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Canon DSLR Challenge | all galleries >> Challenge 69: Greyscale (host: Jim Harrison) >> Eligible > 6th Place
Winters Child
by Gayle Knowles
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04-JUN-2006 Gayle Knowles

6th Place
Winters Child
by Gayle Knowles

Australia

Canon EOS 20D ,Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
0.60s f/4.5 at 50.0mm iso400 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time04-Jun-2006 20:02:38
MakeCanon
ModelCanon EOS 20D
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length50 mm
Exposure Time0.60 sec
Aperturef/4.5
ISO Equivalent400
Exposure Bias-1.00
White Balance (-1)
Metering Modeaverage (1)
JPEG Quality (6)
Exposure Programaperture priority (3)
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Canon DSLR Challenge11-Jun-2006 17:49
Beautiful portrait and composition. --Melanie (mlynn)
Canon DSLR Challenge08-Jun-2006 00:15
That's why I love you, Gayle. :) ~ Lonnit
Gayle Knowles07-Jun-2006 05:24
Lonnit, that's why it took me a while to respond.....I had to think about your comments, consider them, then consider how I felt about what you said and how I could maybe use that information and technique in the future. Always appreciated!
Canon DSLR Challenge07-Jun-2006 03:35
Gayle, your feelings about this are exactly what I had hoped they would be. :) You can see the validity of the comment, tuck it away for future reference, and not feel a need to reshoot or reprocess this. It has its own beauty just the way it is. My comment was food for thought and a bit of devil's advocate. Had I never heard a judge say such a thing - oops, correction here; I'm just recalling that it wasn't a judge, it was my favorite club member who said such things during his seminar on shooting in window light. - So, either way, had I never heard him say that, I probably would never have thought twice about it and never commented b/c the image is so lovely as is. He showed some images where, in the same shot, there was separation from the background, and then a version without. The ones with did look more correct, but without the comparison to the version with, you'd sure as heck say, "Gorgeous!". :)

When I learned this, it gave me something to think about as well, and I appreciated it. That's why I thought I'd pass it along to you. Especially since you're shooting for competition as well - sometimes it's those little things that can be the difference between an ribbon or not. Honestly, for this, I still think you'd have no problem getting the ribbon! ;)

So, I'm glad it was all taken in the spirit in which I intended it - actually, you couldn't have come closer to nailing my intention spot on. I'm glad. :) ~ Love, Lonnit
Canon DSLR Challenge06-Jun-2006 23:34
Instead of lightening up the hat, how about the background? It wouldn't need to be much at all. In fact, if I look carefully, I can see that the background is already lighter than the darkest part of the hat. Actually, though, I like it the way it is. If I were to change anything about this picture, it would probably be to change the difference in texture between the jacket and the hat, perhaps using a sweater instead of a jacket.

The reason for that is that the texture in the jacket is slightly distracting -- certainly more so than the hat. Really, though, it doesn't need to be changed at all.

Regarding the border, I think it helps to separate the picture from the background. Perhaps a smaller border would have been less distracting, but I think having a border is no problem at all. -- Victor
Gayle Knowles06-Jun-2006 22:35
Lonnit, I'm still considering your comments about the lack of separation on the left side, and I kind of agree....but then I really like the photo the way it is. I'm not going to reshoot it, I never do that but it will definitely be tucked away in the memory banks for future reference.
I don't alway agree with the judges. On some things yes definitely, but on others....well, I differ. Sometimes I think too much technical perfection can ruin the "feel" of a mood and I captured the mood I wanted here. But I'm glad you brought it up, cos it's given me something to think about and I definitely learned something.
ctfchallenge06-Jun-2006 02:37
I now see what everyone else was seeing. Well done.
theFly
ctfchallenge05-Jun-2006 17:26
Great portrait Gayle. What I like most is the slight tilt of her head to her right. That adds an extra appeal! About the hat, I share Michael's opinion, this being an unconventional portrait. Lonnit's point will apply for a more traditional portrait. My guess is the separation exisits in the color version, but is lost (unintentionally) during the BW conversion. -Cat
Canon DSLR Challenge05-Jun-2006 17:02
The thing is, Michael, that had I not ever heard a judge say that, I wouldn't have thought anything of it in this image. It is indeed a beautiful image. However, once I started thinking about what the judge said, I started thinking that I'd like to see that slight separation. I'm talking really minor amount of light, BTW. If there as any detail in the direct front of the hat, I think I'd be less likely to feel the need for a separation. I think the reason I feel it needs it is because the solid black runs all the way around the front until it gets past her nose, so it's almost like the hat isn't even implied anymore. Cover the left half of the image; it looks a bit odd that her head is suddenly chopped off. If the right side didn't exist, there'd be no indication at all that there even was a hat. So, I'm figuring that either a slight hint of rim light, or bringing up some slight hint of the hat's texture in the left side, would help. Again, I'm not talking major blunder here; I'm talking about a minor nit pick that for most other photogs I'd not even mention. I only say it *because* she's so good. :) ~ Lonnit
Guest 05-Jun-2006 16:51
I find the added white border quite distracting. It is whiter than your subject's eyes and competes for attention with them. More than that , my eye tends to follow the border endlessly without ever getting back to your subject.
Sorry... Bogdan
Vikas Malhotra05-Jun-2006 15:25
Stunning portrait Gayle, excellent; love the way the eyes have come out; they just draw you into the photograph.

Cheers, vikas.
Guest 05-Jun-2006 14:47
Gayle, regarding lighting...I believe your lighting *is* "technically" correct. To my mind, good technique is to give the face/figure good modelling, accentuate positive features, create the forms you want us to see. However, I don't think your lighting is "conventional"...it's not what everyone would do, but it's stunning with a real "Wow" factor. Apologies to belabor this point, but I think I've given you the impression that I feel there's something technically wrong with your lighting. Instead, I want to leave you with the impression that I feel you've developed a fine artistic style. -Michael
Guest 05-Jun-2006 13:15
In second Michael's take and thoughts. In photography the only laws you can't break are the laws of Physics. In this setup the only good way to kick the subject off the background would have been a rim light. However rim lighting, I believe, would have ruined the picture's impact. I like this EXACTLY the way it is. Bogdan
Gayle Knowles05-Jun-2006 07:11
I'm humbled. Thanks for your comments. Regarding lighting.....when I do a portrait, I use my "feelings" rather than the "rules" for lighting. I spent ages getting table lamps, a torch and the "diffusers" positioned to get the lighting how I wanted it. And even though I know it's not technically correct, it's exactly how I wanted it.
Guest 05-Jun-2006 05:49
Gorgeous portrait, Gayle.

Lonnit, I couldn't disagree more. It makes no difference to me if the right side of the hat merges into the background. The hat has done it's job, it has framed the face and focuses our attention with a graceful arc...I don't feel it's the least bit important to see any detail or differentiation of the hat from the background on the image's left side.

So often, I think "judges" and "teachers" instill into us "conventional wisdom". This is the second portrait from Gayle where I remember she has used a key light to the side and very low. Any reading I've done (and a workshop I attended) advises a key light higher than the subject's face. That's "convential wisdom" and you'll get a typical portrait every time if you follow it. But these portraits from Gayle are anything but conventional and are far more visually exciting than following the standard portrait lighting set up would have produced. This is an enormously important portrait lesson which I've learned from Gayle's pieces.

While I don't think one can be an artist without being an exceptional craftsman, I don't think craftsmanship alone makes an artist. I think many judges/teachers use craftsmanship as a measure rather than artistry. While I may be wrong, I rather suspect Gayle has made considered choices over every inch of this portrait. I think those choices are rather extraordinary and lead to a visually rich image.

I know, I'm not usually this long winded, but this is a subject I feel strongly about.

Gayle, did I mention this is a gorgeous portrait? -Michael
Canon DSLR Challenge05-Jun-2006 00:45
Who said that?
Canon DSLR Challenge04-Jun-2006 21:05
Leave the blacks blending into the background. Is perfect.
Canon DSLR Challenge04-Jun-2006 14:51
Lovely Gayle! Now, the typical judge at my camera club would say to have a little light on her right to lift her off the background. I'd say, for the jacket part, there is the oh-so-slightest bit of detail, so I'm ok with pushing that envelope. On the hat though, I'd have to say that I agree with the judges. It is merging with the background and it detracts for me. Now that I've said that - understand that I judge you with a much harsher eye b/c you've got the goods, baby. It's time for you to step out of world of mere greatness into the realm of magnificence! :) Excellent work. ~ Love Lonnit
jnconradie04-Jun-2006 12:52
Splendid portrait, Gayle. Please also refer my question in the discussion thread. ~jnconradie