I appologize for the obvious text that was inserted in Photoshop, but I have recently found one of my pics that was copied to another website without my permission. It's flattering, but this way at least my name gets credited!
I like the image very much.
Well done and performed,
My pet peeve is that it looks dark, not much detail in her hair (top left corner)
It may just be an scanning problem???
With respect to the dark part of her hair, the chrome definitely shows detail. In PS I had to make some levels adjustments due to my scanner generally scanning in dark, even after I make level adjustments with the scanning software. There is a two stage reduction in detail in PS. Since I scan in at 400dpi for 10x10 target at a ICC profile of Adobe RGB, I convert my images to an ICC profile of sRGB after adjustment for printing purposes. I need to do this since the printer and the web has a smaller colour gamut than Adobe RGB. This loses some detail. Further, I tend to save my JPEGs at 60% quality and at 400x400 pixels only since I am posting from the web. This is the second stage of losing more detail.
In this case the ICC profile doesn't change since I scan in with an ICC profile of Gamma 2.2 for B&W, but the rest of the workflow remains the same.
I'd be really curious what other workflows are being used to prepare images for web.
I wish people would say more about pictures than the amount of detail, or how much they love it. There is hardly any elaboration within the critique forum, hardly any Real discussion.
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What is it about the space that you like?
Why does it speak to you?
What is the visual source of the tender vibe?
How is it a great use of light? What is it about the light on her face that you love?
What is a classic (fine art) nude? Does this really qualify?---try googling \"fine art nude\"---see what you get . . . it looks very different from what is here.
What about it is retro or simple?
There is so much that could be written about this picture. Yet there are hardly more than three sentences in each post.
This is what I have to say so far:
This is truly a wonderful picture.
I have a few minor questions about your technique and a suggestion about the amount of information you give in the description.
Why Scala? The print form a silver negative can be much deeper than an inkjet print, and it can still be scanned. If darkroom work is a problem, there are still labs who will print "traditionally" for you.
I understand your concern of plagiarism, but the little title you put in can be erased almost as easily. If you are going to persist in putting your name within the picture, I suggest you do it smaller/lighter as to not distract from the picture. The structure (which is just as important as the content) can be negatively affected.
It is in the critique gallery so it is obvious that you want to know what people think.
Why do you call it a "nude study"? Are you afraid people will think it is porn if you do not state otherwise?
This was made in a hotel room, with studio lights. What do you find that is important about that information. I think it actually detracts from the photograph. It doesn't let me, the viewer, wonder where it is. Or wonder about the expression on her face. Who is it that she is looking at? Or not looking at? Why is she distancing herself from the right side of the picture?
It limits the imagination. I was dreaming that it was a European villa, with light coming from an open door on a balcony. Now that is ruined. Now, my imagination is confined to a hotel room. When I think of hotel rooms I think of Las Vegas. When I think of Las Vegas I think of anything dirty.----All that is to make the point that a viewer brings their life to viewing a picture and what you say and don't say will effect that.
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Structurally the picture is perfect. Her lean to the left is balanced by the dark space above the pillows (I am not yet sure if the depression between the pillows helps or hurts the picture). The empty space next to her on the bed, along with her protective or suspicious expression (facial and bodily) gives the feeling of her disconnection of whatever is to her right. And, makes you wonder if it is her choice or not. The robe or blanket with which she is half covering herself shows that she is uncomfortable with her nudity, something I think contrasts nudity and nakedness (which can stir more emotion or thought in a viewer).
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Someone asked me why a certain picture was my favorite (at the time it was Edward Weston\'s Halved Artichoke). My response was something I did not expect, and I felt it come from deep down in my guts. That picture made me realize more about myself, what I thought of the world and life. This picture here does the same. And that, makes it a great picture.
By far the most insightful critique I have had ever. Thank you so much for a very intelligent look at one of my pics. To answer your questions.
Why Scala?
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For black and white photography I love using Scala. It has nothing to do with printing. Call me quirky, but I now only shoot transparencies for no other reason than I like the way it looks on a light table. This image was a 'negative' scan, not a scan from a print.
Plagerism
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I know anyone can 'cut' my name and such, but the folks who steal pics don't bother. They just download the pic and place it on their sites. The one I found was on an online gallery that was a trailer for a porn site. You have to understand that these cyber stealers use as many 'tame but nude' pics as they can find - new materials generate new subscribers - to their porn sites where the pics are more hardcore.
Nude Study
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What was I suppose to call it? Honestly, I didn't think about the title too much. As for my fear of porn or other labels, I am hardly afraid.
Technical Info
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Damned if I do and damned if I don't. LOL I am sorry that the technical info 'ruined' the mystique for you. Certainly not my intent. I am going to 'ruin' another mystique and that is your assumption about the model's uncomfortableness...she is very uncomfortable, that is true, but it is not about her nudity. As she told me "She's never had a photographer tell her to put a robe ON before." LOL