i used a tripod. the house was pretty much dark. it was storming outside. the blinds were closed. no lights were on. it wasn't pitch black inside but still quite dark.

i lit a candle. used a tripod and timer.

f/ 2.5
1/5 sec.
ISO 64

then i did some postwork. i forget what filter i used. sorry. added that paper texture. did some cloning. used retouch tool to soften the area around my hands.

i have arthritis. my hands swell. that's why they look so awful in this pic. the swelling is always worse in the morning.

anyway. here's the postworked version. edit: i don't do frames well. please advise on that too. thanks guys!

Message edited on: 04/13/2005 23:13

HEY YOU!!!! Well, you sure looks wide awake, LOL. I love the first one, it is really elegant. Looks like an add for something, excellent work Sheila!!!! And the second one looks awesome too but for another reason that i just cant put my finger on. I guess sometimes you just love something without knowing what is about it that makes you go AWE. Very cool stuff S!!!!

LOL! Thanks, Andreas! yeah, well...i had just finished my coffee!!! that stuff sure does open my eyes!!! thanks...sometimes i have a hard time describing why i like a certain image too.

Well I like the original. Blue one am not too fussy about,but the B&W is very nice.Be nice if you added the candle in there too.

yes, I'm with Doug a 100% on this one!! ;)

thanks for your feedback guys! i just don't like the original though. you guys think i should put the candle in the first one? i can't visualize that.

Definitely!!! I think it would be a great addition to the first image!

Why do you not like the original.Maybe a bit less saturation and a wee brighten. Not much though

i like the first one too... wide-eyed & bushy-tailed as we say :] think you're a little swallowed up by all the space & frame though...

Hmmm....am i the only one that dont want Sheila to change a single thing??? I love all that space around you. And i dont see how the candle could improve this photo. You would have to crop it even further down to really have it in there...and then you would also have the table there...no...LEAVE IT AS IT IS IF YOU ASK ME!!! I think its perfect!!!!

dunno, doug. just hate it. really hate it. thought maybe i could do something with the photo though.

andreas, i agree about the candle. i don't want it. thanks a bunch! :)

i'm very sleepy . think i will call it a night soon.

night guys. thanks again!!! edit...oops...wrong pic. but there's the crop.

Message edited on: 04/14/2005 03:07

I like the stylistic look of the first one AND the fact that there are no distractions! It adds focus to YOU and only you!!! Ya know I'm a big fan of EMPTY SPACE (I've experimented alot with this) Love it! I've done a few images with FRAMES, but need to explore this more. If you offset the bottom part of the frame (making it thicker height wise and made the others thinner) you could get a polaroid kind of look to it! Cool stuff Sheila! L8r! Joe

I like the blue version more than the first picture, because there are more details in this one. Nice work

I love the first post you came up with. It has all the detail you need. ;o)

you mean a frame like this? i kinda like it. thanks a bunch for the feedback, joe.

X-PaX...thanks!!! you're absolutely right! there are more details. i'm still playing with that one!

edit: argggggggg! i did it again! i reworked the WRONG image!!!!!! going for more coffee!!!

Message edited on: 04/14/2005 13:17 edit: we crossed, big Zoon! :) thanks for telling me!

Message edited on: 04/14/2005 13:18

For once I am gonna disagree with Cyn, IMO in the first one I think the open space adds to the overall feel of the image and draws attention to you. You are an attractive woman, despite what you said to me in your PM, Kermal is right so listen to him. I really like the postwork grain, it works well, If I had to make one criticism, it would probably be that the right side of your face is too highlighted, and looks burned out, with no detail, but that is very subjective, that said, it does work for this particulate image. Im not sure that the candle would add anything in this instance, yes it looks good in the original, but the p/w version is a glamour image (Glamour by definition is the model You is the focus of the shot) which is what you have achieved and very well. Nothing wrong with the frame, maybe a little thinner would work though. I like the original, but from what you have said to me, you wanted it to be about you, and the original whilst very nice, the homey feel to it draws attention away form the focal point on the exercise. Hope this helps you Shilia

Cross post. Yep I like this latest one.

yeah...helps a bunch, Simon! Thankx! i've tried to say something in here so many times but got too shy and embarrassed. you made it easier for me so i appreciate that! yeah, i wanted to make myself look a bit glamorous using that image. trying to make something glam, stylish, or elegant from me? verrrrry hard because i'm just not that. i'm just silly sheila...plain and simple. big froggy eyes and swollen hands from arthritis! LOL! can't cover that up. i didn't wanna try. i just was embarrased to say what i was trying to do because i'm so NOT glam! but you, Andreas, & Joe all gave me feedback that said i did achieve something like that. i'm glad ya'all saw that without me saying anything. you're right. the right side of my face is too highlighted and burned out. i know i shouldn't like it, but i do. LOL! makes no sense. well, i guess i like it because i think it comes the closest to showing my personality. anyway, thanks so much simon! i HAD to have your opinion on this 'cause your portraits are just incredible!!! and i know you don't mince words either! i do value kemal's opinion a LOT. thing is...kemal loves how i look even when i look my worst. he loves all my photos too!!! LOL. i can show him the worst lookin' photo of me and he'll still love it because i'm the subject! and you can see in his eyes he MEANS it!!!! how lucky am I!!!!!!! :) thanks again, Simon!!!!

1st is my favorite. Neat image.

thanks, Randy! :)

THIS TIME I WILL SHOUT TO MAKE MYSELF HEARD...OKAY??? AM I LOUD ENOUGH??? LEAVE IT AS IT WAS SHEILA!!!! THE FIRST ONE YOU MADE REMAIN MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE. SPACE, FRAME, EVERYTHING ABOUT THAT ONE IS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!!! SORRY FOR YELLING FOLKS...HAD TO BE DONE....sigh...pssst...did that answer your question Sheila ;o)

LOL! Roger that! yep...that was loud, Andreas! haha! thank you! hope my parents will think it's perfect too! i was gonna give it to my mom as part of her mother's day present...but i'm thinking i might give this to mom & dad as part of their anniversary present. not sure. yep...answered my question! thanks, Bud!