Street Portrait

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Originally Posted by vaez

b&w i think is better

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Vaez,

Thanks for the comments.

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Originally Posted by John 2

John, another way of making your subject jump out of the comp is to effectively de-saturate the BG or in the case of the mono version (which I prefer), reduce the contrast of/lighten the BG. Means an accurate cut out of the subject (I use a PS plug-in for this) and two layers. Just an alternative thought.

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John,

Thanks for the suggestions.

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Originally Posted by Mike Buckley

Nice contemplative look on the subject's face.

My solution to the problems being discussed would be to make a 5 x 7 crop. The left side of the frame would just barely eliminate the woman's right hand. The top of the frame would be just barely below the top of her head. The right side of the frame would be just a little to the right of her left elbow.

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Mike,

Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

Definitely prefer the b&w, John.

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Originally Posted by FootLoose

Definitely prefer the b&w, John.

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Thanks Greg.

http://i57.tinypic.com/1zlbyoh.jpg

http://i59.tinypic.com/21oqxrq.jpg

The last one has tremendous potential. However, comparatively lots of work is going to have to be done to the background to achieve that potential whether it's displayed in color or monochrome. There is so much potential that if it were mine, I would definitely be inclined to put that work into it.

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Originally Posted by Mike Buckley

The last one has tremendous potential. However, comparatively lots of work is going to have to be done to the background to achieve that potential whether it's displayed in color or monochrome. There is so much potential that if it were mine, I would definitely be inclined to put that work into it.

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Mike,

Thanks for the comments. What exactly do you think needs to be done to the background, muted pattern or more blur?

The patterns in the background are both strong and contrasting. If it was my image, I would prepare the color image for conversion to monochrome by changing some of the background colors so those patterns are less striking (less distracting) once converted to monochrome. You could do the same thing if you want to keep it as a color image but I think more time and work would be required.

As an example, regarding the striped shirt in the lower left corner: I would probably entirely eliminate the stripes by cloning the main color. I would then darken that color considerably.

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Originally Posted by Mike Buckley

The patterns in the background are both strong and contrasting. If it was my image, I would prepare the color image for conversion to monochrome by changing some of the background colors so those patterns are less striking (less distracting) once converted to monochrome. You could do the same thing if you want to keep it as a color image but I think more time and work would be required.

As an example, regarding the striped shirt in the lower left corner: I would probably entirely eliminate the stripes by cloning the main color. I would then darken that color considerably.

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Thanks Mike.

Hi again John :) I like the Camera Raw edit on the B&W version of the first image. 'At the End of the Day' is very nice, but you know that I'm not an expert at all :o Why not desaturating the colours in the BG of Shyness selectively as John 2 suggested ? It is a nice image and a less distracting BG might make the woman stand out more.

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Originally Posted by bnnrcn

Hi again John :) I like the Camera Raw edit on the B&W version of the first image. 'At the End of the Day' is very nice, but you know that I'm not an expert at all :o Why not desaturating the colours in the BG of Shyness selectively as John 2 suggested ? It is a nice image and a less distracting BG might make the woman stand out more.

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Binnur,

Thanks for the comments and suggestions, I will give it a try.

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Originally Posted by bnnrcn

Hi again John :) I like the Camera Raw edit on the B&W version of the first image. 'At the End of the Day' is very nice, but you know that I'm not an expert at all :o Why not desaturating the colours in the BG of Shyness selectively as John 2 suggested ? It is a nice image and a less distracting BG might make the woman stand out more.

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Binnur and Mike,

The more times I look at this image I see what is troubling about the background, I think the reds although muted compete for attention with the young woman. The BG colors complement her nails but are perhaps too large and too warm for this type of portrait.

The object of her adoration not shown.

http://i57.tinypic.com/sp9jjk.jpg

Hi John :) I actually couldn't realise at first sight that it was a baby stroller :o The lady looks fine but IMO the composition lacks something , may be it is the baby.

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Originally Posted by bnnrcn

Hi John :) I actually couldn't realise at first sight that it was a baby stroller :o The lady looks fine but IMO the composition lacks something , may be it is the baby.

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Binnur,

i'll have to go out and get some shots of a baby to cut and paste. :) Thanks for the comments.

It is a bit enigmatic. At first I didn't realise it was a stroller either.

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Originally Posted by FootLoose

It is a bit enigmatic. At first I didn't realise it was a stroller either.

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I felt that since you couldn't see her eyes or the baby another hint (the title) was needed.

lol... I didn't notice the title, just the description (object of adoration)... and wondered...