Tone & Crop Query

[315edith]

I am a new DSLR user and an amateur in photography. I've not yet tried to apply the M mode as I am still getting to know my camera.I like shooting people portraits and usually present it in monochrome. I just want to know if its just ok to apply high tonal strength with this picture style? Had I overdone it? How about the cropping?
I know there are flaws in this shot since I did not consider the setting or venue. This was shot under the 9am sun...I am particularly asking for the proper photo processing with regard to toning and cropping. Originally shot in color, JPEG. But I also welcome other suggestions that would improve my future portrait shots. I appreciate a lot your valuable comments and suggestions. Thank you!



EOS 500D
AV Mode : Auto
Exposure: 0.005 sec
Aperture: f/5.6
FL : 55mm
ISO: 100
0EV
Flash:Fired

[315edith]

Well...I guess this shot may not attract any suggestive thoughts as no one among the viewers as of this time gave a word of any shape. But you may be the first brave one. Thanks...

[VeryBeginner]

I am also very new to photography, but I generally like this shot. I think you could have taken it without the hat on, I find the stark contrast between the highlight of the hat and the dark forehead and eyes distracting. Also I feel the curve of the hat leads my eyes out of the top of the photo.

The eyes in this shot are good, there is good dark tone in the iris compared the whites of the eyes and the grey skin.

[bikingbadger]

Originally Posted by VeryBeginner

I am also very new to photography, but I generally like this shot. I think you could have taken it without the hat on, I find the stark contrast between the highlight of the hat and the dark forehead and eyes distracting. Also I feel the curve of the hat leads my eyes out of the top of the photo.

The eyes in this shot are good, there is good dark tone in the iris compared the whites of the eyes and the grey skin.

I agree that the hat causes some distraction with the line on the face. Its sort of like in landscape photography where placing the horizon in the center of the shot breaks up the photo.

[315edith]

Originally Posted by VeryBeginner

I am also very new to photography, but I generally like this shot. I think you could have taken it without the hat on, I find the stark contrast between the highlight of the hat and the dark forehead and eyes distracting. Also I feel the curve of the hat leads my eyes out of the top of the photo.

The eyes in this shot are good, there is good dark tone in the iris compared the whites of the eyes and the grey skin.

Thank you, yeah the highlights and shadows are remarkable as the picture was taken under the bright sun. But if the hat was removed, the details around or on the eyes may be washed out...or this man may look like a raccoon as the eyes could appear very dark This is the flaw that I mentioned above where some rules were not followed. This was a sort of an ambush shot, no preparations prior to it. Perhaps it may be better if the image was not cropped where the full view of the hat was shown. But I just wanted to emphasize the face and the eyes so I cropped it this way...however as you have said, the curve of the hat leads the eyes out of the top. So I would consider this to improve my future portrait shots. Thanks, the tone was just right.

[315edith]

Originally Posted by bikingbadger

I agree that the hat causes some distraction with the line on the face. Its sort of like in landscape photography where placing the horizon in the center of the shot breaks up the photo.

Thanks bikingbadger, I would consider that. Your inputs are very much appreciated.

[aishuclickz]

first of all, gr8 shot as a beginner...

the hat is ok.. except it seems cropped at the edge.. if the hat was in frame completely, it would have looked even better

[315edith]

Originally Posted by aishuclickz

first of all, gr8 shot as a beginner...

the hat is ok.. except it seems cropped at the edge.. if the hat was in frame completely, it would have looked even better

Oh, I see...! I have not thought about that...thank you!