Yeah I had 2 versions up on my monitor (buy switching between Positive and Kodachrome on the Nikon Coolscan) so one was cooler looking (this one) and one was much warmer looking (the one that's not seen) I liked how it tweaked the skin tone to slightly purple or cold but maybe the other one was the way to go. Good observation. I think the pose is Important and it works here as you said.Thanks Paul, Mark
I really have to agree with Hugo, The post processing here is not really great, the lack of detail in the shadowed areas is wasted space as there is no detail at all, The dark areas such as under the hairline the dress etc.. are so dark they look painted on and flat, Dark Attire is the hardest to achive good subtile changes with as there is such a difference from the skin tone to the black dress, I can only suggest that you shoot these to the right maybe a 3rd, as I believe when you are trying to lighten them up you are getting noise, better to overexpose a half stop and darken where needed then underexpose and try to lighting up... All my best.. Marcus.
"Very slight PS used"... Surely an understatement? To me, this doesn't really work, it renders the expression rather lifeless, dull and emotionless. The black dress is rendered into a solid, rather flat area, and I miss the appeal of subtle changes in (skin-) tones. Obviously a beautiful model, and it looks like a good photo to start with, but to me, it is just way overdone in PS; an effective way to kill a perfectly good photo.
I'd rather go for the post processing you demonstrate in "Soft Stare", that's way more subtle and refined, IMO.
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