Chris Dodkin
West Coast Correspondent
This B&W shot was released today - another image by Diana's favorite photographer, Mario Testino.
So, what do you think of the Royal B&W portrait?
- Thread starter Chris Dodkin
- Start date
Chris Dodkin
West Coast Correspondent
I actually like it - it's so much better than the previous colour shot(s) released at the engagement.
Has a nice contemporary style, very relaxed - although the grins are a little cheesy if I'm being picky
Nice focus on Kate's eyes.
Has a nice contemporary style, very relaxed - although the grins are a little cheesy if I'm being picky
Nice focus on Kate's eyes.
Pete Askew
Admin
As you say, cheesy grins and I don't like the harsh eyebrows too much. And why can't photographers learn to hold a camera straight!!
Chris Dodkin
West Coast Correspondent
I always thought there was something very odd about the engagement shot...
Like it has been 'saved' in photoshop or something - it just doesn't look 'real'
And don't even get me started on the composition!!!
Like it has been 'saved' in photoshop or something - it just doesn't look 'real'
And don't even get me started on the composition!!!
Last edited:
Pete Askew
Admin
OK, dull composition and too much chandalier. But you are right, that background is out of focus 'cos of PP not because the photohrapher knew what they were doing. Look at the degree of blur in the carpet and the background! It could almost be a cut and paste job!
Chris Dodkin
West Coast Correspondent
Pete - I think you might be onto something - looks very cut and paste to me
Especially the lines around his arm, shoulder and head
Especially the lines around his arm, shoulder and head
Pete Askew
Admin
Or just clumsy masking. Either way, very dependent on PP. Who took it?
Chris Dodkin
West Coast Correspondent
Supposed to be Testino again
Pete Askew
Admin
Well, just goes to show. Horses for courses. What works on the cover of Vogue...!
Hamish, it might not be too late. Get out your Tux!!
Hamish, it might not be too late. Get out your Tux!!
Hamish Gill
Tech Support (and Marketing)
Too much teeth!
Is a nice shot though I think ... If a bit obvious...
The one in the room is a bit pants, although I can see the point ...
Both images are about marketing if you ask me ...
The first one, smart dress, central position in the compo, posh backdrop... Formal announcement, break the ice on the subject with something traditionally royal to get the royalists on board!
The more recent photo is about mass appeal, showing them as normal people ... Shot in a style that is very familiar and very popular thanks to venture ... It's even shot at a jaunty angle ...
Just PR stuff ... Neither photo would catch my eye out side of the circumstances ... And they are circumstances I really don't give a monkeys chuff about ... I've never met either of them ...
Yeh, I'd do thier wedding shots ... £600 is my base rate, but I'd hope to upsell them at least one coffee table book!
Is a nice shot though I think ... If a bit obvious...
The one in the room is a bit pants, although I can see the point ...
Both images are about marketing if you ask me ...
The first one, smart dress, central position in the compo, posh backdrop... Formal announcement, break the ice on the subject with something traditionally royal to get the royalists on board!
The more recent photo is about mass appeal, showing them as normal people ... Shot in a style that is very familiar and very popular thanks to venture ... It's even shot at a jaunty angle ...
Just PR stuff ... Neither photo would catch my eye out side of the circumstances ... And they are circumstances I really don't give a monkeys chuff about ... I've never met either of them ...
Yeh, I'd do thier wedding shots ... £600 is my base rate, but I'd hope to upsell them at least one coffee table book!
Hamish Gill
Tech Support (and Marketing)
Oh, and I'll stretch to wearing my suit trousers, but if they want me to wear my suit, it'll need dry cleaning first
Chris Dodkin
West Coast Correspondent
Hamish, reckon the Queen would go for a coffee table book and some 7x5s - maybe a 10x8 for the hall.
Pete Askew
Admin
She'd probably go for a coffee table as well to put it on!
Hamish Gill
Tech Support (and Marketing)
Thing is though, they would want all the posed and staged stuff which isn't really my bag ... I can't see they will have any need for a reportage style wedding photographer ... What with there probably being a good few 100,000 people there who will no doubt all have cameras ...
Nah, I'll skip... Shame ... Especially with the prospect of a 10x8 print ... That's at least £3 profit I've missed out on there!
Nah, I'll skip... Shame ... Especially with the prospect of a 10x8 print ... That's at least £3 profit I've missed out on there!
Hamish Gill
Tech Support (and Marketing)
Don't sell coffee tables Pete, I'm a Pho-tog-ra-pher ... You need a Cab-in-et ma-ker for that ... Here is some reading that should help you identify some of the key differences
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabinet_making
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photographer
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabinet_making
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photographer
Pete Askew
Admin
Damn! That's where I've been going wrong!! Right, I'm off to sharpen a couple of chisels, I've got some pictures to shoot later and I want to make sure they are properly in focus. 
Paul Lange
Moderator
I don't really like either shot TBH. They seem like the sort of stuff I aspire not to have my photo's look like. Hamish is a fine one to talk, he usually fixes his hifi with a penknife and a crowbar, probably uses his camera as a hammer too.
Pete Askew
Admin
So that's how he gets his soft focus look!
Tim Pindar
Well-Known Member
Reminds me of this one of mine:
Chris Dodkin
West Coast Correspondent
Tim - you were robbed, reckon you should be suing Testino - he's worth a few quid! LOL
