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ctfchallenge | all galleries >> Challenge 130 - Face to Face >> Challenge 130 - Exhibition > Carla*
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28-OCT-2006 Christina Conroy

Carla*

Southern California

I know I'm taking a chance on this one.
It's not the favorite shot from this series in my galleries, but it's one of my favorite.
I know, it's ahhhrty... but I like the feel of it.
I know, her face isn't in focus... but I like the effect it creates...

If you all really, really hate it, I have many more to choose from.
Please don't be shy!
(I know you won't) :)

Canon PowerShot S1 IS
1/200s f/5.6 at 32.2mm iso50 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time28-Oct-2006 17:05:44
MakeCanon
ModelCanon PowerShot S1 IS
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length32.2 mm
Exposure Time1/200 sec
Aperturef/5.6
ISO Equivalent50
Exposure Bias
White Balance
Metering Modematrix (5)
JPEG Quality
Exposure Program
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Kevin Nisen 05-Apr-2007 01:23
Sorry, um, no.
Squared C02-Apr-2007 17:11
Yeah, the bright spot is a flare. I got rid of it as much as I could without it looking crazy. I'll work on the hair part. I hadn't thought of that before and I can see what you mean...

Thanks all for the comments. I'm glad a couple people like it as I certainly do. Thanks for not writing it off immediately!
ctfchallenge02-Apr-2007 16:35
I keep coming back to this one, Christina. It is fascinating. I like how the background is crisp and sharp but Carla looks as though she is a sprite who you might not see at all if you were looking at any other angle. Very fantastical! The overly dodged, or sun flare, area is a problem, I don't mind it on her face but if you could bring the hair back to the darkness of the rest of her hair it wouldn't look like a mistake. And it would frame her face nicely. Don't give up on this shot. As you say, mistakes are where some of our most interesting art comes from! ~Sharon
Rod 02-Apr-2007 11:53
I can see why you like this shot as there's something about it but the dodging down through the nose chin & hair being overdone spoils it for me.
Squared C02-Apr-2007 06:20
Well, of course it was a mistake! :) But isn't that where we often find art?!? Yeah, I know, this is going to pending really soon...
aam1234 02-Apr-2007 06:08
Have to agree with others, it looks more of a mistake than an intentional effect. IMO of course.
Squared C02-Apr-2007 05:53
Thanks for both of your comments... Here is a little context... www.pbase.com/electina/carla

(I don't know how to make it a direct link...)

I'm going to see what a few others have to say. As I mention I have a lot of others from that shoot to choose from that are different... so most likely one of them will end up here instead...
ctfchallenge01-Apr-2007 22:40
I don't hate it :) But I don't love it unconditionally. This is the kind of shot that would benefit greatly from a followup-image or more, to spot the "trend" or statement. *Much* weaker as a standalone. If all your other pictures are greatly different, for instance, it would stand out as a sore thumb and look like a mistake. So I think it needs a setting.. some PR lol. But I can see why you like this. It's very dreamlike.. like something from an old film from the 70ties. Which is kinda trendy again right now.

As a standalone, I kinda like the red glow and darkness in contrast to the pale and washed out greenish background, for instance. A vague double statement there. I like the thistle in the foreground. I like her hair and expression. She looks like she has plans for the viewer.. whatever those might be. An intense look, and the slight OOF makes it a kind of secret, obscures the intent, like something is about to happen but we aren't quite aware of it yet. Reminds me a lot of the spirit from Zabriskie Point. -kiki2
ctfchallenge01-Apr-2007 21:49
I don't know what you were trying for here, Christina, but to me it just looks out of focus and not well exposed, with too much dodging on the face. It was a difficult lighting situation, no doubt, but this one just doesn't work for me. I hope I'm not being too blunt, but I've seen some of your other work, and I know that you have done a lot of wonderful things. However, what to do with this one is completely up to you. If you really like it, leave it in and see how others react to it. I think it's always good to take chances with your photos...that's how we learn and (hopefully!!) improve.
--Mary Anne