Thank you Bart, for this brilliant observation. I myself also like the candleless version, however, I made some changes based on your alteration. That is I made the smoke starts out of frame, instead of within the frame.... How do you think?
Guest
08-Mar-2006 08:12
WOW! This is superb, Xin.
"What's missing?" Hmm. I might try cropping out the candle. It would still work in a square format and it might add even more power not knowing the smoke's source. Just a thought.
Congrats
voted
An awesome work. I also learn a lot from the insight of Phil. It likes the principle of Chinese ancient paintings. Even they combine a lot fantastic imagination, their spirit absoultly roots in realities.
Yah...:D , I indeed burst into laugher for my misintepretation ~~~
Can you give me some sample album that has also practised theatrical makeup? Is this so-called behavioural arts?
What is missing is the impression of reality, Xin, and the emotional punch it brings with it. If you are dying for a try, go to a theatrical makeup store, buy some black face paint, and paint Xin in reality. Then light her and shoot her, and you will see the impact of reality add what is missing here. Right now it is simply beautiful. Breathtakng. Amazing. But it is all fantasy. No edge of reality there. If you are willing to use the art of theatre along with the art of expressive photography, you will see it come to life in front of your eyes.
I got a huge laugh out of Xin trying to find theatrical makeup in her photoshop filter panel!!!! I bet you are laughing now yourself!
Thanks a lot for your kind encouragement, Phil. I spent 2 hours last night playing with those smokes and I head into bed with 70% satisfaction of the final outcome. I still got a feeling that there is something missing, although I can't tell how and where. Thank you for your suggestion and I would die for a try, however, I couldn't find theatrical makeup from my photoshop filter panels.
This is utterly spectacular, Xin. The image is pure silk -- the blackened face floats in the same void as the smoke. It is amazing how I can tell you what to do, and then you go ahead and do it but with far greater impact that I could ever imagine. You are an artist, Xin -- it is in your soul.
This image has emotional impact because of the contrast between the smoke and the face, but it would have even more emotional punch if the face was more real and less electronic. If you could try this shot again, only blacking your face with theatrical makeup, but throwing the same kind of light on it, you would see more of Xin and less of the computer in it. The result: a stronger reality and greater emotional punch.
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