My Muse

[Rachel Foster]

Recent portrait.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x153/annieblues/Portfolio/Portfolio%20Portraits/por041.jpg

[Asher Kelman]

Hi Rachel,

Hi! What a wonderful child! How old is she? You are lucky he doesn't rebel! I have ideas on how you have prepared this image for showing. Is the above your particular interpretation or are you open to other ideas to optimize the image for others to view. I don't want to encroach your special view! Let me know!

Thanks for sharing!

Asher

[Rachel Foster]

Thank you, Asher! I'd love to hear your thoughts.

She is seven, and quite tired of posing for me. Before I took up photography, she never saw a camera she didn't like. Now, it's "Oh Mom! Do I have to?"

I'm very interested in ideas to prepare this and other photos. I heard today from the art director at our local community art gallery. I'm meeting with her on Friday morning to discuss possibly offering some of my photos for sale. (She's seen some of my work.) This gallery offers art classes to both children and adults. It's my dream to take any proceeds and pay tuition to an art class/classes for a child from a family who otherwise couldn't afford it.

Again, suggestions are welcome. I'm working on mastering the magnetic lasso in photoshop!

[Asher Kelman]

O.K., I'll work on a version I think you might like. Meanwhile, how about changing that file to 700 dpi instead of 1050 so we don't end up with a too heavy thread.

I question the current tonality as presented, but the file itself is very good. what did you do im processing. What did you change in RAW?

I do like the negative space.

Asher

[Kathy Rappaport]

Love the light, love the composition, the skin tone...Bravo...

And for a seven year old be glad she doesn't smile with what I call the Teeth Smile....

[Asher Kelman]

Hi Rachel,

Here is your portrait, original girl and then my processed version to right.

http://www.openphotographyforums.com/2007_OPF_AK/Rachel_Foster/Girl_por041.jpg http://www.openphotographyforums.com/2007_OPF_AK/Rachel_Foster/por041_700 girl_AK2.jpg

© 2007 Rachel Foster

I have tried to bring out more enquiring wonder in her face, working on various parts of her gentle face.

I hope my Mac 17" screen guided me right. I still have to check on my Eizo!

Asher

[Rachel Foster]

Thanks, Asher....that's a different look, no question.

[Asher Kelman]

and then Rachel, what might it mean? Does it relate to her, to you? Would she like it?

Feel free to critique my work on your own picture! Your feelings and thoughts!

Asher

[Greg Rogers]

Hmmm....I'm having a difficult time seeing what you did there, Asher...aside from lightening it up a bit. Actually, Rachel's version looks better on my screen. I gotta be missing something here!
-Greg
Edit: Ahah...now I see you've sharpened her eyes just a tad, and her lips maybe a tad more. Missed it on first two looks.....too hung up on Rachel's "darker" version looking better to me. :) Basic portrait editing technique, I do it all the time, and I missed it. <blush> Perhaps more I've not found yet!

[Greg Rogers]

Rachel,
In obsessing over trying to figure out what Asher had done, I totally forgot to mention how much I like this portrait. This is the type of thing us borderline OCD folks do, eh? ;-)

Nice work!
-Greg

[Asher Kelman]

Hmmm....I'm having a difficult time seeing what you did there, Asher...aside from lightening it up a bit. Actually, Rachel's version looks better on my screen. I gotta be missing something here!
-Greg
Edit: Ahah...now I see you've sharpened her eyes just a tad, and her lips maybe a tad more. Missed it on first two looks.....too hung up on Rachel's "darker" version looking better to me. :) Basic portrait editing technique, I do it all the time, and I missed it. <blush> Perhaps more I've not found yet!
Greg,

I work on each part of the face separately so I can give just a little effect and adjust to get the feeling I want.

Asher

[Greg Rogers]

Hi Asher,
Yes, now that it's morning and I'm not in the middle of a minor diverticulitis episode at 3:00 AM, I can see more of what you've done. :)

My vote would be to combine the detail work Asher has done on Rachel's lovely young "model" with Rachel's slightly darker rendition.
-Greg

[Rachel Foster]

I'm very envious of your photoshopping skills, Asher. I've been studying it and the sharper eyes is a nice improvement. I think I prefer a bit more contrast but my monitor is not calibrated so I'm hesitant to say.

The local community art gallery would like to "handle" me as an artist...I'm very excited. I've earmarked profits to pay for art classes they teach children to area kids who couldn't otherwise afford it.

You know...it doesn't get any better. I'm able to do what I love and area kids will benefit. And this serves as a huge incentive to improve...A WHOLE BUNCH. The better I get, the more kids get classes.......yeah!