JanuWednesFest-Plumcrak

[Bobobird]

Well done with the lighting and conversion.

The "that's all the drink I have" expression is great.

[Plumcrak]

Bobo, thanks for your input. The lighting is overhead can lights in my basement and a 60w trouble light laying on the counter in front of me with some wax paper over top of it. Here's a tip, trouble lights tend to heat up rather quickly and the wax paper will begin to melt and stick to it.

[Mike Buckley]

A couple of minor issues, Jon.

I think your crop on the sides now makes your hands a little too cramped for space. Instead, try removing the shadow of the wall hanging using a clone tool. That allows you to eliminate the crop on the two sides.

As for the crop on the bottom, it doesn't bother me in the slightest that the entire reflection of your hands is no longer shown. Just the opposite, the primary subject is the look on your face, which is both supported and complemented by the gesture of your hands with the palm facing upward. The reflection of your hands is with the palm facing downward, which adds nothing to the story being told.

Now, the really important stuff...

If I was to open the Pinot I would have to finish it.

That's actually a myth. I regularly open wine bottles, drink half the wine, and finish it a week later. Naturally, I put the cork back in the bottle or pour the remaining wine into another bottle that has a screw cap.

There is actually a woman who runs a Zagat-style wine publication in that wine consumers rate the wine just as Zagat's uses consumers' ratings of restaurants. One of the categories in which the consumers are required to rate the wines is something akin to the "kitchen counter factor." (I can't remember the exact wording.) The point is that some wines get better after having been opened for 3 - 7 days and very, very few get worse. I once served a bottle to guests of Amarone (relatively expensive wine) that I discovered had been open a month. Even I couldn't believe that it was not bad. It was actually terrific, so much so that my guests couldn't believe that it had been opened a month earlier.

Now THAT has to be more important than anything we could possibly discuss about photography.

[Plumcrak]

Thanks Mike. After the final crop version I realized that the reflection of my face was too dominant. I downloaded Gimp the other day but have not had time to play yet. I am anticipating a slight learning curve, but I think it will be worth it (I have no ability right now to clone, dodge, burn...)

I realize that you don't have to drink the entire bottle upon opening...I just can't help myself.

[Mike Buckley]

I realize that you don't have to drink the entire bottle upon opening...I just can't help myself.

You're good taste apparently exceeds your self discipline.

[Plumcrak]

After further review, I believe I prefer the image with the reflection? Not sure why but I will probably change my mind again tomorrow.

Mike, I guess I have no self discipline and I am indecisive

[Lon Howard]

Hi Jon,

I do agree with Mike, in that - once the reflection of your face and neck is removed - the reflection of your hands become a major distraction so I would go for removing that reflection as well.

However, if you were to wrap your hands around the Pinot and smile a lot, that distraction would be minimized!

[Bobobird]

I think the reflection shot was the original intention and that was how it was shot. Minor changes to that image to make it stronger is fine.

But to remove the original intention (ie reflections) would/might need another kind of pose or subject placement.

Sometimes the best option is to re-shoot rather then fix.

I will stand by the edited first shot here. Overall it gives the best balance IMHO.

[Mike Buckley]

I just now realized why I don't like the reflection of the face in the first version: The reflection of the shirt blends in so much with the table top that the reflection of the face appears as if it has become disconnected from the torso.

[Plumcrak]

I have to admit that the reflection was not originally intended. The bottles are sitting on the bar top in my basement, which due to the high gloss finish I should have figured it would reflect. I might have to re-shoot with a non-reflective cover on the bar.

It does appear as if my head is floating

[Mike Buckley]

It does appear as if my head is floating

Perhaps you should shoot only the bottles and the reflection (not that I have any idea how to do that without dramatically changing the angle). That would explain why your head is floating.

[Bobobird]

I thought you were going for the floating head.....

[Plumcrak]

Sorry all...I got nothing for tonight. It has been a rather trying week. I agreed to take a job offer from a competitor, gave my 2 week notice to my current company and then today got a call from another company (that I have been talking to for 2 years) wanting to hire me. Now I have some big decisions to make and my head is spinning. I hope to have something worthy for next week.

[Mike Buckley]

Congratulations on the great opportunities!

[Plumcrak]

Thanks Mike. Now I just have to figure out how to let one company down with the least amount of hard feelings. Not sure it is possible

[terrib]

Congrats on the job offers. Look forward to seeing your next shots.

[Plumcrak]

Thanks Terri. I hope I can come up with something decent for next week. I guess I should start planning before Wednesday.

[Bobobird]

Congrats on the job offers.

[gregj1763]

Jon, I don't envy your position. Just remember you're number 1 in this situation. Do what you think is best for you and your family.
All the best, Greg
Ps, found a new yummy whiskey. See my latest post

[Plumcrak]

Well, tonight was a huge failure on my part. My head is not into it...I was not happy with the lighting (and I am too damn tired to really work at it)...everything was rushed and never really had a plan.
No people shots tonight, but what I did shoot (which is dismal at best) is something I have carried with me every day since my Grandpa died back in 1984...so it is kinda part of me, in a way.
Well before I ramble on too much...here is my half baked effort for tonight after working 17 1/2 hours today in single digit weather.

Have at it!

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p.s. Thanks for all the well wishes on the new job...I have accepted the offer and notified both companies of my departure (it all went better than I had anticipated)