sharpened, levels, curves, hue/saturation, contrast. USM, gradient background, spotlight filter, sharpened, minor healing on face, saved for web.
Disqualification Details
While cloning, dodging, burning, etc is permitted, wsing any editing tools to duplicate, create, or move major elements of your photograph is not permitted. Addition of spolight is major element.
I think you've already identified the main issues with what you've said in the thread but here goes:
Composition Nice to be offcenter, looking back across to the viewer.
Technical stuff (exposure, dof, lighting etcâ€Â¦) Focus seems a tad soft on the face, but this may be just something to do with the lighting, because if you look along the same plane focus seems ok (ie on back, dress), and shutterspeed wasnt slow enough for blur.
You're already aware of the blownout highlights, must have been difficult lighting to work with. This brings it down a lot, in terms of what I (or others I suspect) would have voted it.
Meeting the challenge Definitely, a lot of people chose that lyric, although I think I personally would have preferred a less posed photo for the quote, but then again I'm too young to really know the songs well so that may just be me.
Post-processing You've done as well as you could have to rescue the highlights, but sometimes you just need to get it right (with luck) in-camera. I think the spotlight works to give interest (ignoring the rules here)
My personal opinion A nice picture for her to keep, but the blownoutness ruins it in a dpc context. Sorry about the DQ though, its easy to misunderstand the rules as they are now, but at least now you know and won't do it again
Composition/subject I like the way you have her positioned in the frame, and the looking over the shoulder angle that you chose. She also happens to be very pretty!
Technical The spotlight effect, while illegal for DPC, does add interest to this, but I think I'd like to see the original without it. It appears the background color is a bit dull - maybe work with the original with curves and levels, maybe even a bit of color shift, to make the background a bit more appealing color. The lighting seems a bit harsh on her arm, but not sure if that's in the original or an effect of the filter.
Meets challenge Definitely met the challenge - the line you chose fits perfectly!
My opinion I like the shot as far as the pose and the placement in the frame quite a bit.
The background would have been very plain without the spotlight, so I see why you wanted to add it. She doesn't look really happy - perhaps intentional, that's fine - and the light is glaring a little bit on her forehead. I DO really like the non-traditionaly prom pose. Sorry for the DQ :)
Trading Post -
I voted late on this challenge so I never saw this shot. I will leave the spotlight issue alone. Overall the focus is a bit too soft. Her arm is blown out pretty bad and the lighting on her face seems a bit harsh. She seems a bit off centered but not quite enough. She looks a bit angry, like I wouldnt want to cross her at that moment. I probably would have scored this a 5 if I had the chance. I hope this didnt com e off too harsh - just my lowly opinion.
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