B&W male portrait (headshot)

Looking for some C&C for this headshot of my brother-in-law. Especially interested in critique concerning post processing and lighting.

First, great tones and lighting! What throws me off (this might be minor) is the depth of field, it's almost like a circular mask was applied and given a lens blur effect. But overall a very nice headshot! Congrats.

k-lo wrote in post #14351973
First, great tones and lighting! What throws me off (this might be minor) is the depth of field, it's almost like a circular mask was applied and given a lens blur effect. But overall a very nice headshot! Congrats.

Thank you, and you are correct. I tried using PS CS6 Beta Iris blur, and I understand there's especially a discrepency when it comes to the nose and chin.

Before I applied the blur I felt like the sharpness of the shirt, side of his head and the ear somehow toke part of the focus away from his eyes. It was shot @ 200mm f/11 on the 5D.

Here's what it look like without the blur:

I prefer it without the blur. Nice shot. My only crit is shame you chopped off the top of his head and the light on the shirt is a bit too bright - perhaps tone that down.

Hannya wrote in post #14352098
I prefer it without the blur. Nice shot. My only crit is shame you chopped off the top of his head and the light on the shirt is a bit too bright - perhaps tone that down.

Thank you. About the crop; I was under the impression that in a tight headshot you usually cut out just the top of the head. I did all the copping in camera, but I did several shots that wasn't as tight. However, I felt that they felt more formal while the tighter crop made it feel more intimate.

fi20100 wrote in post #14352110
Thank you. About the crop; I was under the impression that in a tight headshot you usually cut out just the top of the head. I did all the copping in camera, but I did several shots that wasn't as tight. However, I felt that they felt more formal while the tighter crop made it feel more intimate.

I guess that's down to taste, but I just feel that his hair is interesting, with the grey/blond bit in front and the texture, its just a shame you can't enjoy it all

k-lo wrote in post #14351973
First, great tones and lighting! What throws me off (this might be minor) is the depth of field, it's almost like a circular mask was applied and given a lens blur effect. But overall a very nice headshot! Congrats.

Amen to this. Why such shallow DOF? When you think of studio work and adequate lighting, you think of sharp detail throughout right? I like the shot with all the detail shown better.

I like it sans-blur too. I would clone out the lower of the dual catchlights in his eyes though and maybe clone in a stronger upper catchlight in the left eye.
It's a great head shot and I'm kind of leaning toward wanting to see the rest of his hair because of the blond streak being so unusual - I want to see how far back it goes.

Thanks guys

The one without the blur looks much better.
Great light.

Agree the blur isn't working. The image is quite nice, well lit and exposed. But switching to portrait mode and keeping his head about him would be in order I believe. Cropping heads and ears and such is OK for more casual portraits but not for formal stuff.