I don't think I'm brave enough for this.

[walkbyshooter]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/6615380...in/photostream

In all honesty, my photography is lacking in the critique department. I don't have many people to go to because it's a nasty, cut throat field where I am. So have at it folks. What's good? What could be better?

[Rentham]

You'll definitely get more replies if you follow the critique forum guidelines and embed the picture instead of just the link.

For this image I sort of like the symmetrical nature of it, but if you're going to do the symmetry thing make sure you have everything lined up. Having him just off center of the middle column bothers me. Either have him well off to the side or directly in the middle.

I think the image would have also benefit from some flash or strobe work. I would have dropped the ambient down a little bit, moved him away from the facade slightly, and light him with flash to make him really come forward in the frame.

Otherwise I like the image and strong graphical elements. Keep posting.

[Jeremy Tan]

Hi, walkbyshooter!

That's a pretty near photograph! I'm still new when it comes to photography, so don't take my words as the real thing. In my honest opinion, you can afford to crop it closer to your subject, and like Rentham suggested, I would have him stand slightly to the right; the column protruding out of his head is one of those things I was taught not to do, but this was back in high school and I didn't pay very much attention then, lol.

To be fair, it's a pretty great photograph with just some minor detail that stand out. Awesome shot.

[Doug Sundseth]

Exposure: Looks just a bit underexposed to me.

Sharpness: Hard to tell on this small image, but I don't see any problems.

B&W Conversion: Looks gray. I think you need to bring your highlights up, which would also spread your midtones a bit.

Composition: From the place you put this for critique, I think you intend this to be an environmental portrait. What I see here is an architectural shot with a person in it. I'd recommend moving the subject nearer while maintaining a similar framing. This will increase the importance of the person while still maintaining some of the environmental aspects of the composition.

If you're going to center an image like this (which has very strong framing), you need to center it perfectly. If it's just a bit off, it will look like a mistake, not like an artistic choice. Alternatively, you could shoot at an angle to the building to get interesting diagonals, or move the strong vertical elements to positions well off the center and edges of the photos (rule of thirds/golden ratio).

As to the subject, many of the same positioning issues apply. Either put him exactly in the middle, or move him to a dynamically unbalanced position.

Posing: What you have is unconventional, which isn't necessarily bad, but I think you might do better to either turn him to a three-quarter view or bring his head down and open his eyes. Hard to tell, though, since he's such a small part of the final image.

I hope that helps. Don't necessarily take what I wrote as a recipe for a perfect photo; it's intended only to give you some things to think about when you do your next portrait.