Brenda Fishbaugh, QPSA  


Water ballet by Brenda Fishbaugh, QPSA

September 2021 - Water ballet

September 2021 - Brenda Fishbaugh, QPSA

Original

About the Image(s)

I have avoided photographing people, so I took a workshop in Michigan. Not very helpful, but I have to start somewhere.

Canon 5D Mark IV, Canon 28-105mm handheld
ISO 320 91mm focal length f/8 1/800 sec

One of the models was posing in Lake Michigan and lost her balance and fell in. She started jumping and twirling in the water with her soaked hair and tie dye outfit (horrible colors to work with in color).

I decided to try this as monochrome to lose the dress colors, and a bit on the high-key side to show the "lightness" and "sunny-ness" of the sunset. When I went darker, her dark dress blended with the darker wavers.

I used Adobe Portrait in Lightroom as a starting point, and used NIK's newest version of SIlver Efx Pro 3 for the monochrome.

Her thigh was a little big at this angle and her nether regions were showing with the leg lift, so I used Liquify in Photoshop to thin her thigh and then move her dress over her thigh to be a little less porn-like.

Open to any ideas. And would love a title.


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




 
I really like the treatment of this image Brenda. A really nice ice shot!
I would suggest a crop that would ground your model a little more. Meaning, less underneath the model and a few more waves above? You could also add a little more to the left hand side to balance the shot.
You might also consider a little more blacks to accentuate your the model. (matter of taste) She is just that tiny bit 'grey'.   Posted: 09/01/2021 07:19:01
Brenda Fishbaugh   Brenda Fishbaugh
Helen, thanks for all your insights. Do you like the direction I went, or going away from your vision? Much appreciated.   Posted: 09/21/2021 18:47:59



 
When I first saw this image, I thought, "Oooo, that Brenda is enjoying her time in Florida and getting to do some model photography by the warm sea."

Then I saw that this was Lake Michigan and that made me giggle because I'm thinking it is probably not quite as warm and enjoyable for the model!

Still, the sandy beach and waves give a similar effect.

I like her tie-dyed dress. It goes with her funky blue hair and pixie like pose. I tried to do something with the color version and find that cranking up the exposure and adding (or rather sliding slider to the left) dehaze gives it a dreamy high-key kind of look. This is a quick edit but you could probably do more or even try an Orton Effect for a more creative interpretation.

*edit* I also like that bit of reflection at the bottom and tried to work that into the composition   Posted: 09/01/2021 16:48:12
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Brenda Fishbaugh   Brenda Fishbaugh
Jason, thanks so much! Sooo funny about me in the water in Florida! I've added a color version below and I went with a similar crop to yours and Terry's. Feedback most welcome on the color and b/w I added.   Posted: 09/21/2021 18:52:28



Mitch Ross   Mitch Ross
Great shot Brenda. Personally, I like the monochrome approach. Have never used liquify (another item for me to go and explore!). No specific suggestions other than maybe to alter the crop over to the left a little (more space on left, less on right). The model's looking off to that side, and it seems to throw the balance a little, though she's centered in the image. Great work :)   Posted: 09/01/2021 22:06:52
Brenda Fishbaugh   Brenda Fishbaugh
Hi Mitch, I took your crop suggestion, take a look at the mon and color versions I added below. Watch a You Tube on Liquify, its the most fun filter! You can Bloat to make something bigger (geat for eyes), you can pucker to bring in something like the model's thigh or belly, and you can move stuff, like bring her dress down. Great fun!   Posted: 09/21/2021 18:57:32



Terry Walters   Terry Walters
Lets start with this is an excellent image that has real potential as there is a story behind it.

I'm with Helen that it could be grounded better but with a bit more at the bottom (excuse the pun) as per Jason's version. I'm also agree with Jason that the colour image is more powerful then the mono version.

I would never change the shape of a model without her permission, it may affect how her portfolio looks if one image has thinner thighs than all the rest. I also don't feel the original thigh is too big, it shows that some models can be more rounded than twig like.

Looking at the original I can see nothing showing that would not be acceptable in any newspaper/facebook/club competition in the UK, and as I used to shoot a lot of nudes this is pretty tame. Presumably she was wearing underwear, or a costume, so expected her form to be on display, plus using the nearest leg to cross over the other ensures nothing is displayed that wasn't intended.

Taking Mitch's comments about balance that a bit more on the left compared to the right would work better, so this is my attempt using Levels and then Topaz Adjust.

As for title I would avoid the word Ballet as this is more dance than ballet, so how about 'Stepping Out'
  Posted: 09/05/2021 10:11:46
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Brenda Fishbaugh   Brenda Fishbaugh
Hi Terry, thanks for the great feedback. I left her thigh and skirt alone in my two renditions today. I went with a crop similar to yours and went with a high key look. Better? Worse? Always appreciate your insights!   Posted: 09/21/2021 19:00:28



Sunil Mehta   Sunil Mehta
Good picture Brenda,
Liked the post processing, monochrome looks good.   Posted: 09/05/2021 15:34:20
Brenda Fishbaugh   Brenda Fishbaugh
Sunil, As an expert on monochrome, you saying it looks good makes me very, very happy! Do you like my second monochrome rendition posted below? I always appreciate your thoughts.   Posted: 09/21/2021 19:02:58
Sunil Mehta   Sunil Mehta
Image posted before is with more tonal range than the one you posted now and also details in highlights are lost.
I liked the first monochrome.
  Posted: 09/22/2021 22:11:12



Jim Hagan   Jim Hagan
I think your converted image is excellent and would not change a thing. The composition, the shades of mono, and the artistic style of the model all work together. I very much prefer the mono. Title? How about The Joy of Dancing.   Posted: 09/20/2021 18:27:15
Brenda Fishbaugh   Brenda Fishbaugh
Ohhh, so excited you like it "as is". That's a big compliment, coming from you! I did redo the image using the group's advice. Do you think I've improved or regressed? Thanks for my new title!   Posted: 09/21/2021 19:04:29



Brenda Fishbaugh   Brenda Fishbaugh
Thanks for all the great feedback! I went with Jason's and Terry's longer beach look with reflection, and Helen's grounding idea (with more beach), and trimmed more off the right. You'll see I went with the lighter "Jason" look. Feedback? You'll see a color version below also. Definitely keeping "Joy of Dancing" title from Jim. Thanks so much, everyone!   Posted: 09/21/2021 18:43:18
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Terry Walters   Terry Walters
Sunil is right about the lost detail in this version, I prefer the original toning too.
  Posted: 09/23/2021 06:46:49



Brenda Fishbaugh   Brenda Fishbaugh
Here's my color rendition, since both Terry and Jason suggested it. Am I heading in the right direction?   Posted: 09/21/2021 18:46:12
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Terry Walters   Terry Walters
Looking good to me, the colours look more natural than my version, and the space and shape look excellent. I still prefer the colour to the monochrome version.
  Posted: 09/23/2021 06:48:27
Jim Hagan   Jim Hagan
I think your color revision is great but I still prefer the mono. There is one white water spot on her knee - very minor nit but why not get rid of it.
  Posted: 09/23/2021 08:26:43