High Contrast Black and White

[jschoenr]

First post... I was playing around with a single strobe and reflector, got my daughter to model for me.. What do you think of the B/W conversion and crops? C&C please:

1. (Original)
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

2.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

3.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

4.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

[igot2pman]

I like the crop, definitely in the "thirds". But it makes me sad to know how much was really cut away. There could have been so much more detail.

The only problem I see is the highlight looks blown. The first two look good but the last one is just too noticeable for me. Below is about what I think is about right (converted then D&B some of the highlight).

Also, clean up some of the fly away hairs.

Beautiful daughter by the way.

My opinion,
-Keven

[flice]

I agree... high contrast can be fine, but when you blow it out, it's hard to make it look good. Often you'd good complete high key or low key instead. The middleground is just too shaky without detail.

I would say once you leave detail behind you should go graphic instead and really explore the realm of high contrast.

I think Keven illustrated a nice alternative.

[Gobsmacked]

Personally I think a vertical crop would have been better . Show more of her beautiful hair . Bill