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Natural Woman
2nd PlaceNatural Woman
Rodert


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Female Portrait II (Expert Editing)
Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: Carl Zeiss 85mm ZF f/1.4 Planar T
Date: Aug 28, 2011
Aperture: f/2
ISO: 400
Shutter: 1/80
Date Uploaded: Aug 31, 2011

 Thank you all for the votes and comments!
This is my first ribbon so I am proud to be able to share it with gfied as my model, makeup artist and art director.

My goal for this challenge was to enter a solid photo that used "basic editing" to test the theory that a well made photo can just as well compete against a technically manipulated photo. Not to say that one way is better than another but rather to prove that we are only limited by our imagination.

Setup: The lighting setup was a large 5' softbox acting as the white backdrop and then a beauty dish from camera upper left as the key and a hairdryer that the model was holding to create movement in her hair. Not to be entirely misleading (because she is a natural beauty) but gosia did apply some makeup to help make her skin and features that much more perfect and (ironically) natural looking.

Editing: Comes down to very basic removal of a small group of stray hairs, curves adjustment and "-14" clarity. The rest of the out of focus area comes from the natural lens bokeh from shooting at f/1.4.

Statistics
Place: 2 out of 49
Avg (all users): 7.4407
Avg (commenters): 8.6667
Avg (participants): 6.5926
Avg (non-participants): 7.5933
Views since voting: 8356
Views during voting: 457
Votes: 177
Comments: 49
Favorites: 14 (view)

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AuthorThread
 09/15/2011 07:24:58 PM
great photo of a stunningly natural woman! :O)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/15/2011 05:04:39 PM
Originally posted by alanfreed:
Every time I see the thumbnail, I think this is Jennifer Anniston :)


This model is WAY more beautiful than Jennifer Anniston.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/14/2011 01:42:03 PM
Every time I see the thumbnail, I think this is Jennifer Anniston :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/14/2011 11:18:15 AM
Beautiful woman, beautiful photo!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/12/2011 04:23:56 AM
A wonderful image of a very beautiful face, well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/11/2011 03:10:33 PM
I knew this shot would ribbon. She IS a natural beauty, and you captured her perfectly. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/10/2011 05:40:00 AM
One of the things that pisses me off with this site is that a fantastic image like this, in a "Female Portrait" category get a 1 and a 2 vote from someone - clearly unwarranted. Even the 4 is a bit questionable. Congrats on the ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/10/2011 02:31:06 AM
Congrats on your first ribbon, beautiful shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/09/2011 04:01:14 PM
Well done! Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/09/2011 02:16:41 PM
A beautiful image Robert and congratulations on your first ribbon. I only just managed to stay ahead of you to take out the Blue - very close.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/09/2011 07:53:11 AM
holy hotness!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/09/2011 06:42:36 AM
booyeah!

shot in the new "studio"?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/09/2011 02:32:40 AM
Had to be near here somewhere,a lovely face and shot,Congratulations.
What a brill shot for your first ribbon.( just realised )

Message edited by author 2011-09-09 06:34:30.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/09/2011 01:27:20 AM
Congratulations! Told ya this would win.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/08/2011 10:26:16 PM
I am SO happy to see this ribbon! Stunning subject, perfect processing, the work of a pro!

Originally posted by Beni Rodriguez:
Originally posted by tanguera:
Love it when an image doesn't use "expert" editing - and wins a ribbon. Congrats.


but... it should use it in an "expert editing" challenge!! ;)


Beni, you're way off base here. The level of editing for a given challenge is merely the amount of processing that a photographer MAY use. Note in the rules of each challenge it says "May" or "May not," not Must or Must not. Deducting points (or not giving points...semantics) because someone was able to do more with less is rather trite.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/08/2011 09:42:13 PM
Congrats on your ribbon. Beautiful portrait.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/08/2011 09:29:16 PM
Great shot, nice finish.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/08/2011 09:18:59 PM
Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/08/2011 09:09:53 PM
Originally posted by tanguera:
Love it when an image doesn't use "expert" editing - and wins a ribbon. Congrats.


but... it should use it in an "expert editing" challenge!! ;)
 09/08/2011 08:42:16 PM
It's the "cleanliness" of this ... the shooting and the model that wins the RED for me here. Well done, Robert! Congrats on your first of many!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/08/2011 08:20:12 PM
Love it when an image doesn't use "expert" editing - and wins a ribbon. Congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/08/2011 08:19:59 PM
Congrats on Brown Ribbon!..

(I think this photo would be better in a "Advanced Editing" challenge instead, cause I associate the "Expert Editing" as something more, than just a nice pic)... don't get me wrong, your photo is very sweet. :)

"take a look at the Male Portrait competition (Expert Editing aswell), and see those winners!.. in fact I gave 10's to nr.1 and nr.2, while a 9 to nr. 3!", in the female portrait challenge I gave 10's to nr. 8 and nr. 18, as they fitted better the "expert editing")

Message edited by author 2011-09-09 00:27:26.
 09/08/2011 08:04:49 PM
I knew this would get top three. Well done again! Stunning work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/08/2011 08:02:00 PM
Good for you Robert...nothing like your first Ribbon
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
09/07/2011 09:49:40 PM
Yes she is, a natural. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/07/2011 01:40:31 PM
Personal favorite. I hope this wins.
I love her eyes! Love the half grin she has going on. Her hair looks so good too.
Very well done. Fav'd and 10!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2011 04:36:03 PM
10! and my favorite
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2011 03:09:43 PM
Fantastic photo! 10!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/05/2011 10:47:50 PM
Agreed, she is. The type of woman who appears approachable, kind and forthright. You've caught her essence perfectly.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/05/2011 06:10:13 AM
Very nice job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2011 10:56:01 PM
Beautiful model and I love your image 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2011 07:25:16 PM
A very beautiful woman! Lovely portrait of her, too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2011 06:31:13 PM
beautiful. that's the only way i can describe this picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2011 05:13:15 PM
Wow... she's gorgeous and so is your photography! BEAUTIFUL job by both of you. Back to vote... 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2011 07:32:14 AM
Wow
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2011 05:36:21 AM
Winner in many ways
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2011 03:22:11 AM
Certainly a lovely face and great shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/03/2011 09:51:19 AM
My top pick for the challenge. Just an all around nice portrait. Good work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/03/2011 05:53:32 AM
Great light. My favorite so far.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/02/2011 10:13:41 PM
This is really sexy.. 10 for me
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/02/2011 09:44:39 PM
Wonderfully clean capture!! Best wishes in the contest!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/02/2011 07:21:21 PM
This is gorgeous! The focus, the skin tones, the lighting it's all flawless. Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/02/2011 03:54:08 PM
As the title says... "Natural", cant see there is "Expert Editing" here. I guess there is some cloning on face, aswell as glamourizing (or call it what ever it is called).

The model is astonishing beautiful! I would love having her as a neighbour, so I could stop by to ask for sugar or other things (excuses) ;)
 09/02/2011 11:38:35 AM
penetrating pose - well done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/02/2011 06:54:33 AM
Beautiful! So soft yet clear.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/02/2011 06:45:46 AM
I like the high key and softness to this. While you didnt take advantage of the expert editing this photo still has some very nice quality to it. 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/02/2011 05:37:24 AM
Magnificent portrait work. This is my pick for a blue ribbon. 10 Keep up the good work. It is a joy to view a pro level real world portrait, rather than the distorted cartoons.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/02/2011 05:05:55 AM
Really nice. Simple. The lighting is beautiful. Great catch lights. She looks like a young Dana Delaney. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/01/2011 08:49:28 PM
Simple and lovely.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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