B&W conversion? Too distracting?

[bullychk04]

Hey guys, this is my first post on the crit section. This picture is also my avitar, because I just love the expression on his face. Anyway, I've been trying to play around w/ B&W conversions, paying attention to backgrounds, working w/ a new lens, etc. Here are my questions:

1. How do you think this conversion came out? How do you think I could improve?
2. I realized after I edited this picture, the bars on the sides of the truck he was sitting in may be distracting. What are your thoughts? I didn't crop this pic, as far as cropping goes, this is sooc.
3. Any other feedback you can give would be greatly appreciated

EXIF info:
D3100
f2.0
1/200
50mm
ISO 100
Flash did not fire

[ajax_andy]

I really like the shot!

I think the conversion works well, I like the bar on the left as it frame the picture, but the one on the right needs to be the same... the gap after it just makes the image feel a little bit off.

I also think the face is ever so slightly over exposed... was this shot using natural light, or with flash?

Its a great capture though, and its an interesting photo due to the setting and pose

[bullychk04]

Hey there! Thank you! It was shot using natural light, it was about 9am. I did bring the brightness up a bit since we were in the shade (backyard, lots of trees lol), and the sooc looked a tad underexposed to me. Maybe I'll try bringing down the brightness a tad. I'll also try to crop the right side of the bar. I'm just nervous I'll cut his fingers off lol.

Thanks for your input!

[ajax_andy]

Originally Posted by bullychk04

Hey there! Thank you! It was shot using natural light, it was about 9am. I did bring the brightness up a bit since we were in the shade (backyard, lots of trees lol), and the sooc looked a tad underexposed to me. Maybe I'll try bringing down the brightness a tad. I'll also try to crop the right side of the bar. I'm just nervous I'll cut his fingers off lol.

Thanks for your input!

Actually i'm re-evaluating my comments on the over exposure... I think I might be wrong and you got it spot on... Lets see what other people think as i'm doubting my own eyes now

[IABoomer]

I think the B&W conversion is good. There are solid black and white areas as opposed to flat gray. I might like a bit more midtone contrast or some more overall contrast, but that's personal preference.

I think the composition is strong. If anything, I might like to see it just a bit wider and use the bars, seat, and roof of the car to frame him in. Otherwise, cropping tighter on the right might help. I don't know if the top of his head was visible and got cut off in camera or if the roofline of the car cropped off the top of his head, but it's something to look at for future shots.

The focus looks slightly off. His eyes and face look a bit soft and his collar looks sharp. Given you're shooting at close range with a wide aperture, you'll end up with a very shallow DoF. Based on what you list for equipment, I'm guessing you're using the older 50 f/1.8 and not the newer AF-S one, so you're stuck manually focusing. A little sharpening might crisp up the edges some, but don't go haywire with it.

[BigFuzzy]

It's a great moment captured and I think you did a good job with exposure and b/w conversion.

Having said that, and take into account this is my pet peeve (though I think many agree), the image is ruined due to the lack of focus in his eyes. You as a parent and other non-photographers likely will like it (and that's often enough as they're the clients most of the time) but for me, it's a missed opportunity. If you were competing for clients and another photographer had a very similar image with sharp eyes, then they would have noticed, I promise.
Focus seems to be on his collar.
Get that right and this would have been a zinger!
Keep shooting!

[bullychk04]

Thanks for your feedback! Yup, I'm using the 50mm 1.8, so getting used to manually focusing is a challenge. My plan is to purchase the AF-S 50mm 1.4 in the very near future, I've rented it a few times and am absolutely in love with it.

I see what you mean by the top of his head getting cut off, I think you're right. I think I might have cut it off taking the photo :/ Something to look for in the future.

I also thought it seemed a bit out of focus, but I thought maybe it was my eyes...it's been a rough few weeks around here :P I will def work on that BigFuzzy! Thanks for the encouragement and advice!

[bullychk04]

Okie dokie, I cropped the right side of the photo. I tried sharpening it a bit, but it really doesn't do any good.

BigFuzzy's right, gotta make sure those eyes are sharp! Next time....

[bullychk04]

So ummm....I guess it would help if I attach the picture
I thought I did it before.

[Peely22]

I'm with Fuzzy on this.
I would try practising your PP skills and see if there is any way you can rescue/enhance the appearance of focus on the eyes.
I also have the 50, and am guilty of going too wide with it. 2.8 should be perfect, even more with this light, and it will be more forgiving with your focus.