Rita Johnston
May 2025 - Musical Mask
Original
About the Image(s)
Here is the May photo titled “Musical Mask.”
I took this photo in New Orleans in April, where they have several mask shops. This was taken outside looking into the display window to capture the image. The data on it: Exposure 1/500, F2.8, spot metered, and taken with a Sony RX10iv, 2.4 - 4.0. The original photo (provided) had a reflection of the trees in the window and photo. I liked it, but the more I processed it, I just took out the tree reflection. Processing the photo included a lot on this one. I adjusted the photo in PS with ACR on the light and colors. In Nik Color Effects Pro I added contrast and brilliance and warmth, lightened the center, added a vignette, denoised it, and finally cloned the top of the photo with the mask from the lower part. I saturated the red lips and gold in the mask a lot. Any suggestions of how it can be improved? All appreciated! Also would this photo do well in a contest in the still life category or a PSA contest in large or small color? What would make it a winner? I wonder if someone created this elaborate musical note mask for someone to select and wear, or was it made to be a hung on a wall?
Rita
3 comments posted
It was a good decision to eliminate the reflection and zero in on the mask itself. I can see why it caught your eye; the image is striking. Like you, I prefer the warmed-up version to the original, which was white in color.
Did you try using AI to complete the top of the hat and then add a a little air space above that? Since the mask is the sole focus, it might be best not to cut off the top. Personally, I would also use AI to eliminate the ribbon of curtain and little segment of window sill on the right. Hopefully, it would replace it with wall.
The dictionary defines a still life as a collection of items, and the mask is a single item. You should read what is acceptable for the category of still life in whichever competition you are thinking of entering. That will be the best guide to what is acceptable and what is not. Posted: 05/07/2025 01:15:58
I agree with Dean about pulling in more to the face. I love what the creator did with the music. I think, as Diana said, that some research needs to be done re eligibility for competition since it is someone else's work. Your editing made many positive changes but did not change it enough to make it yours.
Posted: 05/09/2025 15:31:46