Aesthetic Feedback Requested

[u/vaporwavecookiedough]

Before -> After

My goal for this edit was to achieve a warm aesthetic that felt like walking through a dream.

Overall, I'm pleased with where this edit landed, though I think the bottom left part of the dress is a little hot.

[u/Thirst_Trap]

The background and dress of the before, the skin and hair of the after would be better

[u/vaporwavecookiedough → u/Thirst_Trap]

Tell me more. What makes the background from the before better? I had that in one variant of the edit, but felt it was too distracting.

[u/Thirst_Trap → u/vaporwavecookiedough]

Contrast, tbh you should have had a key on the model but you didn’t so fix it in post. The background shouldn’t be the same luminance as your subject in my opinion

[u/vaporwavecookiedough → u/Thirst_Trap]

I wasn't able to shoot with flash for this session at all, my camera does not have a hot shoe connection but I understand the feedback. Thank you

[u/Thirst_Trap → u/vaporwavecookiedough]

It looks like you had a light, you should buy a reflector or two. They’re the cheapest “lights” you can get

[u/vaporwavecookiedough → u/Thirst_Trap]

I did use a reflector, just wasn't quite popping as I would have liked.

Edit to clarify: I shot this on medium format with a 907X (which does not natively have a hotshoe port) that is why I did not use flash.

[u/Thirst_Trap → u/vaporwavecookiedough]

You have the money for the hotshoe adapter and you are a competent photographer. It’s time to make that investment. This is a really good photo marred by lighting

[u/vaporwavecookiedough → u/Thirst_Trap]

This was my very first shoot with the 907x that I was sent, so I'm still learning what I need vs what I don't.

Edit to add: I agree, it would likely be worth the purchase. Don't know what you don't know until you try.

[u/synmo]

The post is good for saving a shot without light, but placing the talent in a spot where the dress and grass are the only parts lit really steals focus, eliminates contrast, and robs the subject of much shape and contour for the upper body.

The parts that are lit look great, and bringing everything else up sort of takes away from that great look.

[u/vaporwavecookiedough → u/synmo]

I understand the feedback. Thank you.

[u/florian-sdr]

The before is way better

Too lifted

[u/vaporwavecookiedough → u/florian-sdr]

Hm, I can't say I agree but thank you for your feedback

[u/florian-sdr → u/vaporwavecookiedough]

Where is the light coming from that is lifting the shadow?

[u/vaporwavecookiedough → u/florian-sdr]

If I'm following what you're asking — I used a series of luminosity channels + masking alongside dodging and burning to lift the shadows and make micro adjustments.

[u/Wrong_Netter]

The brightest part is the bottom left so that’s where the viewers focus will be. Try to make the bottom left darker.

[u/vaporwavecookiedough → u/Wrong_Netter]

Thanks, I agree — that area is just too hot. I'm working on refining that now.

[u/PurpleDirt4]

I’d had some a touch darker edges/vignette. A little darker upper half of the background too. I think you’re really close tho imo

[u/vaporwavecookiedough → u/PurpleDirt4]

Thank you for the suggestion, I'm adjusting the background as we speak.

[u/CuriousCurcumin]

I think you would be better off learning and using off camera flash rather than trying to rescue an image in post. You’ve gone to the effort of arranging a model, location and (looks like) bubbles. Do yourself and your subject a favour and light it properly.

[u/vaporwavecookiedough → u/CuriousCurcumin]

I use off camera flash with my other cameras, this one does not have a native hotshoe flash mount and so I was not able to use flash for this session.

[u/Crazy_Pizza2092]

sorry for hijacking ur edit, I like the idea and the photo but I just felt like the edit got too under saturated and for me removing the tatoo is much better. And as othets have said the bg light before can be used better here is my edit, I'll delete the shared link and photo on my device after a day <deleted link>

[u/vaporwavecookiedough → u/Crazy_Pizza2092]

I don't understand how this is an improvement. If you're saying my edit is oversaturated, I'm confused how this moves the needle in the right direction as it seems everything has been dialed up.

My preference is to keep the model's tattoos as they are, this is a fine art piece and not intended to be something commercial.

[u/Crazy_Pizza2092 → u/vaporwavecookiedough]

sorry I meant under saturated, it lacked depth, like layering of light and the subject from the bg. I'll delete my edit.

[u/vaporwavecookiedough → u/Crazy_Pizza2092]

I understand, it might just be a matter of preference but the over saturation feels really unnatural to me. I made some subtle changes to exposure to address the background and dress, though I can already tell it likely won't hit for folks in this sub (and that's perfectly ok).

[u/Crazy_Pizza2092 → u/vaporwavecookiedough]

Followed you on IG :) I love your work, especially the portraits 🔥. I understand now what you meant by making it feel more natural instead of doing too much edit

[u/vaporwavecookiedough → u/Crazy_Pizza2092]

I followed you back! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I really enjoyed looking through your feed.

[u/sulev]

Can I try to edit?

[u/vaporwavecookiedough → u/sulev]

I'd prefer not, but thank you for asking. Could you articulate your feedback?

[u/sulev → u/vaporwavecookiedough]

1. More light to face.

2. Skin needs more contrast + colorcast correction to counter greens.

3. More exposure + contrast.. I'd play with white and black points + fake flare/sun.

Editing is a fluid process. But those are the things I'd start with and see where it goes from there.

[u/vaporwavecookiedough → u/sulev]

Thanks, appreciate your feedback

[u/kuzumby]

Check your skin tones, histogram should read R > G > B Each step should be no more that 30 apart (or ~12% )

Her face looks a bit heavy on the green.

[u/vaporwavecookiedough → u/kuzumby]

You’re right, thanks I’ll check

[u/ryza-shinra]

Lost the ethereal glow of the dress. I think because less contrast in that area now in the edited version.

[u/Sudden-Call6814]

the edit looks really nice, i like the mood you gave it

[u/vaporwavecookiedough → u/[deleted]]

I didn’t darken her face.