The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
On November 2nd I attended a wonderful celebration of Dia de los Muertos, (Day of the Dead) right in my neighbourhood here in Toronto. One of the central figures in this yearly celebration is La Calavera Catrina – The Elegant Skeleton Woman. At this particular celebration there were a number of “Las Catrinas” – part of a dance troupe – circulating before their performance, among the enormous crowd. Many people would ask them to pose for selfies or with their family. But I wanted to try my hand at portraits and see if I could capture their noble beauty and elegance. I approached five or six of these Catrinas and asked them if I could take their pictures. Of course, they were very happy to oblige. It was a bit of a challenge – I had to be fairly quick about it, plus I was shooting in low light (thank heavens for DxO Pure Raw!). But I didn’t just want these beautiful skulls staring back at my camera, so I started talking to them, regaling them with how beautiful they were in their glorious regalia – skulls adorned with roses, feathers, and jewels. And very quickly they started getting into character – in this image, for example, she has lifted her chin proudly and fearlessly, becoming to me, at least, the very essence of La Calavera Catrina. I can’t remember when I had more fun taking pictures.
Specific Feedback
I’d love to have you share your impressions as you look at this portrait and whether or not it gives you any insight into who this archetype - La Calavera Catrina - might be.
Kerry, this is a very cool image. I love the colours, pose (“attitude”) , and subject.
My only suggestion would be to leave a bit more at the top, above the “skull”.
Great subject!
@SandyR-B - thanks for the feedback, Sandy, and especially for bringing my attention to the issue around the top of the frame. It’s a tricky problem. I could have left more room at the top but then, where do I stop. As more space is opened up it completes at the corners but feels even more cut off at the top. Open it up more still to complete the whole skull and it is too much focus on the skull. So, my revised version is approaching it in another way. I lowered the saturation and luminosity of the red headband around the skull and raised the luminosity and saturation of the woman’s lips. I think that helps to keep the eye from being drawn to the top of the frame. You think?
I really like the revised version of this fascinating portrait Kerry. I love those dark eyes that compliment all of the black paint. Great attitude of your model here too. Such a great capture of a wonderful tradition.
Very good, Kerry. I do like her “regal” pose. She looks to be very proud . Your revised version does keep the attention more on her face and I don’t feel any tendency for my eye to wander out of the frame.
A wonderful portrait!! My take is to reduce the BG, which is a bit confusing, and really focus on the face. A masked (appropriate!) B/W layer let me tweak individual colors to get a softer tonal balance. I should also have added a vignette in the upper corners.
@SandyR-B, @Ed_Williams, @Dennis_Plank - Thanks for taking the time, not only to look but comment. Very much appreciated. @Diane_Miller - Your suggestion to de-saturate the background is certainly an interesting take but for me, a little too grim. I think the colour and light are very important in conveying the spirit of Dia de Los Muertos, which is celebratory, joyous, and fun loving rather than the often morbid view of death that is more common in Western post industrial societies.
