catalint Loc: oslo

Hi,

I was out walking this evening. And suddenly i noticed this from distance. I was a little shocked at first, it was so real. But in the park?
So i gave it a try. The color version was not in my taste. So i gave it a try with a tone mapping and black and white. Which is new for me. B&W i want to look more into it.

I would love to get some constructive critics on this. Overall, I do kind like it. I'm just having problems deciding about how well or poor I did on B&W.

(Download)

trc Loc: Logan, OH

Catalint,

I find it very interesting and unique and a good example of photographic art that one might actually find in a museum. Not knowing what the color image was like, it is difficult to say what kind of job you did in the conversion to B&W.

Let's face it, now days, converting a color image to B&W can be as simple as clicking a button on a computer. It is the individual PP'ing choices and techniques with artistic flare that tend to make or break a B&W conversion from a color image. Thanks for posting.

Best Regards,
Tom

catalint Loc: oslo

Thank you for taking the time Trc,
if you interested in the color version, I've actually posted all there pictures I had in this thread for viewing

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-340362-1.html#5711037

Here i have the color version as well, and another angle.

trc Loc: Logan, OH

Catalint,

I like the angle you chose for your B&W as opposed to the other angle in the original link on UHH. I also prefer the B&W over the color image. It is much more mysterious setting and enhancing the mood for this particular statue.

I think I would prefer just a tad more contrast of the statue's shadows on the 'cloth' draped over the 'body' underneath. The light with the star effect in the background over the 'feet' seems to be distracting - maybe clone it out, and the lighted highway road (I think) camera left in the background may also be better if it was decreased in intensity and brightness

The viewer's eyes navigate to bright areas in a photograph first, and the statue competes with that roadway lit up behind it. I'd leave it in, but tone it down quite a bit in intensity or highlighted appearance. Then, I think I would lighten the dark area (just a tad) that seems to exemplify two sides of a rectangular 'wall/boundary,' or probably actually the ground, and see what difference it would make to merely give it just a little reference point.

These, of course, are just merely suggestions based on my preferences and artistic flare.

Tom

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

I came across a strange tombstone that I ought to go back and try in B&W since the color didn't look that good to me. As for a critique, I think it is an interesting subject with good lighting. I think the angle you shot it from is fine, but the bright area across the top which looks like a fence, utility pole(s), etc. is distracting. If either the whole top could be darkened or cropped in some way or a dark vignette added, I think it would help.

Was the lighting something set up for this statue or just what happened to fall on it? The light looks white in the color images on the link as compared to the lighting in the background.

catalint Loc: oslo

A million thanx Trc :)

I will take your advice and give it a try when I'll get back home. It's this kind of suggestions I am looking for. I have done a lot of research on my own since I started with this hobby, but never had opinions on my progress and work I've done. Like this I know I'm doing something right.

manofhg Loc: Knoxville, TN

Here is the tombstone I found that need to see if B&W would be any better or if I am just stuck with a bad composition.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203767608031158&set=a.10203767601030983.1073741874.1847581270&type=3&theater

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

Hello Catalin, this is just the sort of subject I would love to stumble upon. My suggestion with this shot would be to dodge the shadow on the upper arm, the lighting suggests that this should be brighter rather than shadowed. The upper background also needs some attention to get rid of all the clutter. Looking at the other pictures you linked to, the bottom one would be my pick, the angle you took the other two at seems rather awkward.

Graham

catalint Loc: oslo

It really means a lot to me to get all the suggestions and critics.

@manofhg : Yes, light on the statue is from a spot light they mounted up in a tree just 3m away from the head side. I think I need to get back to this site a little later, cause I was bothered by car light from behind where I stood.

@Graham Smith: I feel like a school boy who wants to learn and appreciates all the angles of opinions. I definitely have something to work on now, and I'll take all this as my homework. :)

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

When you go back try taking from square on as in your third picture, this time from a lower angle. Hopefully this will accentuate the profile of the figure, the face and any other bits that stickup :-)

EDIT: Also try shooting with a wider aperture to blur the background somewhat.

Graham

catalint Loc: oslo

:thumbup:
When I came home yesterday evening, I also said to myself: Again I forgot to try both wider and smaller apertures. So now I will go for a lilttle notebook in my bag to keep reminders. :)

trc Loc: Logan, OH

Graham & Catalint,

Yes, I think the wider aperture (Shallower DOF) might be a good idea. By doing so, that would draw more attention to the statue. With the brighter background lights subdued considerably, as I mentioned previously, the combination of the two would put far more emphasis on the 'subject.'

Both of those along with more contrast created on the top of the 'sheet or blanket' of the statue would increase the added definition and character allowing the statue to draw in the viewer more, and, hence, 'speak' to the viewer!

Hopefully, Catalint, you will be able to implement these suggestions to see how it improves the shot.

Tom

Nightski

What a provocative image. My mind is instantly filled with questions. I will say that I love the detail of the woman's body under the cloth .. it morbid .. and yet provocative at the same time ... geez .. it makes me feel wierd. The light on the draped part of the sheet is wonderful. The shadows and light make it look like a marble sculpture. I do wish for the distraction to be gone above the wall .. perhaps let it go dark entirely since it's not important to the scene,

catalint Loc: oslo

Yes indeed, I have a good homework .

I am really going to give it another try. I have a planed evening job for a customer from 21h this evening, and hope to be finished quickly so I can stop by the place again. If not, I'm surely going to be able in a couple of days.

C.

jim hill Loc: Springfield, IL

Edit: There is also the problem of a large area of blown highlight at the foot.

A fascinating subject.

First, I don not believe that you have exploited all the angles. This would be an opportunity to shoot from a number of different positions around the sarcophagus thereby allowing you to select a stronger view.

Further, it might be advantageous to shoot under various light - at different times of the day. The nice thing about subjects such as this is that they present, over a period of time, a lot of opportunity to practice seeing.

Others have remarked about how nice an image this is and I will second those comments.