Upcoming portrait shoot, advice on this test shot?

[mikepack]

I have a shoot coming up this weekend with friends to do some basic promotional stuff. I'm looking to shoot with a lot of texture on the face and a rim light. I think I got the basics down. I'm going to try to extract some expression from the subjects.

I'm having trouble editing out blemishes because this is such a high texture image and replacing them is a little obvious. I've done the best I can.

Any comments?

[tonydee]

Edited blemishes aren't obvious (to me) at the size posted. Seems like you've probably done what you wanted to, though I would at least prefer more light on / definition of the visible eye, as it will be the point people look to for a "connection" with the subject. Cheers, Tony

[Robert_Lay]

You need different lighting in my opinion. It should be higher and not quite as far around to the side as here. Try getting your facial shadows to run diagonally across the face and also throw a little detail into those deep blacks. Also, stick with the B & W for this subject - looks good!