New shot with nikon d300

[GARYHINDS]

comment welcome


thanks

gary

[RSStory]

Great colors... Couple small things, under her arm there is a strap or tag showing. Quick fix there but it caught me eye. Also some will mention the 2 catch lights in her left eye. It doesnt bother me too much but I always am getting called on that one. And I think her skin looks a little over worked. Maybe it is just because of the size of the file or something though.

Great shot. I bet you are loving that camera.

Scott

[Stecyk]

Originally Posted by RSStory

Also some will mention the 2 catch lights in her left eye. It doesnt bother me too much but I always am getting called on that one.

Why is that an issue? I often see two catchlights when viewing G1 photographs. This is not meant to be argumentative. Rather, I am curious. I never realized it was a concern before.

[RSStory]

I dont really know why it is a problem to be honest. In most cases it doesnt bother me at all. I just know that people mention it to me about shots that I do fairly often. I am trying to notice it more now because of that.

[Stecyk]

Originally Posted by RSStory

I dont really know why it is a problem to be honest. In most cases it doesnt bother me at all. I just know that people mention it to me about shots that I do faily often. I am trying to notice it more now because of that.

I wonder if it is rooted in a belief that there should only be one noticeable light source--that is, there is only one sun.

[PhotosbyChuck]

Originally Posted by Stecyk

I wonder if it is rooted in a belief that there should only be one noticeable light source--that is, there is only one sun.

Print judges used to look for only a single catchlight in competitions. I believe current rules state the ideal portraiture is a catchlight in the upper right or left of the eye and a small crescent shaped catchlight on the opposite diagonal. So in other words, TWO catchlights is ideal for current print competitions. The people calling foul on a single catchlight are following old rules.

So the OP and Scott....two is better than one. Tell the single catchlight folks to update their looks! But the shape and relative size of the catchlights is important for the highest technical merit score.

[RSStory]

Cool.. Good to know. Next time I will just tell them to bite me then...LOL

[Stecyk]

Originally Posted by PhotosbyChuck

Print judges used to look for only a single catchlight in competitions. I believe current rules state the ideal portraiture is a catchlight in the upper right or left of the eye and a small crescent shaped catchlight on the opposite diagonal. So in other words, TWO catchlights is ideal for current print competitions. The people calling foul on a single catchlight are following old rules.

So the OP and Scott....two is better than one. Tell the single catchlight folks to update their looks! But the shape and relative size of the catchlights is important for the highest technical merit score.

Interesting, I just finished reading Portrait in Light and Shadow: The Life of Yousuf Karsh by Maria Tippett (Amazon Sponsored Link). John Garo, Yousuf Karsh's early Boston based mentor, encouraged young Yousuf not to emulate his style, but rather find his own canvass.

Would these same esteemed judges find fault with Karsh's photographs because they didn't conform to their standards?

Does following standards simply ensure mediocrity?

Of course, reckless departure from established principles yields to big messes. I've seen many examples of that from many of us amateur (and some pros) who post on the internut. But as to whether one or two catchlights are present seems more a personal style or choice as opposed to right and wrong.

I believe current rules state the ideal portraiture is a catchlight in the upper right or left of the eye and a small crescent shaped catchlight on the opposite diagonal.

Does that imply one light source above and one light source below? Or put differently, how does one achieve a catchlight in the upper right and a smaller crescent shaped catchlight in the opposite diagonal?

[PhotosbyChuck]

Originally Posted by Stecyk

Would these same esteemed judges find fault with Karsh's photographs because they didn't conform to their standards?

Probably -- but only if they didn't know it was Karsh's work! Photos for competition follow strict rules for scoring -- while the artistic value is part of the score, the technical portion of the card can kill an art shot.

Originally Posted by Stecyk

Does following standards simply ensure mediocrity?

That's a good question. I don't think it encourages mediocrity so much as it perhaps encourages conformity and over-emphasizes technical aspects.

Originally Posted by Stecyk

Does that imply one light source above and one light source below? Or put differently, how does one achieve a catchlight in the upper right and a smaller crescent shaped catchlight in the opposite diagonal?

It implies 2 sources or a single source above with a reflector below. Or, at least some Photoshop work after the fact! (Most competitions allow editing in special categories).

[Stecyk]

Thank you for your detailed responses.