Critique Welcomed Calamity Jane

[Chris Dodkin]

With the recent release of Adobe's ACR update for the X-Pro1, I've been revisiting the RAW files I've shot on the Fuji from the get-go.

The new RAW processing in Photoshop, combined with Nik Silver FX, has really opened up new possibilities with these files, and I'm slowly building out a new workflow to get the most out of them.

Here's a good example, shot at a local Western parade in San Juan Capistrano back in March - the portrait is a crop of approx 2/3 of the frame, taken with the 60mm lens - f/2.8

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Love the detail in that hat. Really nice. What beautiful eyes she has! A decent photographer took this shot...

 

[Hamish Gill]

Terrific detail!
I find the sheen on her lips a touch distracting, but it's a minor quibble

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Terrific detail!
I find the sheen on her lips a touch distracting, but it's a minor quibble

Thanks Hamish - I looked at her lipstick, and she didn't put it on well - wonder if I should re-apply in Photoshop!

 

[Lesley Jones]

I'm so pleased you now have the tools to help you with the work flow. I really love this image. There is so much detail and yet the skin isn't unflattering for a lady of her age. The focus and DOF are spot on and her expression is simply perfect

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Thanks Lesley - you bring up a very good point around the skin detail - I backed off of my usual Nik profiles and went with a softer approach for this very reason - otherwise there was far too much unflattering detail in the face.

Great for a crusty old sea dog shot, but not so nice for a female portrait!

Still not sure about the square crop - but Pete has me in some sort of square mind meld, and I keep on cropping square at the moment

 

[Pete Askew]

Lovely detail Chris. I see what you mean about the square crop; it's just not quite right is it somehow. And I agree with the lips. I too would try to do something about them in PS. The eyes and skin are wonderful though.