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Self portrait [Contest Archives November 2002]

© Cristian G. Montalvo

Self portrait

Uploaded: November 21, 2002 14:51:19

Comments

Cheryl Tessens November 21, 2002

You have created an air of mystery here with this image.Nice effects!I love it! #13726

Cristian G. Montalvo May 26, 2019

Cheryl,

Thank you for the comment. I am glad you like it.

Chris #25226

May 26, 2019

Chis,
Wonderful Photo!! What type of lighting and exposure did you use? You have created a look I am trying to achive with my photos and have not been very sucessful at it.
Tracey T
#25231

Cristian G. Montalvo May 26, 2019

Tracey,
I was telling someone a few weeks ago that people are very receptive to "my" least favorite shots. Funny, maybe I just have bad taste. If I remember correctly this was taken with a Nikon N50 (SLR)/ 28-80 lens / Kodak TMAX 125/ setting were SLR portrait. If I am not mistaken portrait settings are 125/ F22. Don't quote me on the settings...However, the only other thing you need to do to create this effect is not to use a flash. The room had very little light and I decided to create a mixture of shadow/minimun light. To do this I simply turned my flash off, the end result is what you have seen. I will also submit another picture for your review.
Chris #25318

Cristian G. Montalvo May 26, 2019

Tracey,
I was telling someone a few weeks ago that people are very receptive to "my" least favorite shots. Funny, maybe I just have bad taste. If I remember correctly this was taken with a Nikon N50 (SLR)/ 28-80 lens / Kodak TMAX 125/ setting were SLR portrait. If I am not mistaken portrait settings are 125/ F22. Don't quote me on the settings...However, the only other thing you need to do to create this effect is not to use a flash. The room had very little light and I decided to create a mixture of shadow/minimun light. To do this I simply turned my flash off, the end result is what you have seen. I will also submit other pictures for your review.
Chris #25319

May 26, 2019

Chris,
Thank you for your input on this. I have tried the low light, I will upload some of my work for you to see, and I'm just not getting the effect I am looking for. I think maybe I am using too much light. I will have to experiment more. Let me know what you think of my pictures if I can get them to upload after this.
Thanks,
Tracey #25425

Cristian G. Montalvo May 26, 2019

Tracey,
If I may...? It seems to me that the effect you are looking for is some what similiar to mine. Let me ask you a question, does your garage have windows? The reason why I am asking is because the image I originally submitted, was created with natural light (which I forgot to mention). I think that matural light will be your best alternative, as it may have a softer feel. I remember taking this picture right around 4:00-5:00 in the evening. So the light was not as bright as noon sunlight. If your garage does not have windows then maybe you can continue to use your lights but try to bounce them off a wall of maybe cover them with a with a white umbrella / sheet... I don't exactly know what you work with but these are just my ideas. Let me know how it goes...
p.s. my friend liked the image "thinking of my baby" the one with the least amount of light... I think is just goes to show that the least amount of light the more dramatic these images look.

Again, let me know what your feedback is.
-Chris #25987

May 26, 2019

Chris,
No, my garage has no windows. But in a way,it is good, I think. That way, I can control the light more, and I can shoot at anytime of the day. You sugestions are good, I will use them! Thank you! The windows that I have in my house that would give me a good picture get morning light, and for me & my subjects, that is not very conveniant! On the other hand, I have tried to use back light in some of my work too, as you can see from the other picture that I have uploaded. This picture is taken in front of my slidding glass door that gets all of the afternoon light. But I am still playing with the exposures and how to get what I want. What do you think of these pic's? Let me know and thank you for your advise on how to dim the light! Now I just need to find a white umbrella!
Thanks!
Tracey #26076

Cristian G. Montalvo May 26, 2019

Tracey,
I have been trying to respond to you for the past four-five hours...Finally, I erased the link that was sent to my email because I had the window open and started to respond to your response. Unfortunately we had a power failure and "the rest is history". I emailed the website for assistance, I went through my Internet history, browsed several of the categories on the site and finally after extensive research...here I am. Okay as far the portraits are concern...they are wonderful. I really like what you have done with both of them. I usually give feedback for manipulation on Photoshop but these two portraits I think should be left alone. I feel a portrait should be intense enough that it speaks to you, not shout. What I mean by that, is that sometimes filters and effects can create "clutter". Changing the subject I am glad that you are very receptive and also share your opinions with me...thanks. Tracey, I submitted a digital image that did not receive any compliments on the website can you tell me why? Tell me how you feel?
Chris
#26291

May 26, 2019

Chris,
Thank you for your feedback on my pictures =), sorry to hear you had such a hard time getting back to me!
The picture you uploaded is really cool. My 2 oldest boy's, 13 & 10, really think it is something! I could not tell you why nobody responded to it. Myself, it is hard to tell exactly what it is of. Don't get me wrong, I really like it, it looks very "Si-Fi" and like something you would see in an advertisement for something. You did a very good job on it, I would like to see the 3 orig pictures! Where did you take them? Also, I would like to hear more about Photoshop. I have a program called "Microsoft Picture It", that I really like, but I want to get a better quality outcome to use for my clients. Can you give me your view on it and the different ways you use it? Look forward to hearing from you.
Tracey #26368

Cristian G. Montalvo May 26, 2019

Tracey,
First of all. Where are you from? The reason why I ask is because unless you are from L.A. or ever visited you may not know where this picture was taken. The pictures were all taken in Southern California. The first picture (the arch)is from the back of the building at the Griffith Observatory, the second picture picture (the sky) was taken at an empty lot. All I did was point at the sky and shoot the most interesting clouds, the third picture (the moon)was shot in the wildrness on a full moon night. Yes, the picture is supposed to have a "Si-Fi" effect. Eventually I would like for all of work to be used for advertizing. You mentioned clients...are these for your business. This maybe a silly questions, but are you a photographer? I am asking because I have done a few weddings here and there but it is not really a business for me, at least not at this stage. The program you are using is in my opinion for novice only because you have limited features, However in photography what really matters is "who is behind the camera" one thing I learned early on was that, you can be a professional with a point and shoot camera! It's not the equipment that makes a good portrait, it's the person taking the picture. Photoshop and Corel are the best photo manipulation softwares in the industry. If I had to choose I would go with Photoshop only because it is in my opinion more "user friendly". Don't take my word for it I am only saying this because I am more used to working with Pshop. I will submit the three pictures previously mentioned at later time. I am having trouble finding my cd.

Chris

Chris #26556

Cristian G. Montalvo May 26, 2019

Tracey,

Here they are... #26574

May 26, 2019

Hi Chris,
Love the pictures! The moon is very spectacular!
I currently live in the Seattle area, but I grew up in S. California. But I am not familiar with the place where you took this picture. I wish you all the luck on getting your work used in advertising, you sure have the skills!! And thank you for the info on the Pshop! That is on my Christmas list this year!!!!
You asked if I am a Photographer...I would love to call myself one!! But I am a self taught lover of the hobbie!! I am trying to get a business going, but finding it hard to do with a full time job and full time kids/husband!! My passion is pregnancy/birth photgraphy and also portrait photography of all kinds, including Weddings. I hope to someday have a successful business, we shal see! I have had a couple of clients so far, mainly just friends and family (like the lady in the pictures I uploaded)that I don't have the heart to charge them for the pictures! And I so much beleive in what you said about "it is who is behind the camera that makes the picture!" I know I have the eye for pictures, it is just learning my camera better, and getting the equipment that I want, and having the space to make a studio! Not much to ask!!!
Take care!
Tracey #26955

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