Thomas brookes
RPF Chief iPhone app Reviewer
A shot taken early on in the day from my BBQ. Alex was away on her hen do so I had the boys around.the aftermath can only be described as 12 hours of carnage.
Critique Welcomed Good looking Wes.
- Thread starter Thomas brookes
- Start date
Darren Turner
XProPhotographer
nice sharp portrait, BW does it for me, I like how you have omitted the top & bottom of the guys face. I do think that fence is rather distracting though
Daz
Daz
Hamish Gill
Tech Support (and Marketing)
Spot on framing and focus Tom
But yeah, I'd say the background isn't ideal!
Toning is nice too!
But yeah, I'd say the background isn't ideal!
Toning is nice too!
Thomas brookes
RPF Chief iPhone app Reviewer
Hey that's my new fence you two are slaging off!!! 
agreed tho I spotted that in lightroom. Cropped it and it didnt work at all. How would I get around that? Darken the area?
agreed tho I spotted that in lightroom. Cropped it and it didnt work at all. How would I get around that? Darken the area?
Hamish Gill
Tech Support (and Marketing)
You could try ...
It might be a learning curve for next time though ...
As a backdrop for a portrait I go for a texture - like a brick wall... Nothing - white, black, etc to draw attention
Or somthing that would make a good photo by its self - a vanishing point road, archway in a church ... That sort of thing
The fact remains here though that the framing and focus is spot on ... The flat lighting, expression and darkness of the eyes work well to create a look of slightly cheeky, yet very slightly menacing ...
It might be a learning curve for next time though ...
As a backdrop for a portrait I go for a texture - like a brick wall... Nothing - white, black, etc to draw attention
Or somthing that would make a good photo by its self - a vanishing point road, archway in a church ... That sort of thing
The fact remains here though that the framing and focus is spot on ... The flat lighting, expression and darkness of the eyes work well to create a look of slightly cheeky, yet very slightly menacing ...
Pete Askew
Admin
I like this very much Tom and have come back to it a few times today. The fence, even though out of focus, is slightly distracting but the expression and intensity override that I think. The only thing I would change would be to crop a tiny bit from the top thereby losing the dark triangle on the left which I think would 'intensify' the look. I often lighten the eyes a tiny touch and increase clarity there specifically (or saturation in colour) as well. I do like this sort of close-up portrait and it work well. What does the subject make of it?
Thomas brookes
RPF Chief iPhone app Reviewer
Great tips there guys. Thank you. I don't think Wes realised how sharp the lens was and was shocked at his wrinkles! Other than him looking haggard he liked it.
Pete Askew
Admin
In another few years he can call it rugged character! 
Dan Cattermole
Dan Down - The Steampunk Womble
Very Good shot Tom, Personaly, I don't have any critism on the shot as I like it just the way it is.
Thomas brookes
RPF Chief iPhone app Reviewer
Rugged Wes
Now has any of these alterations helped. I'm not attached to this shot in any way so experimenting im happy to do. I have cropped as Pete suggested blurred the background hopefully eradicating distractions lightened the eyes and given his wrinkles a little more definition. Wadda ya think?
I know the effects are a little OTT but I did want to follow through with your suggestions. All these where edited on various iPhone apps. This next shot more original and less trying to make your mate ugly.
Now has any of these alterations helped. I'm not attached to this shot in any way so experimenting im happy to do. I have cropped as Pete suggested blurred the background hopefully eradicating distractions lightened the eyes and given his wrinkles a little more definition. Wadda ya think?
I know the effects are a little OTT but I did want to follow through with your suggestions. All these where edited on various iPhone apps. This next shot more original and less trying to make your mate ugly.
Pete Askew
Admin
I like the more gentle touch of the second Tom although I like the intensity of the eyes in the first.
Thomas brookes
RPF Chief iPhone app Reviewer
Makes a big difference taking that little top left triangle out!! With out throwing a cat amongst the pigeon but why does it work. Is it just a matter of cleaning the image up?
Paul Lange
Moderator
The latter one is much more refined I think. I think the second, as you have already said, is a little over done I think and I don't think he'll thank you for it either.
Pete Askew
Admin
I think in part it removes the dark triangle that draws the eye but also it crops the top of the head before it curves too much and that seems to help make the eyes the most important part of the image. It was that curve more than the triangle (although that was the natural point) that made me suggest it.
Chris Dodkin
West Coast Correspondent
I keep thinking Lock-Stock & Two Smoking Barrels 
I think the close crop to the face is excellent - the direct eye contact locks the viewer in
Bit of additional toning and sharpening on the subject and a vignette to help focus the attention on the face - all with Topaz B&W
I think the close crop to the face is excellent - the direct eye contact locks the viewer in
Bit of additional toning and sharpening on the subject and a vignette to help focus the attention on the face - all with Topaz B&W
Thomas brookes
RPF Chief iPhone app Reviewer
I like!! Thanks for your input gents. Now you say it Chris it is quite lock stock esque!
Hamish Gill
Tech Support (and Marketing)
I'd go somewhere between the two of the last pair you posted Tom
The effect on the face is a little strong and because it also effects the background it maybe better used selectively and not a strongly painted over his face ....
The effect on the face is a little strong and because it also effects the background it maybe better used selectively and not a strongly painted over his face ....
