First black and white portrait

[meaganrose1234]

This is my first portrait. It's a street shot so I didn't have many chances to get it right. I've cropped out the right side because of some weird lighting/shadows. It was done on a point and shoot Sony compact digital. I edited in Photoshop CS5, converting to B&W, increasing the contrast and blurring out the background. I've considered cropping even closer in on the face but don't want to take too much off the background out. My question is this...How does the crop look? I hope I've included enough info for some good feedback, thanks!

Not familiar with all of the EXIF info, very new to this but this is the info I've got...
shutter speed 1/400 sec
F-stop f/4.9
Aperture f/4.9
ISO 100
focal length 18.9mm
no flash

[praline3001]

Excellent detail. The photo was very nicely done HOWEVER I am not a fan of half a face lol

It might be just me but I am partial to whole faces

The image, from what I can see, is extremely well done. I like how the marks and lines on his face came out. That's a lifetime of living right there.

If his face was turned a bit to the side it wouldn't be so bad but the strait on half a face isn't working for me. Is here any way you can photoshop the shadows out of the other side?
There are several techniques that can be used to remove shadows. I have just started learning about layers and masking but if you google *how to* remove shadows photoshop there should be step by step instructions. Its an amazing photo and would be worth it to try and remove the shadow and get a whole face.

[carlyfan]

I actually like the half face thing. It is interesting and different, and sort of gives the impression that we are not getting the whole story. I do have a question though. Did you fake the background? The edges look weird, like you blurred the background in post. I do love the detail though, and how the lighting brings out the lines in his face and detail in his hair. Great job, you have definitely captured some great emotion here!

Lisa

[meaganrose1234]

I did blur out the background in photoshop, as I wanted his face to be the focal point of the image, and the background did nothing for the photo. I do see where the edges are not detailed enough though. I'm still trying to get the hang of photoshop and I am struggling with parts like this. I'm not sure how else to achieve the out of focus background without adding a blur layer, then erasing the blur over the face. I will try some suggestions on the crop as well. Thanks for the input!