My first with my Mark II

[meganhurtphotography]

So I recently went from a Rebel to a Mark II (recently meaning yesterday) and I am just learning the ropes on this new beast (boy is it heavier). This is my first edited picture with the new camera. I wanted to get everyone's opinion on the photograph.
Editing included some adjusting in Raw Edit and then using the Portrait Professional Program to fix the skin.
My main question is what do you think of the stuff done in PP. I want to make sure it doesn't look to fake and "photoshopped." But I welcome all opinions on the picture. (P.S. First time using a Speedlite too!)
Photo is here: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hHkVlR0F93...ir_0023_pp.jpg

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by meganhurtphotography

So I recently went from a Rebel to a Mark II (recently meaning yesterday) and I am just learning the ropes on this new beast (boy is it heavier). This is my first edited picture with the new camera. I wanted to get everyone's opinion on the photograph.
Editing included some adjusting in Raw Edit and then using the Portrait Professional Program to fix the skin.
My main question is what do you think of the stuff done in PP. I want to make sure it doesn't look to fake and "photoshopped." But I welcome all opinions on the picture. (P.S. First time using a Speedlite too!)
Photo is here: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hHkVlR0F93...ir_0023_pp.jpg

maybe a little much on the skin smoothing...probably OK if the subject was a female, but not on this rugged young man. I think backing it down a bit to get a little more texture on his skin would help

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by autofocus

maybe a little much on the skin smoothing...probably OK if the subject was a female, but not on this rugged young man. I think backing it down a bit to get a little more texture on his skin would help

In total agreement. That much skin smoothing for a guy is definitely a bit overdone. It also appears to be oversharpened - see how the highlights in his hair look like pinpricks? The whites of his eyes and his teeth look a tad too bright as well.

How did you use your speedlight? I'm seeing pinpoint catchlights and pretty flat lighting as well as a few highlights on his nose.

Other than those issues, nicely done. I love his expression and the tight crop - my eyes go straight to his.

[private]

I like the lighting - I think his skin is a bit too smooth - would work well/OK on a woman but not a man. I think the sharpness could be the moisturizer that he is using in his hair and its reflecting b/c of the flash. BUT it does look sharp. The one thing is that his hair seems to blend in with the b/g - if there was some sort of separation btw the b/g and hair - it would make it a bit better - IMO

WHat is the exif data BTW - I LOVE the mkII, it is HEAVY, heavier with the "brick" (24-70) but its awesome. BUT as you know, its really not about the camera...

[meganhurtphotography]

Originally Posted by private

I like the lighting - I think his skin is a bit too smooth - would work well/OK on a woman but not a man. I think the sharpness could be the moisturizer that he is using in his hair and its reflecting b/c of the flash. BUT it does look sharp. The one thing is that his hair seems to blend in with the b/g - if there was some sort of separation btw the b/g and hair - it would make it a bit better - IMO

WHat is the exif data BTW - I LOVE the mkII, it is HEAVY, heavier with the "brick" (24-70) but its awesome. BUT as you know, its really not about the camera...

It is actually moisturizer in his hair that's reflecting light, it's sheen spray. He had sprayed it in his hair, but the oil hadn't been rubbed in to it was still droplets in his hair. And the background was white. The black at the top is believe it or not, more hair. When I uped the contrast in Photoshop, it darkened the top even more. Here is the orginial before ANY editing, and you can see more pics of all his hair (he keeps it braided) on my blog meganhurtphoto.blogspot.com

Exposure Mode: Auto
Focal Length: 160.0 MM
Lens: EF70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM
F/: 5.0
Shutter Speed: 1/25
ISO: 100
Flash: Fired, compulsory mode
metering mode: Eval
Subject distance: 1.7 m

[meganhurtphotography]

Sorry, the upload didn't work for the site, so I just used flickr.