Portrait of a friend...

[scootermcq]

Just messing around tonight, and wanted people's feelings about this picture.

How do you feel about the pose? Lighting OK, or too dark? How about the light wrap on the face and shadows?



Camera: Nikon D60
Exposure: 0.004 sec (1/250)
Aperture: f/9.0
Focal Length: 52 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV

[highlightstudio]

Generally I like it. The pose is interesting, with lean to our right it almost appears as though he is leaning out of the frame, even his beard is leaning this way. And the way his left shoulder almost merges with the background adds to that impression I think. I may have even decreased the exposure a little more in that area just to add to the effect, of course it depends on what you want to portray. The wrap around is pretty nice, adding that little higlight of colour on the hat. It seems like there miht be a disconnect in the expression of the mouth and eyes though, but I can't quite place it. Almost like there is too much expression in the eyes when there is none in the mouth. But I have not done much in the way of creative/expressive portaiture so it might just be me.

Nicely done.

[Surprised]

I'm a rank amateur but I think this is a really powerful portrait: the pose, with those piercing eyes looking straight out, is very engaging. It seems a little dark to me, but (as highlightstudio says) the fact that his left shoulder merges into the background adds something. Great shot!

[sk66]

I think the image is slightly awkward in that it "feels" like it's been rotated.
I think the crop is a bit "loose", but the lighting is pretty good. Attached is an edit...just a little tighter crop and a touch of fill (primarily noticeable on the hat feather). *I* feel like the crop removes some "black" which wasn't adding much and makes the eyes "stronger" compositionally...it also removes a little more of the "leaning feel".

Just my 2c....feel free to ignore.
(pic deleted from my machine)

[zona5101]

i think you nailed it.

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by sk66

I think the image is slightly awkward in that it "feels" like it's been rotated.
I think the crop is a bit "loose", but the lighting is pretty good. Attached is an edit...just a little tighter crop and a touch of fill (primarily noticeable on the hat feather). *I* feel like the crop removes some "black" which wasn't adding much and makes the eyes "stronger" compositionally...it also removes a little more of the "leaning feel".

Just my 2c....feel free to ignore.
(pic deleted from my machine)

I see your point on the tighter crop than I did, and I appreciate your input. I think I will edit my original as you have demonstrated.

To the rest, thanks, for the kind words.

Scott

[Benji]

The lighting is quite nice actually. The lean is a bit disconcerting, but livable. Generally speaking men should lean "over the belt buckle" in the same direction they are facing. The head should be parallel to the backbone or tipped slightly to the masculine shoulder.

Benji