Melissa's Photoblog
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Posted by Melissa W. (Warsaw, Indiana, United States) on 12 July 2008 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.
Ron from Saint Louis, United States
Very cool, Melissa ... I like the "edgy" composition and the stark contrast (maybe even high-key) between the girl/daisy and the deep shadow in the background.
12 Jul 2008 10:01pm
Graham Russon from Cape Town, South Africa
Lovely shot, composition makes this such an interesting shot.
13 Jul 2008 7:54pm
Twelvebit from Victoria, United States
Now this is the kind of portrait I like but it's the kind of image that, taken of my own kids, would have my wife saying something like --but you can't see the face. That's one reason why commercial portraiture doesn't interest me very much. This is the kind of image I'd want to take and I have the feeling it wouldn't be commercial.
14 Jul 2008 4:35pm
@Twelvebit: Thank you, I love these kind of portraits, too.
Before the photo shoot, I discussed some ideas that I had with the mom and this was one of them. She liked the idea and thought it would make for a cool b+w. Originally, this was processed as a b+w, and for giggles thought I'd play around in Lightroom to see what else I could come up with. As a result, I prefer this version over the b+w.
I've seen similar images before and have always loved them, but never had the opportunity to try it myself. There's just something about not being able to see someone's full face. Glad to know I'm not the only one. ;)
paulski from Muncie, IN, United States
very nice image here; i like the vignetting...
14 Jul 2008 5:26pm
danthro from Suburbia, United States
i love what you did with this shot! great crop and processing! like what you did with the shadows too. it's a little harder to see the Melissa-style in the light, but it's still great light. very cool shot!
14 Jul 2008 7:03pm
@danthro: Funny enough, I didn't crop this. When I was talking to the mom beforehand to discuss ideas, this was one of the ideas that popped in my head. She liked the idea and thought it would make for a great b+w. I had seen some images very similar to this and had always loved the idea. I did try a "just the shoulders on down" crop, but it didn't have as much impact as seeing her slight smile.
I originally processed this in b+w, liked the mom and I discussed, and for giggles, thought I'd play around in Lightroom for a more distressed/vintage look. I actually prefer this version over the b+w.
Thanks so much, danthro! :)
Ronnie 2¢ from London, United Kingdom
This is exceptionally good work and very creative. I sympathize with what 12Bit says but I'm sure it would be commercial in the right place.
14 Jul 2008 11:50pm
Melissa from Ogden, United States
Fantastic! Love the process. Great work as always.
16 Jul 2008 3:17am
danthro from Suburbia, United States
neat. i don't need to see the b&w to tell you this version'd be much better! :)
16 Jul 2008 4:28pm
Edward James from Derry, United States
WHAT THE.....
This is insanely good. You don't usually post photos like this. I love it...everything about it.
19 Jul 2008 11:26am
@Edward James: Thanks! Yeah, I've been trying to experiment a bit, trying to be a little more creative. I've seen similar shots like this before and have always loved them, so I wanted to try it myself. :)
Canon EOS 30D
1/8000 second
F/2.8
ISO 200
70 mm