Bali 2008 (Manda)

[zoossh]

i didn't change the skin hue but altered the color temperature of the background and levels. the eyes have already lost details in the original jpeg so there is little to retrieve there. the pineapple is left inside. cropping brings more volume to the subject but at the same time minor things become amplified. the white part of the blurred backgrounds looks like erased marks as if they are some post processing mistakes when they are not.

 

[Manda]

Zoosh - thanks so much for your tips. Every little helps. It was interesting to hear that you did not try and change the skin tone, although she is blessed with young, glowing skin.

 

[Manda]

Relaxing into my hols, so I've spent time taking artistic license with this one.

#12

Texture added.
Painting with light to draw the eye into the patterns on the sarong and door.
Cloned the left door from the right to frame the offering; I couldn't decide whether there was too much empty space on the left.

It was a hastily shot photo as the old dame only paused for a short time.
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[pat33]

Nice series. Some excellent portraits in there. #7 is Brilliant.

 

[swishbrade]

After a couple of days I moved onto Ubud, it was a complete fluke that I chose the day of the Royal Cremation and was staying at the hotel right next to the celebrations. This is actually the day after when the funeral pyer was dust and ashes. The gentleman is collecting scrap metal, the heat was amazing. There won't be

It's a huge honour to participate in the celebration, so I enjoyed chatting to all the people preparing their floats. In the background is a richly docorated 'bull'. Later it will be added to the fire.

Cool shots! I was there when they were preparing for the ceremony. Here's a shot of the bull at that stage :bsmilie:

 

[Manda]

Great stuff - see the lamp post just over the lady's head - that got knocked when they were moving the float & the glass shattered all over every one. Luckily I had JUST moved from that location to get a different shot.

 

[88888]

Nice series, wish to see more...

 

[Arbal]

Not quite like the master's but very close :thumbsup:. I couldn't get anywhere near your standard let alone Dr Teh's.:cry:.

 

[Manda]

Thanks Arbal - you can see imitation is a poor copy.

I nearly binned this PSD, but added another texture right at the end to cover the reflective water which caused the exposure to be blown.

#13

This link has an interesting FREE action which is designed for portraits, but I used it to control contrast.
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[Manda]

I'd love to take photos of a tattoo parlour, I've checked one out in China Town and even asked a friend if I could photograh her having one done. She declined the offer.

This was taken with the 50mm so the guy was very kind to let me get this close.

I returned to my Lee Varis book which has a section on improving tattoos.
#14
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[Manda]

I'd gone to see the Herons and try and catch a sunset, but I was more drawn to the bird fight that was about to happen.

Unfortunately I'd change the mode to tiff by accident, so there is little forgiveness in the blown parts of the image.

#15

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[Manda]

#16

Another chap whilst waiting for the Royal Cremation. He was teasing me a lot.

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[Manda]

#17

Just exploring with post processing with Vincent Versace.

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[Renesix]

I like them all.
Your subjects are focus in your still life pictures, not messy and distracted from the surrounding.

Very inspiring.

 

[Manda]

#18

This guy was sat under a sacrificial bull that would later be carried on the float.

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[Manda]

#19

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[night86mare]

love the portraits, esp the last one, there is something about people when they smoke. wish i could start a smoker series but don't have the courage to go up to approach people that way yet. is #19 the same guy as #9? i think he looks better here.

i would go easy on the texture usage, sometimes it is either not an appropriate use or better not to use at all. for example, it is good for #17, lends a good feel and mood. personally it doesn't work for #18, i think this one is better without altogether. texture use might work in #12, but do not like the one used there.

 

[zoossh]

#18

This guy was sat under a sacrificial bull that would later be carried on the float.

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i'm not sure if i'm the only one seeing it, but i think there are a few areas that are quite glaring. there is probably some backlighting from his left, and i suppose other than fill flash, some post processing probably have been done for the darker parts of the face. however, the halo around the eyes are very prominent and looks unnatural, becos parts that should be white should be the bulging puffy parts as seen in other portraits rather than on the smooth complexion and probably sloping in contours for the boy. and just above the nasolabial folds, the fairer part also appears unnaturally fair with a smudge of blurring on his right cheek.

i gather that from his nose and lips, there seem to be some light. i'm curious as to if there is a flash or something that lights him up from below...

 

[Manda]

Thanks to Nightmare and Zooosh for your observations - I respect both your opinions.

Portrait #9&#19 - is the same man. Vincent Versace calls it "image harvesting" - basically I've joined two images together to get sharper eyes from one and masked them into the above portrait. I also flipped it horizontally. This might not be a good idea as the squint in the original is more appropriate for some one smoking. Also, for some reason, the cigarette is wrong - I check the original and the lightroom adjustments have ruined the pixels, but as it is never going to print, I've ignored it.

Textures - completely agree, but I seem to be addicted to it at the moment. I did wonder why no one liked #18 and now I know!!

Lighting on #18 - natural light (I can't use flash), but it was bright (hey - it's Asia) and there are blown out areas (hence my over use of texture to disguise it - unsuccessfully).

I was trying with Vincent Versace 'painting with light' method (filter>render>lighting effects) which gives the unnatural and uneven lighting. It's a technique I need to perfect.

Thanks again for your observations, it's answered a lot of my confusion about the pictures and why they don't work.