Jo Kelly
June 2020 - Zebra Portrait
About the Image(s)
This round’s discussion is now closed!
19 comments posted
Jo, this is lovely! How were you able to get the black background? Very nice focus and composition. Posted: 06/05/2020 20:26:53
Hi thank you. Have of him was in the shade so that went black quick easily... the rest i painted in... very carefully! Posted: 06/06/2020 02:28:18
I'm so impressed by your steady hand, especially around the mane! Posted: 06/06/2020 10:42:19
I mask so i can sort out the dodgy bits and also select and burn in places.
Posted: 06/06/2020 10:44:23
Posted: 06/06/2020 10:44:23
Great image - with an art deco feel. Love the B&W animal on a black background. And the posture of the head is perfect; almost bowing in respect/greeting.
Would love to see the original image - if it's easy to share. You did a great job isolating the zebra. Can you explain more how that was done? Posted: 06/06/2020 06:43:04
Would love to see the original image - if it's easy to share. You did a great job isolating the zebra. Can you explain more how that was done? Posted: 06/06/2020 06:43:04
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phg8GF1U7TE I watched this.... But didn't it work that well for all of the zebra so i had to paint in some of the remaining black. I also used the burn tool set of shadows. As with a lot of my images I had to start again a number of times to get what I wanted and use different techniques on different bits of the animal. Posted: 06/06/2020 06:52:06
Posted: 06/06/2020 06:53:15
Thank you. I watched the video - and find the original interesting/educational. The door creates lots of options (frame, streaming light) - but those would feel very different from your finished image. I love what you did and will attempt when I have an appropriate image. All the black in the zebra works so well with the black background! Posted: 06/08/2020 03:53:27
A fabulous creation! Your skill in using these digital techniques is apparent and worthy in creating a finished piece of art.
However, as it relates to photographic opportunity, did you not have access to capture this beautiful animal at different angles and locations within the stable, thus capturing a background more satisfying and integral in creating an engaging portrait?
In other words, if I saw the bright open door through my viewfinder it would be obvious this composition would likely not be optimal - and so I would spend time (including re-visiting the space) to capture the subject more satisfying: or was your decision already made from the outset in sculpting a digital-assisted finished piece, and thus the original composition was not of consequence?
"Points to Ponder" for everyone:
These are important concepts we all need to discuss and integral to photographic technique: skills and technique proprietary and hard to master from a traditional posture, as we continue to add more digital tools to our palette. Posted: 06/07/2020 06:23:27
However, as it relates to photographic opportunity, did you not have access to capture this beautiful animal at different angles and locations within the stable, thus capturing a background more satisfying and integral in creating an engaging portrait?
In other words, if I saw the bright open door through my viewfinder it would be obvious this composition would likely not be optimal - and so I would spend time (including re-visiting the space) to capture the subject more satisfying: or was your decision already made from the outset in sculpting a digital-assisted finished piece, and thus the original composition was not of consequence?
"Points to Ponder" for everyone:
These are important concepts we all need to discuss and integral to photographic technique: skills and technique proprietary and hard to master from a traditional posture, as we continue to add more digital tools to our palette. Posted: 06/07/2020 06:23:27
This shot I was just taken at a zoo... i even think it might have been through glass. So there was no movement on different ways to take it.
With my portrait work I normally have an idea of what I am hoping to achieve in regards to lighting colours and look.
I first did this effect with a gorilla and loved the way it looked so look for other pictures to use.
With creative photography I think it is (for me) looking at a normal picture and thinking wonder what it would look like in mono or with the background removed. Then achieving it. Posted: 06/08/2020 02:55:06
With my portrait work I normally have an idea of what I am hoping to achieve in regards to lighting colours and look.
I first did this effect with a gorilla and loved the way it looked so look for other pictures to use.
With creative photography I think it is (for me) looking at a normal picture and thinking wonder what it would look like in mono or with the background removed. Then achieving it. Posted: 06/08/2020 02:55:06
Understood - and very well described, Jo.
Again, you have a fine eye and skill-set for these types of compositions! Posted: 06/08/2020 06:05:09
Again, you have a fine eye and skill-set for these types of compositions! Posted: 06/08/2020 06:05:09
Thank you :) Posted: 06/08/2020 07:11:51
Excellent extraction. I admire your skill. My personal preference is to see the subject anchored to the ground if it is not normally seen in flight. I'd be tempted to try a might tighter crop to focus on the head, shoulders and just a bit of the legs. Posted: 06/09/2020 10:07:42
after a lot of debate... i thought the same
Posted: 06/09/2020 10:30:52
Posted: 06/09/2020 10:30:52
Posted: 06/09/2020 10:32:10
Nope. not a fan of this alternative. But that's me. Posted: 06/18/2020 14:47:34
Yes I prefer that but that's just a personal preference. I'd be curious as to what the rest of the group thinks. Posted: 06/09/2020 11:17:37
An interesting and very good suggestion, Graham, but I do not like the anchored alternative: Jo's original composition, with the extreme black background and vivid black and white striped Zebra sits well floating, as you referred to it, in my opinion. Posted: 06/18/2020 14:46:52
Excellent creative photo! The details are excellent! As mentioned above, I too admire your skill. As far as the crop discussion, I prefer the tighter crop as you provided on 6/9, just my opinion. Posted: 06/20/2020 10:13:46