magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

I have been messing about with textures and effects for a while now trying to get a particular 'look' to an image. This image is part of the experimentation. The armour is converted (with some Ps panel-beating) from my earlier post 'Philip Of Woodchester' that can be found here if you're interested https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-774019-1.html
I've used the 'Glowing Edges' filter to create black lines and harsh texture to the armour. All component parts are my photographs and textures - and a lot of help from Ps. Feel free to critique in you have the time, it is appreciated.

(Download)

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

Nice imagination, nice result.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thank you Dean, nice of you to say so.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Your work results in a very pleasing post, Dave!

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Well done Dave, I especially like the colors. The only critical comment I can make is that from all I've seen, Joan was not nearly that pretty.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thanks Mike, glad you like it.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thanks Jack. Yes, Connie, the model, is a real heartbreaker - but actually a little older than she ought to be to pose as Joan, who was only nineteen when the English put her to the stake. Quite a woman though!

L-Fox

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

👍Thank you!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Beautifully composed, with some cool figures in the shadows too. The slopes of the hills and the black to airy colorful is really pleasing. I love the technique on the colored areas, some kind of pointillism?

Now to our saint: I feel the halo doesn't fit with the style of the image, nor is it needed. It almost feels a bit amateurish (childlike) compared to the high quality of the rest. The woman (beautiful or not) shouldn't be wearing makeup nor have a perfect hairdo. Other than that, perfect!

Curious where you get your inspiration for subject matter, Dave. It feels like you do a lot of historical reading. So many strong and effective themes, and so different from what most of us share. I'm very grateful for your participation in the section!

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

I overall like it a lot. The background fits the scene. The armor is not your typical heavy armor. She is a female. The traditional armor may have been over kill.
Like Linda, I feel the halo is not needed, nor what is in her hair at the top.
But overall another winner.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Connie or Joan?

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Both, of course!

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

First off, many thanks for the thoughtful critique Linda, you raise some of my own concerns. It’s almost annoying that I only switched the halo layer back on immediately prior to saving for UHH! I tried various halo forms including a square-on circle (did not look right, although I’m sure I’ve seen them done like that on angled or profiled figures in stained glass) and ‘filled-in’ with pale gold colour. I think I accept your thought on it but have been advised my chief advisor wishes to look at it in detail!!
I find this lady’s skin such a delight to photograph the make-up didn’t cross my mind so I’ll take a look at that. The hair will probably stay but with the removal of the gold tiara thingy. Which brings me to where the inspiration comes from - mostly I look through the images achieved at a shoot, event or walkabout and see if anything comes to mind. I wanted to put the lady into armour, so Joan is the first person that springs to mind. Firstly I search paintings to get an idea or two, then I read up on her life - that was far too short! A straight portrait shot with her looking very ‘capable’ but retaining some feminism was the aim. And hair in the paintings I studied was anything from the hard cut mop we all think of to long flowing and sexy! I thought the lady that can do no wrong also got the hair right in my shot!!
I should add that I do spend an inordinate amount of time searching and studying paintings, and follow several art forums and pages. YKW often complains about that. Most of the shoots and events I do are historically themed so costume is important to me. So there you have it. I never tire of what I do and hope to continue ad infinitum, but have missed two shoots this year due to age stuff and my next booked shoot is not until next Spring - when I’ll be one month off 80. I expect others will pop up meanwhile though. Thanks for putting up with me here and the time you put into the section, we all appreciate it I know.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thanks Frank, pleased you like it. Please see my lengthy response to Linda for my thoughts on the hair and tiara.