Portrait without a face (cobbler)

[S_Sanyal]

The cobbler who fixed my watch strap! My first attempt at alternate portraiture (as I struggle too much w the mainstream one )



Gear: Pentax K1000 with Sunagor Multimacro 135 mm f = 1: 2.8 with Fujifilm Neopan100SS film (scanned negative)
EXIF: f = 135 mm (fullframe); 1/60s, f/4 ISO100

Hi, this is an attempt at story telling without focussing on a person's face itself. I felt the rough hands and the glimpse of the tools were more poignant than the person's face.I would appreciate feedback on the composition, the tones, how they came out here and the overall approach to the picture. Also whether this works in black and white. I was shooting monochrome film, so the heavy textures of skin, wood etc. interested me. Thanks in advance.

[deck]

Hi S_Sanyal,

I love the way the black and white brings out the textures of the fingers and the wood, but whenever you're doing b&w, try to make the composition simple, there are some distracting elements in the photo like the arc in the lower right, the black tool in the upper left and the elements between the leg and the longer arm.
Composition is fine, with the arm and the wood pointing to the subject with is the watch, needs more improvement though, next time try to go low... very low, maybe on the level of the foot... IMHO

[S_Sanyal]

Thanks Derrick, those were some very useful points, I'll remember that and work depending on situation; I agree that in this case, the impact would have been more without the arc, somehow I felt the tools were important to convey something about who the hands belong to.

The original post was as shot, I tried a crop here; I have mixed feelings about it, tell me if you think it works better. I'm not possesive about my pictures, so you're welcome to go ahead and try something that you feel improves them.

Thanks again for your feedback.

[deck]

Hi S_Sanyal,

The space between the leg and the longer arm is distracting, with the new crop I feel that even though it enhances the composition of the arms and the location of the watch, it also enhances the distracting area I'm mentioning about, try to look at each photo, and squint and see which pops out more...

Honestly, I think the first photo works better

[BigFuzzy]

***EDIT*** Comment removed***EDIT***
Nevermind, i only realized after the fact who the original poster was, so I've deleted my comment since he's stated he doesn't respect me or my opinion.

[S_Sanyal]

I agree with you Derrick, I Iike the first too

Hahaha, Hi Al, nice to hear from you.dont get all emotional, lets just try and see the (big)picture and let personal bygones be left behind! C'mon take your shot at this,seriously, I may (pleasantly?) surprise you as a changed man C'maaawn...Give it to me!

[danbaileyphoto]

Awesome shot! These kinds of detail oriented shots really tell a story and invoke the viewer's imagination. Anytime you do that, you've created a strong image that will hold attention for a longer period of time while the viewer's eye explores the shot. Great job!

[S_Sanyal]

Thanks, Daniel..!