A Maltese Man

[Metalstrm]

I would like crit on all aspects of this photograph: crop, composition, content, processing. I am still a bit street shy so I didn't go closer to the man. I would have taken a close crop of the face otherwise. The cigar he is holding also doesn't show really well, and in the other pictures I took of him his pose is not good enough, so I kept this one. Does the conversion work? Also, I kept him centered because I felt that the negative space around him only worked this way, but I'm not 100% confident that is true. Please be harsh, I know it's not good enough.

[JuiceBox]

I think the conversion is a bit harsh. There's a bit too much contrast for my tastes. It also looks like you missed the focus on his face. It looks closer to being on his hand than his eyes. If you want to make the cigar stand out more, maybe photoshop some smoke in there; I know it's not what you saw (and I personally don't like doing things like that) but that's what it would take to make it pop more.

[Flo]

Its not a true conversion..desaturation doesn't allow you the levels for a proper B&W
Change it to B&W, then play with the contrast levels.

I played.....

[Metalstrm]

What do you mean Flo it's not a true conversion?

I have just updated the picture with a bit of less contrast. How about now?

[JuiceBox]

Here's how I do my conversions.

I create a new hue/sat adjustment layer, mode is color (not normal), and desaturate.
Then I click the background again, create another hue/sat adjustment level, but leave the mode normal. Then I play with the hue slider until I get something that I like. Then I work it with curves.

[Metalstrm]

Well, I either use hue/sat but many times I use a b&w adjustment layer because it gives more control. Yes Curves I applied afterwards, here at least.

[Metalstrm]

How about this one? Different photo and a different crop. Less contrast too.

[Broncobear]

The first and last are too dark for me, but the middle is not bad. Play around with dodge and burn that can help out a lot more with this photographs. Lighten some of the dark area's and darken some of the light.

One of my friends and mentor is Rui Pahla and he uses dodge and burn in his street photo's, you can google his name if you want to take a a peak of some of his work.

[Metalstrm]

Thanks Bronocobear. In defence of my results, I'd like to say that I wanted the black to look really black, and the contrasty look as well. I did use dodge and burn throughout (otherwise the steps would have blown out), but maybe not as well as I should have. Any other take on this?

[Broncobear]

Well there is no need to defend, I think the shot itself and subject and compositions are very interesting. The only issue is what needs to be dark, you can get away with many parts of the image being dark but distinguishing features like the face and hands should stand out. In my opinion even the clothes are distinguishing and should stand out.

But in essence you usually have a foreground or a background or the subject that has the darker edgier feel" , I think there needs to be a contrast inside the dark edgy contrast so to speak

the picture has a load of potential.

[Flo]

Originally Posted by Metalstrm

What do you mean Flo it's not a true conversion?

I have just updated the picture with a bit of less contrast. How about now?

When I copied it, and then went to edit it, if I slide the tint or hue levels.its shows up.a true B&W conversion will show shadows and light on the slide, not color

[JuiceBox]

What is your take on a true BW conversion flo?

[SwingBopper]

I really enjoy character studies and this guy is a great subject; but the lighting was not cooperating with you. The right side of his face is merging with his clothing and it would be better to see more of his face. Of course you have to work with what's there I understand. also when I first saw it I thought it should be toned sepia. Those are my thoughts. The second one lacks enough facial exposure to do much with. I'm sure you will find other interesting subjects in some future outings and I look forward to seeing them.

[Metalstrm]

Thanks Swing, and yes you are right about the tonal merger there. I look forward to taking more people shots because I haven't got many under my belt and they can be very interesting.

[Robbierob]

I enjoyed the shot and the contrast. For me the contrast demonstrates drama (but it could just be my eye). I would of framed it a little different tho. I understand you were aware of the centering of the subject and were concerned with the negative space, but I would of given it a shot with the rule of 1/3s.

hell kristian, as we have spoken before..he could be one of my long lost uncles , so i cant speak ill of my maltese family.