Portrait Critique Please

[PhotoGnat]

I've recently switched to my telephoto lens to start doing portraits and this was one of my first attempts. I'm pretty happy overall with the shot, composition and lighting. But would really appreciate any feedback I could get to help get better. Thanks in advance everyone!

Exif data

Camera Canon EOS REBEL T2i
Exposure 0.013 sec (1/80)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 55 mm
ISO Speed 2000

[S_Sanyal]

I like the shot, its interesting that you included the front of train in your shot. Its speaks of an attitude on the model's part. Also nice lighting and natural tones.

I'd only suggest crop out the pink neon signs in the background, without losing the train, as they are a bit of a distraction.

The only other thing that seems odd is to wear glares in an indoor space, but then again its a matter of choice

[brun0sa]

I don't like those lights from the train... They are very strong.
When I look at this photo, my attention goes to those lights, not this his face.
(and a little crop on the top, as said before)

I like the model, his attitude. And the photo simplicity too, I like it.

[sheil]

Originally Posted by S_Sanyal

I'd only suggest crop out the pink neon signs in the background, without losing the train, as they are a bit of a distraction.

Agreed. The one at the top-right is especially distracting because it's so bright.

[PhotoGnat]

Thanks for the suggestion everyone. I got rid of the red lights but I like the backlights from the train too much to get rid of them. Hope this works better.

[Mso]

It works better for me. Great shot. I like the lights from the train...

[Bruce A]

The lights are still too distracting - they attract the eyes immediately. I certainly like the shot though!

[BigFuzzy]

A. It's a very good shot and I love how you used the train lights as a back/rim light.
B. The train lights are still a bit distracting. Can you tone them down without actually removing them?
C. I'm somehow not loving the composition though I can't really figure out why. I'm thinking a landscape shot with more space on one of the sides? Sorry I can't give more specific feedback on this, but I do know the composition feels a bit off for me.
D. How about cloning out the signs on the walls to the left and make it all black? Should be fairly easy..

Having said all that, i still like the image a lot.

[PhotoGnat]

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

A. It's a very good shot and I love how you used the train lights as a back/rim light.
B. The train lights are still a bit distracting. Can you tone them down without actually removing them?
C. I'm somehow not loving the composition though I can't really figure out why. I'm thinking a landscape shot with more space on one of the sides? Sorry I can't give more specific feedback on this, but I do know the composition feels a bit off for me.
D. How about cloning out the signs on the walls to the left and make it all black? Should be fairly easy..

Having said all that, i still like the image a lot.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try those when I get home and post. I think the composition might be that he is leaning slightly to the left, or the right as you look at the picture. I'll see if I can fix that too and hopefully will have a much better shot. BTW love your work, you take awesome shots.

[jimmyl]

Love the shot. I do agree with BigFuzzy about trying to tone down the train lights a little. Sure the signs on the wall are a little distracting but I'm not sure about cloning them out all together. For me the signs add some authenticity to the photo. Maybe darken and blur the signs a little to take away a bit of the focus.