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ctfchallenge | all galleries >> CTF Challenge 172 - Opposites >> Opposites - Eligible > Demmi - Black & White
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09-NOV-2008 Lonnit Rysher

Demmi - Black & White

Canon EOS 5D ,Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
1/25s f/3.2 at 70.0mm iso1600 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Canon DSLR Challenge15-Nov-2008 17:18
Yes, Ceej, agree wholeheartedly with you about the sharpness bit. Technically precise images are boring to me, lacking in heart. ~ Lonnit
ctfchallenge15-Nov-2008 16:00
Lovely portrait of your daughter Lonnit and I like the softer look - I think sometime there is too much emphasis on "sharpness". She's growing up so fast - treasure these moments! CJ
Canon DSLR Challenge14-Nov-2008 02:57
Teev, I never was a serious film shooter - just P&S. I do, however, have many film effects plug-ins. I love the grainy BWs that are so gritty and raw and real.

Aam, I'm flattered that you like this since, apparently, you're not a BW fan. I enjoy capturing candid moments for the realness of the expressions, like this, so I'm glad you appreciate it. It is a crop from vertical. I don't normally do that. I usually make the right choice on format. In this case, the tighter, horizontal crop put the complete emphasis on her beautiful expression. Going by the rule "if it doesnt' add to the image, it detracts", I chose to cut out all but the face. There wasn't a huge amount to crop, but there was no need for shoulders here. I did not crop at all in width. She was framed for facing me and then she turned her head. No time to reposition camera. I would have liked a tad more gaze room for her, but I had just enough to get away with what I had without it killing the image.

Thanks for commenting! ~ Lonnit
Rod 13-Nov-2008 08:33
You didn't comment on the opposite theme here Tommy.........Wasit on purpose:-)
ctfchallenge13-Nov-2008 03:41
Maybe you are too young to remember TRI-X but I like this as an old style grainy bw that was popular for its feeling of action, spontaneity, and realism. Since I'm still a Photoshop neophyte, I don't undersand much of your pp description but the result gives your daughter a dramatic and bigger than life appeal in this candid instant. -tv
aam1234 12-Nov-2008 17:47
On a second look, I'm starting to like this photo (can't believe I said that for a B&W pic). What did it for me is the BG on the left, there is a hint of movement without any movement (she was still, right). Also, the natural and honest look in your daughter's face.

Btw, is this a crop. If so, then maybe a little space on the left, where is she looking, might be nice.
Canon DSLR Challenge12-Nov-2008 00:01
You never heard of black and white being opposite? LOL! Yeah, I guess her nose is a bit more focusier than her eye. I'm lucky anything was in focus at handheld 1/25 sec! ~ Lonnit
aam1234 11-Nov-2008 21:20
Btw, you didn't get the focus point right. It supposed to be on her left eye (our right). Wink wink :)
aam1234 11-Nov-2008 21:13
Where are the opposites?
ctfchallenge11-Nov-2008 20:59
Ki, the rules didn't exclude lame excuses for opposites! LOL! I took the pic for myself and then a stroke of genius hit that told me that black and white are opposites, lame as that is. LOL! Glad you like the portrait though. It took dual processing. I processed the BW in a manner than left the eyes, mouth, and parts of the hair completely black. I then reprocessed it via a different method that allowed the teeth to show and the eyes to have detail. I allowed them to show thru via mask. I also masked over some of the really hot spots to get more detail in the hair, and the neck hair area so it wasn't solid black.

Aam, your confusion confuses me! LOL! ~ Lonnit
aam1234 11-Nov-2008 20:42
Sorry Lonnit, but not sure what I'm looking at here (besides your lovely daughter).
ctfchallenge11-Nov-2008 07:58
B&W is awfully lame for this challenge, but this is a very, very good portrait. Love that lens.
-k2
ctfchallenge10-Nov-2008 20:25
Thank you again, ladies. Sorry Rod, I've got dibs on B&W - find your own opposites! LOL! ~ Lonnit
Rod 10-Nov-2008 06:32
So Black & White is on topic a. Well, well, well doesn't that open the challenge up. Thanks Lonnit:-)
ctfchallenge10-Nov-2008 03:48
I wasn't around to see her younger, but she sure is expressive and pretty now! Lovely portrait work. Penny Street
ctfchallenge10-Nov-2008 03:33
She's lovely, Lonnit, and so is this photo! ~Sharon
ctfchallenge10-Nov-2008 03:19
Yeah, she's ancient! LOL! She recently turned 13. :) She's my one of my favorite subjects. Thanks. ~ Lonnit
ctfchallenge10-Nov-2008 02:51
Your daughter is getting so old, Lonnit. And beautifuller. :) ~Lydia