Painting with light

[mirmilant]

The attached image is an example of a technique I've been experimenting with ever since I saw it demonstrated by David Ziser on his blog, DigitalTalkPro. He calls it painting with light. I was intrigued by the emotion that you can draw out of an image in this way. No studio lighting, all done inside of Lightroom. It's actually quite straightforward in principle, but it took a lot of practice to get it this image to where it is now.

I talk a bit more about it on my blog (http://mirmilant.wordpress.com/2009/03/28/lightroom-tip-painting-with-light/) (including a link to David Ziser's video which walks you through this effect) if you're interested. I'd be really interested in hearing everybody's critique.

Thanks
Antonio

[Chris-T-Photography]

Wow I really love this image. I have always been a sucker for B&W to begin with and this one is executed well. I love how you have the hair just barely visible enough to see hints of it but it doesn't over take the face and really frames her in nicely. I am not a person to critique anyone as my work could be critiqued to death but the only thing I will say is that this image really has a very soft feeling to it and this is really more of a creative choice I think but I would like to have seen the face a little more soft instead of so sharp. I think that would have helped to set that mood a little bit more. I love the image and that isn't necessarily a flaw just a creative choice I may have gone with. Anyway thanks for the image I will definitely be using it as inspiration in the future.

[Steve Paxton]

Great work Antonio! I am interested in the process you used - I will take a look at it when I get some free time.