Portrait B&W Experiment

[suzie]

Do you think this is an effective portrait?

http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/88820030406_Jonathan_B_W_Blue_Eyes_Cropped_Small_. jpg

To me the black and white (desatrated) effect seems a bit dull, any comments or suggestions?

I have not had much success playing around with the curves, I do not really understand how this works so not sure how to improve the overall look.

Also, what do you think of the tight crop?

Thanks in advance,
Suzie.

[Laziferous]

http://www.boomspeed.com/lazzy/suzies-pic.jpg

Looks like it only needed a slight levels adjustment, and a little USM. I like the tight crop. Great photo!

[suzie]

Thanks Laz, your version is a great improvement. I will have a look at the levels and USM.

Suzie.

[Arccos]

Croping and composition are great. But why did you colour the eyes? It's creepy.

[martcol]

I like the B&W and the crop and I think the eye colour is a good idea but think as it is, it adds a sureal element that jars with the rest of the theme of the pic. How would it be with a much more subtle colouring where you kinda notice it on a second look?

Anyway, nice portrait!

Martin

[suzie]

Hi,

Thanks for all your comments!

I coloured the eyes because I thought it would make the image more dramatic and add some interest. Also, although I had decided black and white was the best option for this shot, it seemed a shame to lose the lovely blue eyes.

Anyway, I have taken all your comments into consideration and come up with this version. Is this an improvement?

http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/88820030406_Jonathan_B_W_Reduced_Blue_Eyes_Cropped _Small_.jpg

Suzie.

[Laziferous]

I like the eyes in color. I took a shot a while back, and did the very same thing. I think it's dramatic, and adds to the shot. Some don't. I say, to each his/her own. I like it though.

And yes, I do believe that this is an improvement!

[CyberDyneSystems]

Very nice! The second one is indeed an improvement. Great shot.

[Leighow]

SUZIE

I do not like the colored eyes.
***********************

Every time I see this approach it reminds me of faces I've seen "filled" with coloured contacts. It is wierd if you have to look them in the eyes. Also, I am not sure about the hand and cropped head.

I will say no more. Why?
*******************
Because we all have to develop our own styles. Who am I to say that the hand is wrong, and am I saying it because I have imprints of "no hand" faces on my brain. I'm not sure. Even so, take a look at Karsh and others. Or -- if you are ever in Ottawa, look over the portraits of the star musicians on display at our National Art Centre !

HOWIE

[KarlJones]

Suzie, I love the tight crop you did. Well done. I really think you NAILED it the second time around. Awesome job! I like what you did, very much!

And I have to give kudos to Chris, too because his version of your photo has that "edge" that I personally prefer. But two very good renditions, I think.

[suzie]

Thanks to all for your comments and suggestions. This is such a great forum for learning and improving my skills, so I appreciate others taking the time to respond.

Out of interest, here is the original shot this portrait was based on.

http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/88820030406_Jonathan_Small_.jpg


This is what I like about digital photography - it gives one the opportunity to create an image to be proud of from what might be considered a rather ordinary photo. I find this very motivating!


Suzie.

[Leighow]

Well I wil not rave about the blue background, but in most other respects (human qualities, shin tones, eyes, integration) this is the best of the lot -- by far. Hardly know that it was the same person!

Where is your studio ? Now what to do about that blue.

HOWIE

[suzie]

Hi Howie.

You really like the original shot?? I am surprised by that as I did not like it much at all - although I think it was mainly just the combination colours that originally put me off it.

Unfortunately I do not have a studio, the blue background is just one of the walls in our house (not my doing!) - one of the reasons why I decided on black and white!

Thanks again for your comments.

Suzie.

[mpaul73]

Suzie
I think this is a fine B/W portrait, but for me the eyes are over done. Desaturate the eyes so there is just a hint or so of blue. Good shot though!

Regards
Martin.

[suzie]

mpaul73 wrote:
Desaturate the eyes so there is just a hint or so of blue. Good shot though!


Hi Martin, did you see the second shot I posted above with the eyes desaturated? Is this the level of colour you think is appropriate?

Thanks for your reply.

Suzie.

[mpaul73]

suzie wrote:
mpaul73 wrote:
Desaturate the eyes so there is just a hint or so of blue. Good shot though!


Hi Martin, did you see the second shot I posted above with the eyes desaturated? Is this the level of colour you think is appropriate?

Thanks for your reply.

Suzie.



yes! how did I miss it! lol I think that is about perfect :)

Regards
Martin.

[Leighow]

suzie wrote:
Hi Howie.

You really like the original shot?? I am surprised by that as I did not like it much at all - although I think it was mainly just the combination colours that originally put me off it.

Suzie.


SUZIE

I played for 15 minutes and altered the size, brightness, contrast, blue background, and copied your framing to get rid of the reflection in the top right.

By the way, in my obtuse way, I was implying that I was next in line at your studio for a portrait session. In color!

HOWIE

http://members.rogers.com/hleigh/SMALL.jpg

[suzie]

Thanks for spending time on this Howie.

I really like your take, but for some reason I still prefer the black and white version, although I cannot say exactly why. It just seems to be a "stronger" image and capture the personality better?? Will have to give this some more thought!

Thanks again.

Suzie.

[CanGran]

Hi Suzie, just wanted to let you know I love the B&W with the subtle blue eyes in the second shot compared to the first. I just love B&W pics. Just the type of pictures I strive to do and occasionaly I add a touch of color somewhere in the picture.

CanGran

[runrigger]

Like the 2nd B&W shot best, but I just have one question - why is this gorgeous guy hiding half his face with his hand. Lets see all of him .....PLEASE

[suzie]

Thanks for your comments CanGran, I will look out for your posts...

Runrigger - here is a bit more of the gorgeous guy - just for you! He is my hubby though, so you can't see any more than this!!!

http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/888200310_Jonathan_Portrait_Small_Framed_-med.jpg

Suzie.

[Laurette]

Although I am a newbie, I know what I like. I think the cropping you did in the B&W photos are extremely effective. I like the colored eyes effect also - but would do in between the first and second attempt - let the color show without being too artificial looking. I think you've got a great eye.

...and a great looking husband. ;-)

[dp1l]

Hello

From a "very" newbie

I much prefer the second image. I really like the tight crop, the black and white, and the subtle blue of the eyes, but the vitreoussomething at the left of the left eye (the right of his right eye) also looks blue.

Is it like that on other people's monitors?

Phillip

[suzie]

Laurette wrote:
Although I am a newbie, I know what I like. I think the cropping you did in the B&W photos are extremely effective. I like the colored eyes effect also - but would do in between the first and second attempt - let the color show without being too artificial looking. I think you've got a great eye.

...and a great looking husband. ;-)

Thanks for your comments Laurette! I will tell my husband that he has been referred to as "great looking", that will make his day!

Suzie.

[suzie]

dp1l wrote:
I much prefer the second image. I really like the tight crop, the black and white, and the subtle blue of the eyes, but the vitreoussomething at the left of the left eye (the right of his right eye) also looks blue.


Hi Phillip,

Thanks for looking and taking the time to respond. I think this is just due to the reflection and shadows but I will have another look at the image as it is possible I saturated this area also when working on the eyes...

Suzie.

[suzie]

Hello again.

OK - this is the last version. Have increased the saturation of the eyes slightly and tried to remove the appearance of a blue tinge on the right eye (left of picture).

http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/88820030406_Jonathan_B_W_Reduced_Blue_Eyes_Modifie d_Small_.jpg

Thanks again to everyone for their comments and suggestions.

Suzie.