Continuing in my portrait adventures...

[thrumyeye]

I haven't posted a shot for C&C in a while. I've taken a lot of advice and education and tutorial suggestions and have applied them, played with them, etc. I have also gotten a 2nd strobe and love the clarity these lights provide.

So, thought I'd subject myself to some C&C to continue to learn and improve. I love this shot, but want all aspects of others' experience and opinions, so lay it on me!

I did soften it in PP, but can't remember if I just did a soften (duplicate layer--gaussian blur--overlay) or if it was a midnight black technique...

[nwa2]

I like it. I think that because the eyes are carefully exposed and sharp they allow the flesh tones to be OK burnt out.

I have looked at it with and without the bottom half. Can't decide which is better.

[hard12find]

Nice photo, however the catchlights seem to give him reptile eye's....IMHO..
Jim

[joshandlauri]

looks to blown out in face and could stand a crop IMO. I like this one.........but thats me.

[thrumyeye]

Nice photo, however the catchlights seem to give him reptile eye's....IMHO..
Jim

Interesting! I didn't see that until you pointed it out and I understand how that is seen...

I like it. I think that because the eyes are carefully exposed and sharp they allow the flesh tones to be OK burnt out.

I have looked at it with and without the bottom half. Can't decide which is better.

Thank you. I appreciate the comment! I also can't decide which crop is better. I like the little color the arms give, but the lower half is really kind of pointless to the rest of the shot.

looks to blown out in face and could stand a crop IMO. I like this one.........but thats me.


Yes, the skin tones are a bit blown. He is very fair skinned, but most of that comes from the gaussian blur technique I applied. I hesitated in deciding if this was a keeper or not because of that...


Thank you all for checking it out!

[Benji]

Here is how I see it.

Benji

[thrumyeye]

Thank you Benji. You've tilted him a little and centered the crop, right?

It's nice but it's too ... centered ... and the chair is horizontal and... I don't know. It's too much of a T shape for me.

What about the rule of thirds? That is why I cropped it off-centered. I know little about the rules, other than what they are. Meaning I don't think I know enough, or have enough experience, to break them.

I welcome any opinions on this thought...

[hard12find]

Thrumeye,
It's a simple fix to Photoshop out one of the Catchlights....just a personal thing...

[Benji]

Thank you Benji. You've tilted him a little and centered the crop, right?

It's nice but it's too ... centered ... and the chair is horizontal and... I don't know. It's too much of a T shape for me.

What about the rule of thirds? That is why I cropped it off-centered. I know little about the rules, other than what they are. Meaning I don't think I know enough, or have enough experience, to break them.

I welcome any opinions on this thought...

I cropped it using what I had. If I had made the original exposure I would have left sufficient space for the exact crop that is needed. As far as the rule of thirds, in head and shoulders portraiture, that rule is applied about 98% of the time in reference to the placement of the eyes. They are usually placed 1/3rd of the way down from the top of the composition. In portraits that show more of the body, one can place the subject "1/3rd off" using the rule of thirds, but this is usually done for a reason. It is usually not done just for the sake of placing them off center so one can say they followed the rules of thirds.

Benji

[thrumyeye]

I cropped it using what I had. If I had made the original exposure I would have left sufficient space for the exact crop that is needed. As far as the rule of thirds, in head and shoulders portraiture, that rule is applied about 98% of the time in reference to the placement of the eyes. They are usually placed 1/3rd of the way down from the top of the composition. In portraits that show more of the body, one can place the subject "1/3rd off" using the rule of thirds, but this is usually done for a reason. It is usually not done just for the sake of placing them off center so one can say they followed the rules of thirds.

Benji

Good information to have! Thank you!!

[feilb]

Hmm, i do like the pp for what it is worth, it works as a special effect. The skin is a bit too soft though. However, as has been mentioned, the head chop is particularly problematic. It is such a harsh contrast between the dark hair and the white background that the eye is drawn there, only to find a squared off head. Takes the focus off of the eyes.

[thrumyeye]

the head chop is particularly problematic. It is such a harsh contrast between the dark hair and the white background that the eye is drawn there, only to find a squared off head. Takes the focus off of the eyes.

I had not realized that before and agree with you. Thank you!

It is good to have aspects like this pointed out. This is why I post! To get tips/pointers/opinions from other people's points of view. Sometimes another eye is exactly what you need.

Very helpful.

[butcha27]

I like it, the last version is my favorite but you are learning a lot on here which is a very good thing! keep it up