Portrait for 944

I have to submit my picture for a contributing photographer bio that will hopefully go in to 944 magazine's April issue. If you don't know what 944 is, it's a trendy people watching/fashion/what'​s in type of magazine so think Maxim style shoots but even more illustrative in its photoshop afterwork. Check out www.944.com

Here's the bio I'm sending them also

The owner of ImagineTNT, Reuben melds his passion for design, fashion, and beauty into his photography. A graduate of the University of California in San Diego with a degree in computer graphics, Poon has experience on both sides of the camera and works closely with fashion expert Leonard Simpson and fellow photographer Barry Schwartz. Learn more about ImagineTNT, experience their work at www.imagineTNT.com.

Anyway, I want to do something cooler than your standard (usually horrible quality) contributor portrait. So here's something I played around with. Any thoughts or other ideas?

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The shot seems to fit the mag's image with the hard lines. You're "style" is even more in line with the magazine (cool hair). One suggestion would be to keep your eye's clear of any lines- so move the whole grid over to the right 3/8". Personally, I'd lose the lines, but I am not familiar with the mag- go with what you feel is right.

Good suggestion about the lines over the eyes. Yah, I wasn't so sure about the lines but I want to do some sort of "edgy, hip" treatment to the photo. Basically think what's in, what's hot, and trendy and that's the magazine. So I want something that goes along with that because this will help get me in for more editorial photoshoots with them and the corporate type people who check out the mag (which has a HUGE circulation in Los Angeles, Vegas, San Diego, and Phoenix because it's a free pub).

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Reuben,

Three comments:

1) The gray looks awful. It has the same appearance as gray plastic, or the makeup used by a really really low budget SF Film trying to simulate silver skin. What are you using as a mono conversion tool? Try Channel Mixer (at least) to get some texture and shading on the monochrome.

2) The choice of shirt seems to be competing with, not complementing, your overall theme.

3) I had checks that looked like this (grid-line graphic style) back in 1981. Now, I will be the first to admit that I do not have an education in design, fashion and beauty, but is this still trendy, edgy and hip? Seems kind of dated - stuck in the '80's - and somewhat clichéd to me.

Best of luck,

Rad

81? then its about time it comes back...like everything else does.. Better break out the parachute pants, head bands and red Reeboks!

Seriously, its very different to me, well, different from the "norm" good for a mag shot.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
-zacker-

OK, I kinda like this one. Thoughts?

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I like this one better than the first. Grabs your attention.

Cool, I sent in the last one and a plain one (no effects). Thanks for the suggestions, everyone.

I like the latter one better for this reason:

The first one is sending me messages about industrial design - not fashion.

Maybe it's just my warped thinking, but that's the way I see it.

The latter one does not give me that kind of impression at all, and it is not as cluttered. Clean and simple but different!

Here's a sincere question that I've been wanting to ask a professional - do two catch lights in each eye seem normal to you?

Bob...I'm starting to see the dual catch lights left in more often...maybe it's the new thing.

Anyway, as for a maxim style shoot...I'd say this chick is way too ugly to ever be in Maxim. But what do I know? Seriously, I like the first idea better...although it's too late I guess. Maybe with different colors, like Rad suggested.