Discussion on: Image 155 - "Grief"

Discussion, revisions and constructive criticisms of Image 155 - "Grief"

Original - Bob Wallace (BobTrips)
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Original Date	2005-06-22 13:27:32
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Photographers Note:
Could use some help with this one. First time I've tried a triptych. I'm guessing the frames should be bolder, perhaps black? What else?

Mother macaque holding her dead infant.

Lopburi, Thailand

Andy Leach (RedAndy)
Msg: #1

June 26th 2005
20:34:29

I assumed when I looked at this that it would be better to have the two outer images looking in, to concentrate the focus on the central one. Several layers later I discovered I was wrong - having them the way you do adds to the sense that something is missing and that while we are aware of it, it isn't ours. She seems to be going through the stages - were the photos taken in order 1 -3 -2? The only thing I thought of that you could try is sampling her hair to use in the borders ( something light, the frame probably won't benefit from darkening and it might feel too much like the bars on a cage which would detract from the emotion of the piece). The yellow blocks at the top of the image could go but they don't seem a major distraction. Well captured.

Camille (cnut)
Msg: #2

June 28th 2005
18:59:13

I like these images presented as a triptych. Each image is strong enough to stand on it’s own but as a trio the impact is even greater. I would crop the image on the right (her head down) to the size of the image in the center (her looking forward). I would obviously remove some of her back and I would not enlarge it to remove anything from the bottom. I like how it shows her slumped. The picture on the left (her turning her head) would be the largest image. To me that image is the strongest and it also has no room for cropping. I would then change their order to head facing forward, head turned then head facing down. Here is why I arrived at this order besides the sizing issue. Let’s say I was her, I would look at you and tell you “my baby is not well”. Then I would start to get ready to cry and break eye contact with you and look away. Then I would drop my head and look at my baby and start to weep (ok, bawl my eyes out). Let me know what you think. BTW, what was the original order of the shots? Bob those pictures are so good. And darn it they got to me again. As for framing not too bold between the pictures as not to distract.

I am going to try to separate them and play a bit. I need to figure out how to create frames in PE2.

Bob Wallace (BobTrips)
Msg: #3

June 28th 2005
19:05:42

Thanks Camille,

Here's how I did the frames and assembly above. First I took each image and did an Image->Resize->Canvas and added 20 pixels to sides and top/bottom. That gave me a 10 pixel frame.

Then I did a File->Photomerge, selected the three and let the program try to assemble them. ;o) When it gave up I dragged them to the positions I wanted and then Saved.

Camille (cnut)
Msg: #4

June 28th 2005
20:30:29

Here is my sorry attempt at the resize and org.  I did this while you posted your hints.  I will try your way later.

First I took your original into MS Office Pict Mgmr and created 3 copies.  Then I cropped into individuals.  Then I cropped the picture with her head down to match the smallest (her face foward).  I then went to PE2 created a new canvas and added the three in the order I wanted.  Then cropped the canvas to size and saved.

I tried to do this layer style but can\'t figure out how to unlock layers.  Adobe PhotoHome PE\'s predicessor was much easier and smoother to use, grrr.  Much to learn, thanks for giving me a lesson.

Revision: 1
Camille (cnut)

Camille (cnut)
Msg: #5

June 28th 2005
20:35:56

Bob, I would also like to try lightening her infant's face a bit but I just can't seem to make it happen. What do you think of the re-org?

Bob Wallace (BobTrips)
Msg: #6

June 28th 2005
23:55:25

I like it better, I think.  I want to try another arrangement - looking left, looking down, looking right.  I need to dig out the original files and see if I have any shots that might work better.

And I'm not liking the background.   It's a bit too white, too busy.  Perhaps I should try something more drastic there?

Lightening the baby's face - I'd try the Dodge Tool.  But one has to be pretty careful with it.  Set is low and make a few passes.  If PSE had the shadow/highlight tool that might work better.

Looking at the three, the looking down shot is cropped differently.  Maybe that's what's not working.

Camille (cnut)
Msg: #7

June 29th 2005
18:37:40

Hey Bob, can you post the originals, all of them and untouched. This needs to be done and done right. She deserves it.

Kristina Johnson (wired2theworld)
Msg: #8

March 18th 2006
19:58:31

The photos are heart-wrenching. In terms of the triptych, it appears that the photos on each end are of different widths and for some reason that bothers me. And yes, I think you might try the frames in black.

Bob Wallace (BobTrips)
Msg: #9

March 24th 2006
02:00:34

OK, I went back to the original images. Cropped so that they were all the same size. Changed the order. Darkened and desaturated the background. Changed the frame color to black.

Thanks to all for the feedback and suggestions. Now how about some more? (Please....)

Revision: 2
Bob Wallace (BobTrips)

Kristina Johnson (wired2theworld)
Msg: #10

March 24th 2006
13:55:50

Bob-I think this one is too dark. It loses some of the detail that's in the other one. The rest of the changes are good however.

Bob Wallace (BobTrips)
Msg: #11

March 25th 2006
00:41:04

Thanks, I realized that as soon as I saw the side-by-side.

But here's were I really goofed up. I did the background/subject adjustments in separate layers. And, unfortunately, I didn't save the layers before flattening into a Jpeg. Had I saved the layers I could quickly increase the brightness of the macaque and save a new version....

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Number of Posts: 11

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Versions

Revision: 2
Bob Wallace (BobTrips)

Revision: 1
Camille (cnut)