The opportunity to shoot a local hospital's CEO addressing a few hundred doctors is interesting enough and as assignments go, this one's pretty good. However, the restrictions on the photography were tremendous. Don't shoot too much, don't make any noise, don't move around and NO FLASH. The light was 2700K and extremely spotty when it wasn't straight down on the speaker. The speakers eyes were a bit sunken so the shadows from the toplight were harsh. These images were captured with Active D-Lighting on High. Still, no detail in the eyes until they were processed with Capture NX2. Whew!
The images were shot at 2500 ISO with a D3 and 300 F/2.8 and processed with NX2. I'm glad I have this combination because it really made a huge difference. Check out the before and after photos.
Happy Holidays and good shooting to you all!
Mike
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
Personally, I'd cut back 50% on trying to pull detail out of the shadows, especially his right (our left) eye. If you look at his hair in 1 vs. 2, it's quite a bit lighter and if it were me in the shot, since my hair is just about the same grey, he'll prefer shot 1. I think when you lightened the bkgd., it spilled on the hair. Also, I'd really work on those reflections (magnifications) directly below his glasses.
Anyway, I don't think you were looking for a critique, sorry if it's a bit harsh. You've done an amazing job of pulling up those shadows. I'd just like you to look at the shot from his (CEO) point of view. I think you're looking at the technical side and he'll be looking at how old he looks. Just my thought.
Merry Christmas. I got a lump of coal for everyone, arriving COD. BTW, love the tie.
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
Last edited by DougAxford; 12-12-2008 at 11:09 PM.
I prefer the first one for what I see is a mood. I know you didn't ask for critique but you say you've saved the shot.
Once again photography is subjective. Either way you've done well under the circumstance.
I remember at a wedding the priest turned to me and offered a bunch of rules then when I backed off a little everyone else became the professional photographer, men women and children stuck their cameras in his face without a single word from the priest.
Retards are everywhere while I need to get the job done.
Bill.
PS... maybe I'm the retard?
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
I understand where you guys are coming from, but it was that moment when my client came over to me during the shoot and asked, "you'll be able to see his eyes in the picture right?" I reassured her that we'd be able to pull the detail out of the shadows, while thinking maybe we would and maybe I was TOAST! I was so relieved to realize the combination of camera and RAW processor really did save my butt.
I can see, understand and agree with the comments made on the forum about the pictures, I can also tell you my client was ecstatic with the processed images. Once on press, the file did gain a bit in density and the printed piece landed nicely between the two images in density.
I hope you are all well and have a great holiday season. Now, I've got to go scrape the change out of my car seats, couch cushions and old jeans to start saving for the D3X! Maybe I'll need more than spare change eh?
M
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
You did a good job making it look like you had some fill light. The dynamic range available through modern cameras and software is truly wonderful.
I'm with the others, I'd probably have gone a little less aggressive with the save and kept the look of the light a bit softer, but I fully understand what you're saying about your client wanting to make absolutely sure she could see his eyes. You surely don't want to fall short after such a reassurance! I'd say you came through with flying colors.
Oh, one thing: Watch out for lightening up gray hair too much. Even guys like to look younger in photos.
I would say that this is a photojournalistic shot, not an artistic one, so Michael did a FANTASTIC job bringing out the eyes. This was a real world situation that I find myself in often, and it's good to know that you can "bring it out"!
Mark S.
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
Even guys like to look younger in photos. 
Linear Mode
