trying to learn...

[jax314]

I'm trying to use advice I've received to make better black and whites...here's my latest. Any ideas on contrast/composition?



Nikon D5000
Exposure: 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 35 mm
ISO Speed: 560


Thanks,

[Surprised]

To me (a rank amateur!) this seems like a great shot; I love the contrast between the dark top and the subject's light skin. The only thing I find ever-so-slightly distracting is the bit of hair that dangles in front of the eye -- is the catch-light in the right eye a real catch-light or the end of the subject's hair (or both?!). But apart from that very minor point it looks fantastic to me -- I love it!

[zona5101]

I think you have done well! Exposure looks good, nothing blown out, there is detail in the skin. Got a nice soft shadow of the left giving the image some dimention. Shadow detail in most of the dark area...a few spots are lost into black by it still works. Image is sharp. Yeah you! Very nice.

[jax314]

Thanks!! I will try to clean up that eye with some PP. I think it is both the end of the hair and a little catch light,b ut I agree it is a little distracting....

Thanks again for the thoughts!!

[SusanH1970]

Jaxon, you're definitely improving! This is my favorite so far of what you've posted here. Your conversion looks good, could use a tiny bit of eye brightening so the whites aren't grey. The lighting is lovely - just enough shadowing to give it some depth. You could even crop a bit in from the top to put the eyes more in the top third. Your focus is excellent. How are you doing your conversions?

[jax314]

Thank you....

For the conversions, I'm simply using Photoshop and adjusting sliders......that's really all I know how to do right now.

I'll take suggestions though!!

[jax314]

Is this crop better?? Eyes are in top third, with his left eye right in a rule of thirds intersection point.....