Dark portrait...

[nitrowigie]

hey guys took this portrait with the intent of it looking a bit dark, (a bit of mystery) do you think i perhaps shot it a bit too dark (right side of his face) some people i have showed think its a bit dark... some other people think it fits the mood. what do you think?

[docxnoel]

Originally Posted by nitrowigie

hey guys took this portrait with the intent of it looking a bit dark, (a bit of mystery) do you think i perhaps shot it a bit too dark (right side of his face) some people i have showed think its a bit dark... some other people think it fits the mood. what do you think?

IMO, the darkness of overall photo suit for the mood, I agree with others that the right side of the face is too dark, at least you use reflectors on that side just to illuminate a little, for me that kind of darkness will be okay if your model is facing on one side only, and the smoke is a bit destruction for me (just for me )

[MrJones]

I get what you were trying to do but for me it is too dark. I don't mind the darkness on the left side of his face but the vignetting really adds more darkness where it's not necessary.

[graciousness]

I actually love it and I completely understand the mood that you are going for with the image. I think this is shot well, despite and inspite of the dark tones as you have great details in the light side where it's needed. The right side balances and sets the mood.

You are trying to find your own style and technique which is fantastic and what really matters, and that is you are taking photos for you. You'll find that your own style may not meet aesthetically with others and really, it doesn't have to. If you love what you have achieved with the images that you have captured, then you have done your job.

Not everybody thrives in the light. Somehow, there must be photographers who must be able to convey the dark side of people and life in the images. I feel that you have technically achieved highlighting your subject by submerging such dark contrasts in his image .

I wish I wasn't so tired and feeling sick as I think I've been a little bit repetitive with what I was trying to say. But I'm sure you understand

Cheers and keep going with your creative instincts.

Grace-

[nitrowigie]

Grace thankyou...
You understand what i am going for. It is very true that a lot of people want to photograph the happy moments, the fun moments, but what i was really going for is the emotion behind the photo, the darkness of the character, trying to tell a story with one frame...

Again, thankyou grace for your kind words, they help me strive to be a better photographer

Mrjones and docxnoel, thankyou also... i take on board all constructive criticism so i thank you for it.
Cheers
Ben

[Bruce A]

I'm really sorry to say this, but even though I think the shot is very well done, to me the guy looks like he'd dead from a gunshot to the mouth. That was my first thought. I think you could have shown the cigarette (do you have to put a health warning ) to tell my brain it wasn't a macabre image.

[graciousness]

Originally Posted by Bruce A

I'm really sorry to say this, but even though I think the shot is very well done, to me the guy looks like he'd dead from a gunshot to the mouth. That was my first thought. I think you could have shown the cigarette (do you have to put a health warning ) to tell my brain it wasn't a macabre image.

If the image has induced or provoked an emotion or a thought, whatever they may be, to the viewer, then I think the photographer has succeeded the intent or vision in his or her work.

Excellent reply, Bruce

[jonnyquest45]

I like it a great deal. I like to shoot one light high on the sharpen gritty dark photos as well.