What’s Your Preference?

ElCapitan · #1 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011, 04:14 PM

This is a shot of Rick Iannucci. He is a rancher south of Santa Fe, NM. He is a really great guy and fun to photograph. I would love to get some opinions on this shot. My main questions are:

1 ) Does the horses head being out of the DOF break the image? It bugs me a little, but at the same time it draws the eye to the real subject that is sharp.

2) aAe the eyes too intense? Should I tone them down a bit or does that intense look work?

EXIF:
Canon 5D MkII
Canon 100mm Macro f/2.8
ISO 100
Shutter speed: 1/100
Aperture f/3.5
No flash

Michael_nine22.com · #2 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011, 06:09 PM

1. Yeah, I would tone it down a bit

2. Yes it does, it would be ok if it was out of focus a little but that is just big time out of the DOF, I think its because I can see the eyes of the horse and they are blurry are why...

Doug Sundseth · #3 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011, 07:28 PM

The photo feels oversharpened throughout, but the eyes are notably too bright. The out-of-focus horse's head bothers me too, especially because he seems to be more interested in you than the primary subject is.

I'd also move the frame a bit to the right, putting the cowboy about 2/5 of the way into the frame instead of right in the middle as now.

Those comments aside, I really like the subject, the lighting is quite nice, and the sky works well as a backdrop. I hope you get a chance to do something like this again.

ElCapitan · #4 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011, 08:40 PM

Thanks for the thoughts. Think I am going to stick with another that I like.

Doug. I not not add any sharpening to the image.

fais54 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011, 09:03 PM

I like it! I think it could be a tad bit warmer. Also, the out of focus horse is a bit distracting to me. Some people may like it, but it's not my favorite thing.

Doug Sundseth · #6 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011, 09:18 PM

I think it might be a combination or the lighting, the salt-and-pepper mustache, and the trim on the hat (especially the trim) that gave me the impression of sharpening.

ElCapitan · #7 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011, 10:53 PM

This is the image I like much better anyways. I just needed to hear that the first image needed to be cut. I really wanted to like it, but alas it was not meant to be. This image should have the same EXIF.

Doug Sundseth · #8 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011, 11:32 PM

That's a gorgeous portrait. The composition is excellent, the falloff in light from the lit to the shadowed side of the face is beautiful, the colors are excellent.

I wish I had taken it.

ElCapitan · #9 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Sundseth

That's a gorgeous portrait. The composition is excellent, the falloff in light from the lit to the shadowed side of the face is beautiful, the colors are excellent.

I wish I had taken it.

I was very lucky with the light. It was off and on all afternoon due to the moving storms. At this point the clouds were perfect and the light was diffused.

I work at a photography workshop, so I am only able to snap photos of the models when the participants are changing gear or checking out the photos they just took, so I don't have a whole lot of time. I wasn't able to use a flash and really didn't want to use a higher ISO. This is why the other shot the horses head was out of the DOF. Using the 100mm and how far away I was, I am not sure how high of an ISO I would have had to use to get the right aperture.