Portrait Session - Lauren

[Laurie]

Well, I'm not into portraiture, these days, but yesterday a few photographer friends got together for a barbie, show and tell and portrait session, so I went along with it.

Black and White Portrait - Lauren

It looks a bit savage on my new laptop. I'm not all that concerned if some don't go for my minimalist style, but I would appreciate feedback on how it renders on a calibrated monitor.

I suppose most of you know me well enough by now to understand that I'm not tied down to reality but rather, strive for compelling graphics.

[timmo]

I like your work Laurie because you push the boundaries and as you say compelling graphics trumps
reality. For me as well. On my uncalibrated monitor, the shot looks fine.Maybe the crop is a bit tight
under her mouth and RHS, but really that is a personal taste thing. I would also prefer to the right
hand side of her nose, not all of it but just that smallest of inklings of it being there.
awesome shot mate...I really enjoy looking at it and the way her eyes seem to be riveted on mine.
cheers
tim

[Cookster670]

I really like it Laurie. Perhaps just a tad more contrast so we could see the outline of the nose?

[Jcas]

For me the eyes are superb, only thing that unbalances it for me is the one nostril, i just love the eyelash and eyebrow texture.

Thanks for showing me something different, the more i study it the more i like it ..

[philmart]

Hi Lauie

Love the eyes and like that blown out look, but I think the cropping needs a review (right eye seems too high and to the right of the photo). Also the teeth being off white is a little offputting

[Laurie]

Thanks for the feedback people!

Here's another version with a bit more detail. My preference is for the lighter version. Less is more, ya know.

Not much I can do about the cropping. I seldom crop outside the camera, so that's all there is to give.

DSC_1573.jpg

[Cookster670]

Prefer that 2nd one Loz. 1st is still a ripper though

[Shaddsi]

Ditto second is just at that right high key look. I also like seeing her nose which you cant in the first..

[antsan]

I'm really drawn in by the first one, i like them both but the minimilist syle of the first one is very power full and conveys a sence of mystery. I find myself drawn into the eyes and wanting for more.. a powerful image which really stimulates the mind. the second morw traditional and just a great high key portrait is also a ripper!

[Jcas]

Both nice, but the second one definately wins out for me, i love it !!!!

[Laurie]

Ah yes! A personality thing, huh!

Well, I can't see inside anyone's head, but I reckon that if they were both hanging on the wall with 20 other images, the lighter one would gain the more attention, irrespective of which image the viewer thinks is best. Of course, I could be wrong there. Maybe it's my own personality talking.

To me, it's that attention grabbing charisma that counts.

[invisible]

I'm really drawn in by the first one, i like them both but the minimilist syle of the first one is very power full and conveys a sence of mystery. I find myself drawn into the eyes and wanting for more..

This is what I was going to type. The calculated processing of first one forces you to look into the model's eyes – that's how strong it is. I agree that the second one is more "technically correct" (although if you ask me, on my monitor a couple of areas seem a bit blown out).

If I had to choose one to hang on my wall, it'd be the first one hands down.

[Laurie]

Well, thanks, Frederico. Pleased ya like it!

Now, I wouldn't want anyone to run away with the idea that I'm influenced by the purists. I hope that those who've taken the time to get to know me and my work would by now regard me as a rough as guts photographer.

I'm by no means a pictorialist and have no time for rules, whether those accepted by the art world or those made up by those who'd tie photographers up in a confusion of do and don't.

Monochrome Portrait - Processed in UFRaw and GIMP

DSC_1587b.jpg

As I continue to explore the world of digital photography, I search for the image qualities that made me a successful B&W photographer in the days of film, chemicals and a small, dark room with a hard floor and nowhere to sit down.

So having said that, here's my latest effort, which is getting closer to what I'd call a great image.

Wadaya reckon?

[loose cannon]

I'm late to this thread so let's scroll back up to the top.

The first image blows me away Laurie.

The edited version is nice, lovely model, interesting composition and I quite like the processing, but it lacks the drama of the first image. In my opinion #1 needs to be printed large, very large, huge in fact. At least 2m x 2m and hung on the back wall of a gallery so that it smacks you in the face as you walk in the front door. That's my take on it, a very powerful image that demands attention.

The third image is as powerful, to my eyes anyway, as the first. Breathtakingly gorgeous portrait.

I like that you haven't gone for the "ultra white" effect that you did in the first image, this is more subtle but no less dramatic. I'm lost in those eyes. Two stunning images presented here Laurie, thanks for sharing.