What’s Your Preference?

Matthew_Scullion · #1 (**permalink**) 01-03-2011, 06:25 PM

HI all, I took this shot on Boxing Day in a place called Dunham Park, Cheshire, UK. Apologies if you have seen it already as I placed it in SYS last week.

General critique welcomed but specifically on composition and also, I am concerned that the face isn't sufficiently contrasted from the background. Do you agree?

Shot was taken on Nikon D70 with a 50mm f/1.4 lens, f/3.2, 1/160, ISO 200, spot metered on face. For post prod I used NX2 and PhotoMatix Pro.

Best viewed large on black.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

SwissJon · #2 (**permalink**) 01-03-2011, 08:52 PM

I agree with the contrast, but adjusting them on the B&W photo just accentuates the bags under his eyes and the scar on his nose.. I think you could have a play with different colour levels after you converted to B&W but before you save and lose the colour information, I can't do it because I don't have any of the colour information from the original.

As far as the composition goes.. It's an interesting photo but I'm not sure what story you're trying to tell. He looks like he might be a homeless guy, but there's no evidence of that in the photo, only the scar on his nose that comes out when I increased the contrast.. Maybe the photo would have been better if you pulled back a little to give him in a context, or have him not look at the camera directly, thereby leading the person looking at the photo to wonder what he was looking at? It would help us understand the photo.

Matthew_Scullion · #3 (**permalink**) 01-03-2011, 10:43 PM

Hi Jon,

Thanks for the feedback. Firstly, this fine looking young chap is my step father - not a homeless guy! But I promise not to tell him what you said!

As regards the story telling aspect, I was trying to draw out the age and interest in the face. Nothing much further than that.

I will have a further play with the contrast using the colour levels as you suggest. Thanks for the suggestion!

edbayani · #4 (**permalink**) 01-04-2011, 09:57 AM

yes the face is dark and soft. you can lighten the face before dong any contrast adjustments, to draw out the age. also if you can show more of the lower portion and less of the sides.
attached sample of what i mean.

SwissJon · #5 (**permalink**) 01-04-2011, 10:53 AM

Ummm.. Ooops!

Appologies to the fine gentleman.

I think you might have got a slightly stronger photo if he turned ever so slightly and looked at you from the corner of his eyes, or looking away. That way you could have had him slightly off centre, which would have helped with the story.

Having him look directly at the lens, full faced, completely central like that, with the even light on both sides gives me the feeling that it's a passport photograph. Have you got a flash that works off camera? A little bit of fill in flash from a slight angle might have highlighted his fine, outstanding, not at all homeless person like, features better and made the photograph slightly less symetrical.

But hey, it's all about playing and trying out new ideas huh? If you hadn't asked for critique, I would have looked at the photo with interest and enjoyed it for what it is.. A nice portrait.

Matthew_Scullion · #6 (**permalink**) 01-10-2011, 04:50 PM

Jon, sorry for the delay in my thanks. All the input is much appreciated!

Ed, I really like your crop but have to say am not so keen on the B&W treatment you have gone for. Many thanks though.

Cheers guys!

AdrenoJunkie · #7 (**permalink**) 01-10-2011, 05:47 PM

I do agree that the face isn't sufficently contrasted from the background. I don't think you have enough tonal contrast over the entire image. How did you do your conversion? I like your idea of trying to draw out the age and character in his face and he is a good subject for it. I had a go at it to see if my idea of how to accomplish that would work, kind of a test of my own PP skills. Here's what I got. If you like it I'll tell you how I did it, it only took 5-10min. You could easily go heavier with it and have a more artistic effect but I was tryin to keep it natural.