A study in darkness

[mmeyer]

I have been trying to get a friend of mine to sit for a portrait for me. I wasn't looking for a traditional portrait, but a much more dramatic one. When he grows his gray beard he has a very dramatic look. I used an Alien Bee AB400 with a homemade snoot camera right and just kissed his face with the edge of the light. I told him the look I was going for was the edge of darkness and light. I wanted him to look menacing and like he was just peeking out of the darkness. I am looking for critique on the look of the portrait, did I capture what I was trying to?



f11
1/125
ISO 200
70-200mm f2.8 Sigma
Alien Be AB400 at 1/4 power

[bradzo66]

I would say you are pretty close , I know a lot of people will say its too dark etc. but I like it , maybe he could have looked a touch meaner but like I say it certainly gives the impression he means business, overall a pretty good effort . I'd be interested to see what it looked like with a darker shirt on . All the best

[WooD]

I might have had a touch more light on his face, but it does look good. If you achieved what you were after then...well done.

[Trader]

I would have tried 2 things; first I would lower the camera so the angle of the shot was looking up at him and not straight on. Second (and I'm sorry) a little more light. I think something slightly less than photo #2 on your web site portraits would nail the look you are going for. Just my opinion.

[mmeyer]

Thanks everyone! I got prints back and I also think it need a little more light so I reworked it some. What do you think of the difference?

Thanks again for the input!

[Vet2088]

im new at this.
but i like the 2nd version better.
cuz of the extra light on his face. it brings him out more in the shot.
but it still has that dark look to it, and he looks like hes just peering out into the light for a second.
then is going to go and hide right back into the shadows.

but anyways. like the 2nd version. its a great shot aswell.

[WooD]

I also think the second version is much better.

[mmeyer]

Thanks again, Everyone, for your comments!

[inspire]

Originally Posted by mmeyer

Thanks everyone! I got prints back and I also think it need a little more light so I reworked it some. What do you think of the difference?

Thanks again for the input!

i like this one... its like the comic Sin City... where the artist drew one of the menacing villians this way... high contrast of dark and light...