Photoshop Portraits- Crits On How To Make More Interesting Please

[Charles Ratteray]

Hey Guys

I often manipulate photographs to give them to my friends......mostly comping in other elements and photos....thought they might be of intrest.....im looking for hardlined suggestions on how i can improve this approach, technique....any suggestions about going in complete other directions...etc....

i realize that some of these as far as concepts may be a bit drab so im super open
thank you....

peace and blessings

C

PIC 1


http://charlesratteraydesign.com/stuff/work3.jpg
http://charlesratteraydesign.com/stuff/mar2.jpg

PIC 2

http://charlesratteraydesign.com/stuff/work4.jpg
http://charlesratteraydesign.com/stuff/karis.jpg


PIC3


http://charlesratteraydesign.com/stuff/work2.jpg
http://charlesratteraydesign.com/stuff/zia.jpg


PIC 4 - couple variationns


http://charlesratteraydesign.com/stuff/work1.jpg
http://charlesratteraydesign.com/stuff/f1.jpg
http://charlesratteraydesign.com/stuff/f2.jpg
http://charlesratteraydesign.com/stuff/f3.jpg
http://charlesratteraydesign.com/stuff/f4.jpg

[madster]

Hi Charles!
I, too, like to play with Photoshop effects, but the main problem with your photo manips is the lack of any clear "concept." They are merely pictures of pretty girls with various effects collaged together. They don't really "say" anything, nor represent any type of "characterization."

I'm going to move this thread over to our Photoshop Section, as these works really do not fit the standards of the Critique Center.

~M

[madster]

The main thing I find distracting about these is the overexposed effect you use, along with the high saturation levels.
Some of your collage elements could be "cleaned up" a bit better, such as the butterfly wings on the second one.

The one with the various versions would be an interesting "bride effect" character, but the various exposures and filter effects are too overdone, with the resultant effect almost painful to look at for almost all of them.

Subtlety is the hardest effect to learn with Photoshop photo manipulations, but once achieved, I seen some remarkable things accomplished.
Keep practicing. There are a couple of good digital collage articles on the web, and a very good book called photoshop collage techniques that although written for version 4, is still effective today.

~M

[Charles Ratteray]

First thanks for your reply...yea im really searching on this one...

do you have any personal examples of the subtlety you are reffering to from within your own pieces? Or do you know of any good sites that would offer inspirational pieces for me to absorb as a frame of reference?

i understand about the need for a clear concept ...could you clarify what you ment by characterization?

what are your suggestions for pushing these designs here into that realm of great concepts and still keep them portraits....?

when can the overexposure technique be used as an artistic choice ....I was trying to keep the bride a soft image ....any suggestions?


thanks again man :)

[madster]

It's hard for me to describe without seeming totally subjective, but overexposure loses so much fine detail in such a visually destructive manner, that I feel it should be applied with an exceedingly fine touch.

I really liked the implied character of the veiled woman, as some sort of mysterious foreign princess, another reasoning behind the visual desire for a more subdued image.

My main suggestion is to keep experimenting and practicing. Perhaps take a moment during creation to write down 3-4 words to describe the mood or feel you are attempting to create.

Some boundaries are so "new" as to not be well documented. Overexposure effects is one. Write down your processes as you go should you pursue this direction.


~M

[Charles Ratteray]

thanks man...i appreciate the feedback :)

[Barts]

wish i had friends like yours