Chimp - for critique

[kevinlowe]

chimp-web.jpg (156.87 KiB) Viewed 9591 times

Taken at the Welsh Mountain Zoo. I had to take the shot through some very thick, very dirty glass, so although I got a few shots they were all quite murky. I tried a few b/w conversions, but thought this effect worked the best.

Comments/critique/insults very welcome.

Okay, maybe not the insults...

[mancunian61]

Hi Kevin,

I like this photo and although you said you had problems getting a good image I think you have made the best of it. It looks to me like it was a very very old photo with a great pose from the chimp looking directly into the camera, especially with the little piece of grass in his mouth.

Best wishes

Ann

[John]

The light in the eyes is good. Where it falls down for me is the low contrast and low sharpness, both probably a consequence of the taking conditions. This could be tackled to some extent in Photoshop and I think it would be worth working on a little more.

Great pose!

[Paul Jones]

Not much wrong with this image at all.
It ticks all the boxes for me - subject matter, interest, composition, treatment.

[-KT]

I think the fact that it looks like an old photo adds to its appeal. Good job hun!

[Ianuk50]

Love the retro feel of this picture but maybe does need a little more contrast; you did exceptionally well considering it was through glass; brilliant pose, great picture

[paulinefisher]

Hi Kevin
What strikes me most of all about this image is the expression on the face of the chimp and the feeling it evokes from me. I feel that he is so sad and his whole body language conveys this. The image is not as sharp as it could be but considering that it was taken through glass you have done well. Have you tried selecting the eyes individually and using the unsharp mask or whichever method of sharpening you prefer? I think that doing this could lift the image.

[Theo Dibbits]

If you are going for the retro look how about toning it a little It may also overcome the lack of contrast to a certain extend.

Try installing "Virtual photographer" from optikverve labs virtual photographer
Its a free plugin to photoshop and it gives you a load of different B&W looks which are a great starting point.

I like the picture by the way.

Theo

[-KT]

Nice feedback theo, going to try that plugin myself =)

[kevinlowe]

chimp2.jpg (208.18 KiB) Viewed 9529 times

Right, I've had a bit of a mess around in Photoshop, attempting to up the sharpness and contrast a tad. Do people prefer this version, or the original?

[Paul Jones]

I prefer the toning on the original version.

[John]

Orinal toning + new sharpness and contrast would be my choice!

[kevinlowe]

chimp3.jpg (171.54 KiB) Viewed 9524 times

If I were ever to become famous, they would refer to this as my 'PG Tips period'.

Any better?

[John]

Yes, much better. It's probably as far as you need to go with this one as there's not much more you can do about the sharpness.

It's a great pose and an attractive image.

[paulinefisher]

I prefer your final version and the eyes are so much more alive in both the first and second edit. The little chap looks so much happier with a twinkle in his eye.