Which Charlotte ?

[Bear]

Currently, I am working with Charlotte, a singer/songwriter who is on the verge of her big breakthrough. Charlotte is about to record her first CD and we are working on promotional pictures and CD cover photos. We have a slight difference of opinion and I thought I would get someone else's view. The following two pictures are produced from the same original and show differing levels of post-processing. Neither is likely to be used but I have posted them for comparison purposes.

I favour the first version, a less processed, more natural look.



Charlotte prefers the second version.



I am interested in your thoughts.

[Pops]

Re: Which Charlotte ?

Instant decision.....1st one by a mile

[Autumn]

Re: Which Charlotte ?

First one for me. Her nose looks white in the second one.

[Ian]

Re: Which Charlotte ?

This is difficult really. I can see the point of the others preferring the first one, but this is a commercial proposition and in that case maybe the second is better.

I don't know Charlotte, but I am being frank and honest in saying that I'm not keen on the picture overall; she doesn't look relaxed, almost startled. She has lovely eyes, but the expression formed by her mouth doesn't do her any favours. She doesn't look happy - at least not to me.

Apologies in advance is my critique is considered too harsh, especially as this isn't the critique board.

Ian

[Bear]

Re: Which Charlotte ?

Ian - no apologies necessary. This is not a picture that is of any use at all and your criticisms are spot on. Charlotte, for a professional performer (singer and dancer) was a difficult subject and found it very difficult to relax. I used this picture to illustrate to her the end results possible and thought it would be interesting to gauge others reactions to the differing styles. After longer consideration my view is not as rigid as it was. The second style I feel is probably better for the promotional pictures because, as you say, it is a commercial proposition. I do, however, prefer the first !

[Stephen]

Re: Which Charlotte ?

Ian - no apologies necessary. This is not a picture that is of any use at all and your criticisms are spot on. Charlotte, for a professional performer (singer and dancer) was a difficult subject and found it very difficult to relax. I used this picture to illustrate to her the end results possible and thought it would be interesting to gauge others reactions to the differing styles. After longer consideration my view is not as rigid as it was. The second style I feel is probably better for the promotional pictures because, as you say, it is a commercial proposition. I do, however, prefer the first !

Whilst I agree with Ian, I also feel that one needs to strike a balance between cleaning up skin imperfections and making it appear plasticky. There is software around that does this rather well. I did a review of some Kodak plugins 3 years ago and was impressed with what the Digital Gem Airbrush Pro did

[devilgas]

Re: Which Charlotte ?

i also use the same software as bear used on the 2nd and know that it can produce some great results, however it is easy to overdo things and produce a polyfilla look. the 2nd photo has been over-processed and needs (in my mind) dialing back a bit, especially on the blemish removal / skin softening controls.

[Tom]

Re: Which Charlotte ?

I like the overall set up and shape to this.
But I would also say this;
Her white top blends in a little too much with the white portion of the background. I find too that her face looks very "stiff" and stern and in the second shot the skin on her face looks as if it is covered in make-up.
So something more relaxed and natural would work better on this one.

[Jocelyn Walker]

Re: Which Charlotte ?

The first pic is pleasingly natural! The 2nd is obviously 'worked' having smoothed the skin around the mouth a bit too much!