Results 1 to 16 of 16

Thread: Eye Contact

  1. #1
    Lifetime Member Charleen Ratcliff's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    81
    Threads
    10
    Thank You Posts

    Default Eye Contact

    I have several shots of this beautiful momma, happily eating in the evening twilight in the Serengeti.

    Was taken with Nikon D7100 / 70-300mm lens at 185mm ; ISO 200;/ f/5.0; 1/250. I then did some minor editing in LR then took it into NIK Efex for the effect.

    So, there you have it; any suggestions etc you can provide will, as always be most welcome. Thanks Charleen
    Name:  Serengeti elefor BPN.jpg
Views: 131
Size:  314.1 KB
    Last edited by Charleen Ratcliff; 01-18-2015 at 01:27 PM.

  2. #2
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    14,320
    Threads
    929
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Charleen - January's theme is High Key Images. February's theme is Eye Contact. We announce the themes at least a month in advance to give people a chance to shoot theme images. So I am removing the "theme" prefix so as not to confuse people unless you want to process it as a high key image. Please let me know.

    As to the image itself, I'm not really a fan of the sort of antique toning. I do like the eye contact and the off-centered placement. You've brought out nice textures too. My biggest issue with the image is that I feel you needed to shoot wider to have room below for the legs and a bit more. As is, it feels a bit truncated (no pun intended).

    TFS,
    Rachel

  3. #3
    Lifetime Member Charleen Ratcliff's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    81
    Threads
    10
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks Rachel, sorry if I jumped the proverbial gun!

    Yes you are correct in saying I could have done the shot wider...too many shots of feet getting cut off! So that is something I can work on.

    I suppose it is matter of personal taste but I am quite fond of antique toning as well as other types, No problem there! I would make a contribution to 'high key' images for January but don't know what that means! So if you have a chance perhaps you could let me know what that entails?

    Many thanks! Charleen

  4. #4
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    14,320
    Threads
    929
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Charleen - the traditional definition of a high key image is a brighter image with little contrast or shadows and the vast majority of tones above a mid-grey. Take a look at some of the various theme image threads, it's been discussed in a few of them as well.

    Rachel

  5. Thanks Charleen Ratcliff thanked for this post
  6. #5
    BPN Member Anette Mossbacher's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Switzerland
    Posts
    1,818
    Threads
    95
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Charleen,

    how exactly did you do the effect in NIK? The elli has a great look, details are very good as far LR goes. Sadly the legs missing, no deal breaker for me.
    The conversion is not quite my style either, but this more a taste matter. I see in the conversion that much more can be done with it.

    Have a great eve

    Ciao Anette

  7. Thanks Charleen Ratcliff thanked for this post
  8. #6
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Somewhere in Africa
    Posts
    3,723
    Threads
    251
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Nice texture and contrast. I like the fact you tried the this conversion. We don't see anything like this usually. More room all around probably would have been better. TFS Charleen!

  9. Thanks Charleen Ratcliff thanked for this post
  10. #7
    Lifetime Member Charleen Ratcliff's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    81
    Threads
    10
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks Anette

    This is only perhaps the 3rd time I have used NIK....so I will go back in it today and play with it...let me know what suggestions you might have for 'doing more with it'.

    Kind regards,Charleen

  11. #8
    Lifetime Member Charleen Ratcliff's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    81
    Threads
    10
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks Dumay, I was trying to direct the viewers eyes to the face of the face of the elephant....can always take it back in and work on it some more!

    I am partial to effects...must be my training in art where I focused on pen and ink / black & white drawings

    Kind regards, Charleen

  12. #9
    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Dortmund / Germany
    Posts
    10,906
    Threads
    1,196
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Charlene , i was thinking should i start with a positive comment or should just be honest with you , saying this is just my personal view not a general .
    As an image it is not working for me , because the unnatural vignette is not my favorite and the color/toning likewise . Sorry . I do not mind that much the crop .

    As a general tip , as you are a beginner i would stay away from plugins i.e. NIK , it gives you great results at the first look , but you do not know what the software is doing to the image . I would start to learn the basic stuff and keep it simple in your workflow , learn about image tonality , how to target specific tones and edit them , learn about luminosity masks ,levels , curves , sharpening, local contrast . And if you know more or less what you are doing , than i would maybe go to soft i.e. NIK .

    Picking up Steve K´s words , this does look somehow " Oldie Worldly "

    Hope you understand my points , but you can go your way if you like !

    TFS looking for me from you

  13. #10
    Lifetime Member Charleen Ratcliff's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    81
    Threads
    10
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi there Andreas, thanks for your response; and you can just say it how you see and feel it...I may not agree but that is what makes life interesting! The OP was not cropped just straightened a tad - I am a 'crooked horizon shooter'!

    Just for the record, I know a LOT about LR - am on it everyday, experimenting, watching tutorials, getting feedback from my mentor Anette M. then practicing again. I am like a sponge, soaking up everything I can, learning, throwing out what doesn't work.

    And for me, the original post works - OK - almost works for me, needs some adjustments in NIK, which I will do but will not repost that one as no one but me seems to like it, which is a big okay for me!

    What I am reposting is the original with edits done in LR only and certainly welcome any suggestions / comments you may want to suggest. The problem I have with this is the sky, the shot was at dusk, so the sky was that in between blue and grey with tints of pink from the soon to be setting sun....cannot get that right.

    So many thanks Andreas, and everyone for your comments and will do the RP.

  14. #11
    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Dortmund / Germany
    Posts
    10,906
    Threads
    1,196
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Ok Charleen , sorry i thought your are a rookie when it comes to image editing , may be i got you wrong . I did not know that you know a LOT about PP work .

    It is ok if you as the artist like your image , and that is the most important point !!!!

    We all can agree or disagree to images or comments ,a good learning curve is mostly included .

    Cheers Andreas

  15. #12
    Lifetime Member Charleen Ratcliff's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    81
    Threads
    10
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    LOL! Well Andreas, by your excellent standards I am a rookie! there are things I don't know, like 'selective colouring' and do struggle with getting the selective 'custom' white balance to be what it should be, but I keep trying!

    Thanks, Kind regards, Charleen

  16. #13
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    14,858
    Threads
    1,235
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Late to this one, Charleen...
    I don't mind the actual toning but find the white vignette a bit too much for my tastes. I think you can apply it more subtly yet still get the viewer to focus on the eyes. At the moment I am finding the vignette drawing my eye more than the elephant, perhaps it's just me.
    The rest has been said already. Looking forward to your repost!

    (PS: did get your message, will still respond properly!)
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


  17. Thanks Charleen Ratcliff thanked for this post
  18. #14
    Lifetime Member Charleen Ratcliff's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    81
    Threads
    10
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Dear Moderators....I cannot post an image from 'my computer' window....can you check this for me please?

    Many thanks, Charleen

  19. #15
    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    5,444
    Threads
    444
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Another vote for a bit more room but I like the look of the processing. I also like the tree in the background, it makes a nice addition to the image.

  20. Thanks Charleen Ratcliff thanked for this post
  21. #16
    Lifetime Member Charleen Ratcliff's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    81
    Threads
    10
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thank you Steve; am trying to do a repost but cannot get the upload link to work! Will try later!

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics