Diana Magor, MPSA, APSA  


Checking the time by Diana Magor, MPSA, APSA

August 2022 - Checking the time

August 2022 - Diana Magor, MPSA, APSA

Original

About the Image(s)

Taken at a steam punk event at Ironbridge Gorge Victorian village. People from all over Britain converge on these events just to wander round in their costumes and meet like minded friends. This was on one of our hottest days so everyone was heading for the shady spots, especially those who were wearing fur coats or heavy black outfits. Steam punk is a cross between fantasy and Sci-fi so it's a bit weird. I ended up with photos of people with heavy shadows across their faces when they were in the sun, or overlit ones where I used a bit of fillin flash in the sunny ones. I decided this needed to have a slight sepia tint in the mono. I liked the pose but was less happy with the fence posts behind them. I have darkened them by selecting the background and then I used the burn tool where some were still too bright. I cloned out bits poking up from his hat, but actually this only took about 10 minutes.


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




Stephen Levitas   Stephen Levitas
This is a fun image. I am quite familiar with steampunk, but can't say I understand its excitement.
I like their "six eyes": two natural, two spectacles, and two on the hats.
Compositionally, I think it would be nice to lose the bag between the left man's legs.   Posted: 08/07/2022 17:25:36



It suits the black and white and agree with Stephen on the bag in the image.
  Posted: 08/15/2022 17:47:06
Diana Magor   Diana Magor
Have you any suggestions as to how I can lose the bag? I tried cloning over it and it looked awful. I tried cropping above it but that cut through their knees and I tried darkening which just seemed to make it more obvious!   Posted: 08/16/2022 03:52:43
I think it would be hard to clone out. You could try making it more steam punk and add in an old wheel just over the bag and maybe add one in near the fence to even it out a bit?   Posted: 08/17/2022 01:33:38
Very quick edit to give you an idea.   Posted: 08/17/2022 01:42:00
Comment Image
Diana Magor   Diana Magor
That's a brilliant idea. I shall search my back catalogue for a large time piece of suitable age and insert it. Big thank you!   Posted: 08/17/2022 03:36:38
Glad that I could help :)   Posted: 08/17/2022 03:38:53



Tom McCreary   Tom McCreary
Interesting photo, and I agree with going to monochrome as the bright colors distract from the story. I don't understand steampunk, as they seem to be dressed in old time outfits, but the steampunk additions while they may be old time objects, they are not used like they would have been. You have good posing, and they are interacting by both checking their watches. The hands of the man on the right first catch your interest, but then there is a lot going on in the photo, that keeps interest as the eye wanders around. The bag really doesn't bother me, and would not have been noticed if Stephen had not pointed it out.   Posted: 08/16/2022 10:32:35



 
I like the six eyes as well, but the backpack between the man's legs bothers me. The only way I can imagine getting rid of the bag would be to use content-aware-fill in photoshop, then make some local adjustments. I'm not even sure that would work well. The fence in the background seems to coordinate with a multitude of time periods so I actually like it, and your choice of sepia is good. It's an interesting image that keeps the eye entertained.   Posted: 08/16/2022 16:52:45



Wes Odell   Wes Odell
I like it.
And, pls accept my apology for being so tardy this month.
w
  Posted: 08/16/2022 17:14:52



Jennifer Doerrie   Jennifer Doerrie
Your models and their outfits are interesting. Like you, I'm finding the fence somewhat distracting, although I believe that may be because the bright shrubbery behind it is drawing my attention away from the subjects. However, darkening the background doesn't really work with the hats, does it? I realize completely replacing the background requires a lot of effort, but a factory or even whimsical wall of time pieces might be effective.

  Posted: 08/21/2022 23:43:40
Diana Magor   Diana Magor
I have tried darkening each fence post and that helps. I've also introduced a large time piece as Kym suggested and I've sent it to another group in GB which provides marks for prints and I'll await their generosity or otherwise. I'll also try a different background but I do find choosing something suitable is hard. Thanks.   Posted: 08/22/2022 03:56:03