colorized and not

[automaton2]

[Marko]

Ok automaton2 - here goes. With brutal honesty as always.

Shot 1 - is my least favourite by far. The pink colouring on her face makes this cute girl look like she has blotchy skin. Completely UNflattering.

Shot 2 - of the (punker) is a FANTASTIC shot IMO. The colouring works here. It gives it an edge that adds to the subject's personality.

Shot 3 - also a nice shot but I wonder if it really needs the colouring. If this were my shot, I might try it without the colouring at all. OR I might try it with the colouring you have on the girl and get rid of the colouring on the guy. The lighting is nice here. It is much softer than shot 4.

Shot 4 - This is not a flattering portrait. The lighting is way too harsh. It looks to me like this is direct on camera flash which is rarely flattering unless the subject is a natural model with good make-up. I would experiment with SOFTER lighting. If you'd like, it would be my pleasure to write up an article and discuss it. (Just in case you are not familiar with it)

In general I'd say that you should use the colouring technique ONLY when it adds a 'rougher flavour' to the shot. I would avoid it completely for general portraits as it never flatters the model. For general portraits I'd use soft light as a rule - UNLESS you deliberately want harsh lighting for an effect (and the model can take it).

Again I hope this critique helps,

Marko
ADMIN

[Faber]

I think the Admin is bang on here with his critique. In this series I only like number 2 which is the rough looking guy. That shot works very well.

Faber