Portraits - soft vs sharp

[plangereis]

Originally Posted by B..

First one.

The second one is also soft around the eyes. If the second was telling a story that needed such softness, that could work, except I don't see any such story with the second one. When I see soft portraits that I like, generally the eyes are still in sharp focus.

I agree with this comment about the eyes not being in focus. One thing I find a little disconcerting about the first one, and it is definitely not the composition, but more the "texture/ marks" on the face. This may be freckles, but it is hard to tell. Did you sharpen this photo? If so, maybe it is over-sharpened? Just curious. Having said this, I do like the first one the best, though!

[Ginger Pixie]

Originally Posted by B..

First one.

The second one is also soft around the eyes. If the second was telling a story that needed such softness, that could work, except I don't see any such story with the second one. When I see soft portraits that I like, generally the eyes are still in sharp focus.

Thanks. I appreciate your thoughts.

Originally Posted by plangereis

I agree with this comment about the eyes not being in focus. One thing I find a little disconcerting about the first one, and it is definitely not the composition, but more the "texture/ marks" on the face. This may be freckles, but it is hard to tell. Did you sharpen this photo? If so, maybe it is over-sharpened? Just curious. Having said this, I do like the first one the best, though!

Thanks. He has lots of freckles, and I'm a freckle fan, so I didn't want to smooth them away.

[Johnny Canuck]

I think it depends on what the shot is meant to say: "intensity"? - the first one. "Friendship and openness"? - the second one.

[Ginger Pixie]

Originally Posted by Johnny Canuck

I think it depends on what the shot is meant to say: "intensity"? - the first one. "Friendship and openness"? - the second one.

Thanks. They certainly have very different vibes.

I think I may have confused nice shot of shy friend who rarely smiles for the camera with good shot though.

Perhaps personal bias towards someone stops you from being objective. The more I look at the second shot, the more I dislike it now!

[Insomniaq]

I gotta go with the sharp photo...personally i think my brain has programmed my eyes to want see everything clearly..iono, maybe im a lil looney. LOL

[newPerspective]

I know you have already decided, but just wanted to add my 2 pesos: I really like how the first one has turned out, it works very well in B&W. Nicely done.

[Ginger Pixie]

Originally Posted by Insomniaq

I gotta go with the sharp photo...personally i think my brain has programmed my eyes to want see everything clearly..iono, maybe im a lil looney. LOL

Fair enough

Thanks.

Originally Posted by newPerspective

I know you have already decided, but just wanted to add my 2 pesos: I really like how the first one has turned out, it works very well in B&W. Nicely done.

Thank you very much