Manel Puigcerver  


Lady of the forest by Manel Puigcerver

November 2024 - Lady of the forest

November 2024 - Manel Puigcerver

Original

About the Image(s)

Here you have my fourth photo in this group. In this case, it is a nude photo in the forest.
Technically, this pic was taken outdoors, without flashes. For the capture, I used a Fujifilm GFX 100 S camera with a 32-64 GF lens (f 5, 1/80 s and 1600 ISO) without tripod. I used an f aperture higher than I use to do, trying to avoid a high field depth and I chose a place where light was rather homogeneous, without a mixture of high lights and deep shadows.
Regarding my processing flow, I started using Camera Raw noise reduction; then, I used Capture One for general adjustments; next, I used Photoshop to reframe the capture and to selectively apply some Nik Color Efex filters (pro contrast, detail extractor, tonal contrast and paper toner) and used luminosity masks to avoid an excess of bright or too dense shadows and to selectively process by colours (e.g., saturating green area of the photo before converting it in a monochrome version). Moreover, I used dodge and burn technique to enhance lights and shadows where it was needed. Last, I used frequency separation to improve the sharpness of the photo.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
5 comments posted




Wes Odell   Wes Odell
The color of her skin gave you a real challenge, especially the dark sun tan on her arm.
Is that clamp on her right ankle attached to a chain to keep her? Just kidding, but is it necessary?
A beautiful model in a nature scene. I can't think of anything to do to change it.   Posted: 11/18/2024 19:54:07



Stephen Levitas   Stephen Levitas
Wes has a good point about the model's tan. Serious nude models have to cultivate an even skin tone. But I don't find it too much of a problem in this case. I agree with Wes's suggestion that the ankle bracelet does not fit.
I think the pose is good, and the contrast between the model's smooth skin and the rocky setting interesting. Also her hair in disarray fits the scene.
I have not shot nudes, so I do not know the solution to this problem, how to show nipples and pubic region but still arrive at a quality photograph. Perhaps have a look at how Stieglitz and Weston did it.   Posted: 11/19/2024 06:32:09



Tom McCreary   Tom McCreary
You have a very pretty model that is well lighted and in an interesting location. The rock that she is on is a perfect flat, but reclining location. You have very good depth of field with the background nicely blurred. Converting to mono was a very good choice, and well done. I also like your crop. It is a tastefully done nude without revealing what some may say is offensive. As mentioned above, the leg clamp is a distraction. I would not change a thing.   Posted: 11/22/2024 21:59:22



Jennifer Doerrie   Jennifer Doerrie
I like how your conversion to monochrome and other adjustments helped even out the model's skin tone and show more detail on her facial features. I likely would have cropped a little more from the bottom of this image to help draw more attention to the model, but since you mention the forest in your title, it makes sense that you wanted to include more of it. I'd recommend darkening the area just to the right above her head a little more, as the bright area there keeps tempting me to look in that direction.   Posted: 11/25/2024 05:27:00



Manel Puigcerver   Manel Puigcerver
Thank you all for your kind conmments and suggetions. Currently I'm a bit stressed preparing an exhibition, so I beg your pardon for not replying you individually.   Posted: 11/28/2024 09:07:34