High contrast B&W done well?

[sosaysthehermit]

I love black and white portraits, but I can't ever seem to get the right look to them. I like the higher contrast I suppose, but I'm wondering it the darks are TOO dark in this, mainly around his face. I was wanting the main focus to be his fat rolls on his arms and legs.

Any suggestions on cropping/ editing would be wonderful.

Lighting was from a north facing window

EXIF:
Exposure:0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/3.5
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 800
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

[Benji]

Getting a good photograph is a lot like baking a good cake. With good (proper) ingredients and the correct baking time you will probably wind up with a good cake.

The word photograph means light writing. So good lighting is the main ingredient in getting a good photograph, but there are several more ingredients that are needed to get a good photograph. A good pose, good (proper) exposure in both the highlights AND the shadows, a good expression and the "message" of the image. If all of the ingredients that are needed to obtain a good photograph are added at the proper time chances are you will have a good photograph. This is also why it is so difficult to get a really good photograph. Yes it is easy to get comments of "nice shot" or "looks good to me" or even "I wish mine looked like that" but to get "wow, that shots rocks" or "it is perfect" is very difficult. Some people are content with nice shot comments, but others are not. You need to decide where you want to go with this.

In your image the lighting is not good lighting, the shadows are way too dark, the keys draw our attention from the child, 1/2 of the child is missing and the background is distracting.

I don't want to come across as mean or harsh, but the critique forum is where critique is given.

Benji

[hibou]

The bright spot in the back draws my attention away from the child. You could have changed your angle, or clone it out in post now. The keys are also competing for attention. I don't mind the dark shadows, but I do mind that the light isn't on what you want the focus of the photo to be.

I guess this is pretty much what Benji said, minus the lecture.

[dave.turley]

I like it. My eye wasn't drawn to the keys but the hand. Alkthough the lighting gives a dark image, it's not one that jars with me. That baby is squidgy and beautiful! Getting on a childs level helps.
Dave

[LoveDSLR]

I prefer lower contrast.

[cherrygirl]

I love black and white but this one just seems muddy. I think Benji is right about the light and I think that there isn't much connection with the baby looking down and your camera angle a little too high.

The baby looks very huggable (sp?)!!

[daddyoproductions]

Benji is like Simon Cowell...he may feel harsh sometimes, but I always agree with him! Thanks Benji for all the great critiques.

He is a cutie (not Benji, the baby), love the chub! You could try washing it out and see about getting a faux high key look? Sometimes that's a cool effect.
~C

[MSidPhoto]

Nice portrait, in my opiniion.
The focus on the eyes may not matter in your photo because the focus on the hands it pretty good.
Good work

[TwoFeetForward]

I agree that the lower contrast is preferable, but my biggest critique is the crop at the joint. From what I've learned, cropping people off away from joints (ex. mid-forearm instead of elbow) makes it look like they have all their limbs. At first glance, I thought the baby only had one leg. I would recommend either moving the crop towards the baby's face and diaper, or (if the original composition will permit) move out past the baby's missing hip.

On the other hand, the picture is precious. What a darling baby! The photo really expresses child-like curiosity and their darling chubby-ness, and the B&W makes it seem like a timeless picture.