Originally posted by JMR Yes, it's a beautiful image as is the lady. May I suggest, because you have such a sharp lens that when you take portraits that you tone down the sharpness in the camera. The image is almost hyper real and it accentuates all features including blemishes and freckles. And we done see that kind of resolution in real life anyway. Nice shot.
Originally posted by spyglass Nice portrait Nate,
A very attractive lady. A red dress is always able to create energy. When combined look out. I like the sharp up close and personal approach with this portrait. I think it is more intimate and gives a one on one feel. Let face it, if given the option, do you wish to look at this lovely lady two tables away under soft candle light or would we all agree that Nate was a lucky man to first be seated front and center, and secondly to have the foresight to bring his camera.
While I do like Photoshop for minor touch up work we don't want to turn all the beautiful women into plastic painted dolls. But I imagine even in plastic she would still be attractive.
Spyglass
Thank you both for your comments and perspectives.
Interestingly, when I posted this image on "the other" Pentax forum, it set off an informal post-processing competition -- with multiple forum members presenting alternative versions of the image for consideration. Not surprisingly, all of the re-processed images presented a perfected version of my wife that I initially found more appealing than the original. One such version went as far as to subtly enlarge each eye by 6%, subconsciously increasing aesthetic appeal. Objectively, I can’t argue that these idealized images weren’t more appealing. Ultimately, however, I came to prefer my original capture to the perfected interpretations of my wife for very subjective and personal reasons.
After eight years of marriage I know my wife. I know her whole person. Like all of us, she is imperfect and flawed. What I have come to realize over the years, however, is that her imperfections and idiosyncrasies are actually a significant part of that which makes her so beautiful to me. Indeed, it is my intimate knowledge of these which make her real to me; which make her my wife.
Not at all objective, I know. A lot like love I suppose…
Best,
Nate
Best,
Nate