Photographer's Comment: I had lunch with a lady yesterday who wore the most fantastic red shoes, a dress with eyelets and all in such an elegant way.

Tags: dainty legs feet shoes red lady feminine

Viewer Comments:

By CJGroth (2007-12-04 10:15:36 ): Hi Carl - when I was taking the pix, I sort of wished we weren't sitting on a wood deck. It seemed like something more elegant to match the "scene" would be better - but in retrospect the texture of the wood and the way it handles light helps the picture. Also, I like the color it ties it together more. Thanks for your thoughtful comment. C.J.

By karmal (2007-12-04 07:31:25 ): Hi CJ. Thank you. I'm pleased to share my tricks (not secrets). I must say that I've been too lazy to record every step I make when editing a photo (I'm changing this attitude). However, in that particular photo, besides the basic editing and darkening the background, I remember to have copied the blue channel and pasted it as a new layer. After, I changed the blend mode to luminosity (sometimes I decrease the opacity of this new layer in normal blend mode). I never read this technique anywhere, but maybe there are other ways in PS (apply image ?). Sometimes this works well, sometimes don't. The blue channel layer in luminosity (or multiply)mode kills the yellows and reds, which are bleeding colours, makes colours more sharply defined. If you do not want this result on the reds and yellows you can always use a layer mask. The problem with the blue channel is that it usually carries more noise than the other channels. In that photo I guess it created the texture that you mentioned. So it worked. Friendly from Carlos

By smokeydawg (2007-12-03 14:42:57 ): Nice job CJ, great light and I like the contrast in texture the wood floor brings.

By CJGroth (2007-12-03 12:35:14 ): Hi Alan -- thanks for the nice comments! You know, I find myself drawn to a painterly style in my photography, but I've never thought about it as trompe d'oeil ... sort of a photograph emulating a painting emulating a photograph (grin). Thanks for the great thoughts! C.J.

By CJGroth (2007-12-03 12:29:03 ): Thank you Jim.

By hochbeam (2007-12-03 04:39:00 ): This is beautiful. The red/green/blue color triad, the texture of the fabric, and the wood grain make it look more like a trompe d'oeil painting than a photograph. I almost imagine I see the lines of a sketch around the feet and the shoes, like in a 19th-Century oil painting.

By jimdstearns (2007-12-03 02:00:20 ): Very nicely done CJ. Excellant soft pic, great comp and I love the color mixture. Well done.

By CJGroth (2007-12-03 00:33:55 ): Hi Deborrah - I did a little post processing using Nik Color Efex pro midnight filter, and then used a layer mask to paint back in certain areas. Then I created an empty layer and painted over the highlights on the shoes, changing the blend mode to overlay to pump up the contrast.

By deborrah (2007-12-02 23:14:26 ): Love this image...the color against the texture..the radiant softness. Did you use some kind of a special lens?

By CJGroth (2007-12-02 22:32:55 ): Hi Jerry -- your comment about the hard edges and points vs. the sheen and other elements is interesting. I think you put your finger on something .. good photographs have those contrasting elements often, whereas many photos which are "okay" don't.

By grovester (2007-12-02 18:02:54 ): I love the contrast between the high sheen on the shoes and their hard edges and points with the more organic textures of the feet, wood and the dress. The light models everything so beautifully that you can almost reach out and touch things.

By johnwillems (2007-12-02 15:38:12 ): Oh sorry, for the "Lady-story". John.

By CJGroth (2007-12-02 14:05:54 ): Hi Tanja -- thank you. I think you're right that light is really what makes this image work. We were outside on a covered deck so the light is muted sunlight. I was very lucky.

By CJGroth (2007-12-02 12:56:44 ): Thank you, Jan. What I like about your critiques is how diplomatic you are. You are able to tell someone how to improve, while still seeing the good in each photo. CJ

By CJGroth (2007-12-02 12:53:55 ): Hi John -- thank you. I love to get feedback from you because you are very honest so when it's good I feel honored. By the way, did you know I am a girl too?

By CJGroth (2007-12-02 12:50:15 ): Hi Carolos, and thanks. Congratulations on your portfolio pick, btw. Do you share secrets??? Can you give me any tips on how you created the look in "small pleasures die hard" which is an incredible photo -- not just the man or his pose, but the texture of the piece. Wonderful!

By CJGroth (2007-12-02 12:45:17 ): Hi Karen -- thanks for the nice comment. I try to make my photos sort of lush -- soft but sharp. I don't always succeed, but I like this one.

By somagni (2007-12-02 10:18:47 ): What nice color tones. I love the way the light hits the shoes and floor.

By Isachsen (2007-12-01 19:39:17 ): I agree with the others here - just love this photo. The color combination and the composition is such a pleasure for me to sit here and look at. Wow, you were certainly off to a great start this week!

By johnwillems (2007-12-01 18:59:22 ): "You are falling in love for the shoes or for the Lady?" It may be said, these photograph is great. Original, special composition, very great mood, Yes, for me it is a Top & ProPhoto. I do like these photograph a lot. Amazing good done & fantastic artistic!! so: 4 x 5'ves. From John Willems.

By karmal (2007-12-01 16:51:29 ): This is a great work. Colors are superb. From Carlos.

By carney (2007-12-01 12:37:51 ): This is beautiful! It is so colorful, but very soft and pleasing to the eye. I love the composition. What a great photo to start off this assignment!!!

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