color balance and shifting green to magenta.

This creates the effect of your subject having visual distance from the background through manipulation of color balance in the image. The light is still flat but the image in my opinion is a little more palatable. I chose to use minimal effect and in this scenario there are 3 curve layers each with various masks which can be manipulated endlessly.

No comment on the composition.

Really nice what you did there Jetcode.
Something to be considered for sure.

Will try it on some other pictures. Thanks for the tip! thumbsup

Notice how she pops a bit more in the frame? That's the goal when light is dimensionless and dominates the entire scene. By the way the masks were quick and crude and you will see artifacts if you look close. Have fun.

jetcode wrote in post #16529511
Notice how she pops a bit more in the frame? That's the goal when light is dimensionless and dominates the entire scene. Have fun.

Yepp, noticed.
Will try to achieve that in some images.

Nice pinup shot and model. Jetcode's edit adds to it considerably, but I'd like to see some of the contrast recovered in her blouse.

Qbx wrote in post #16530311
Nice pinup shot and model. Jetcode's edit adds to it considerably, but I'd like to see some of the contrast recovered in her blouse.

Does this mean you want to see a contrast reduction?

I agree that Jetcodes edit creates more depth and puts some distance between the girl and the background. But somehow I find the original more joyful - may be because of the brighter colours. Also has it more of the "retro" look than the edit. Matter of taste and individual appreciation.

jetcode wrote in post #16531931
Does this mean you want to see a contrast reduction?

I meant that I think the blouse needs more contrast - it seems like the edit reduced it and I'd like to see the original contrast restored somewhat.