• Members 413 posts
    Dec. 14, 2024, 7:27 p.m.

    Three generations and the help of an unexpected ray of sunshine…

    IMG_9491.jpeg

    IMG_9491.jpeg

    JPG, 1.4 MB, uploaded by doctor on Dec. 14, 2024.

  • Members 1517 posts
    Dec. 14, 2024, 8:26 p.m.

    The positioning of the three women and the shop window is beautifully handled. The diagonal down along the heads links to the widow corner and a grouping within the window that echoes the right hand group and the rugged up clothing. Three generations out together with the eldest - closest and largest, looking across with a gaze that takes in the other two- great.
    The problem is that the ray of light on the middle figure, appears artificial. Having looked closely for clues in the image, I'm convinced it is genuine, it just looks artificial. It hs also picked out the wrong person. We need a little more light on the face on the right. It's her gaze that unifies the three. There's just enough light on the youngest face and the light on her is coming from the right direction to help unify the three. The bright edge of outlining the hair on the woman on the right is consistent with a real beam. I'd be inclined to do a small amount of PP. Reduce the brightness on the woman in the centre a little and very carefully raise the shadows in the woman on the right. Not much. The aim would be to take some of the concentration off the woman in the centre and transfer a bit more to the woman on the right, so doing a little more to connect the group. The choice of a white coat by the centre figure also pops her a little too much. I like the dark tones of the street and window, they convey plenty about the time of year and location so I wouldn't want to raise the shadows overall.
    Everything I have said depends on what the photographer wants to convey. If the centre figure is the subject it's fine as is. My interpretation and suggestions are on the basis of putting more emphasis on the group.

  • Members 413 posts
    Dec. 14, 2024, 9:41 p.m.

    Hi Mike, thank you very much for your complete analysis. This is a crop of the unprocessed raw:

    IMG_9492.jpeg

    You can see the real lighting in the scene: i was shocked shortly after seeing the image on the camera screen, because it was not appreciated before the moment of the shot and she entered the light at that precise instant. I'm afraid that with that ray of light, and with the eye contact, Blanca has anyway "kidnapped" the entire scene.
    I have uploaded a version with a touch of light on Clara's face, but I prefer to keep the original lighting and leave Blanca with her clarity...

    IMG_9492.jpeg

    JPG, 1.8 MB, uploaded by doctor on Dec. 14, 2024.

  • Members 682 posts
    Dec. 16, 2024, 2:47 a.m.

    This, quite literally, looks like a frame from a movie.