using or not using negative space???

[fotoflick]

Interested to get your feedback on these 2. predominately these were a lighting test, but also testing another style of shot, more editorial perhaps in it's nature.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4716027057_4b0728656d_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4716670114_abaa3cb222_b.jpg

[Shaddsi]

No 2 definitely wins, the first has nothing other than your wife's ear to offer. The eye focus on two counters the blank space by giving you focus..

[k8*]

I prefer #2 but only because I would have preferred to see her to the left of the frame in the first. Or, conversely, have the negative space to the right of the frame - the way her eyes are looking.

[fotoflick]

No 2 definitely wins, the first has nothing other than your wife's ear to offer. The eye focus on two counters the blank space by giving you focus..

cheers Simon - good point


I prefer #2 but only because I would have preferred to see her to the left of the frame in the first. Or, conversely, have the negative space to the right of the frame - the way her eyes are looking.

thanks Kate - this is the viewpoint I was hoping to get, about looking in to the negative space, I purposley had Danette looking away from the negative space to build some drama, a sense of intrigue almost, like what is so interesting that her focus is drawn off camera.

[caralan]

Well I think both work.

I would love the neg space in both - with the ear-ring in #1 catching my eye, and the direct contact of the eyes in #2 (except for the huge watermark - agh - to me it destroys all the effort you went to get the feeling of negative space to start with)

Eyes in both lack sparkle IMHO - but I do like the tones. I also like the crop. I can see it used in a magazine spread.

Just my 2c worth - I wish I could get such control of light and tones

Cheers

[Mikey054]

Number 2 would be my pick, but I think the tonal values and contrast are a tad flat...the subject needs to immediatly jump out, in black and white images. The top part of the head being cut off is not my cup of tea (my opinion and taste only). This lady has beautiful eyes...exploit them.
Mike

[fotoflick]

Well I think both work.

I would love the neg space in both - with the ear-ring in #1 catching my eye, and the direct contact of the eyes in #2 (except for the huge watermark - agh - to me it destroys all the effort you went to get the feeling of negative space to start with)

Eyes in both lack sparkle IMHO - but I do like the tones. I also like the crop. I can see it used in a magazine spread.

Just my 2c worth - I wish I could get such control of light and tones

Cheers

Thanks for the feedback, I'm going to lose the copyright until I can sort out something a little less obtrusive, do be honest was just playing with this in lightroom, so will figure it out. The eyes lack that sparkle due to the close proximity of the giant softbox, huge light source so close. Anybody can learn how to light like this, it is just one softbox and a light meter and a white wall and a hairlight but it is not so obvious in these images.


Number 2 would be my pick, but I think the tonal values and contrast are a tad flat...the subject needs to immediatly jump out, in black and white images. The top part of the head being cut off is not my cup of tea (my opinion and taste only). This lady has beautiful eyes...exploit them.
Mike

appreciate the comments Mike, looking at these on my calibrated monitor to offer more contrast would start blowing out skin tones and I did not want to lose that for this shot. And I would disagree with your statement about with b&w images that the subject needs to immediately jump out, is a little too broad and when creating mood high contrast is not always desirable, but each to their own...such is the subjective nature of photography. Good to hear your thoughts Mike.