Is this a keeper? A friend asked me to take some photos at his show this weekend. He is an Elvis impersonator.....As he was on stage I was sitting on the floor in the middle isle, he...

plessner Loc: North Dakota

A friend asked me to take some photos at his show this weekend. He is an Elvis impersonator.....As he was on stage I was sitting on the floor in the middle isle, he came down the stairs to where the light was not good to sing into a woman's ear. I snapped a photo even though it was so dark I could hardly see him and he was way to close for my 50mm lens---but I kind of like it! What are your thoughts

Genessi Loc: SoCal

I like it, Maybe you can lighten, But what do I know!! lol

plessner wrote:

A friend asked me to take some photos at his show this weekend. He is an Elvis impersonator.....As he was on stage I was sitting on the floor in the middle isle, he came down the stairs to where the light was not good to sing into a woman's ear. I snapped a photo even though it was so dark I could hardly see him and he was way to close for my 50mm lens---but I kind of like it! What are your thoughts

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

plessner wrote:

A friend asked me to take some photos at his show this weekend. He is an Elvis impersonator.....As he was on stage I was sitting on the floor in the middle isle, he came down the stairs to where the light was not good to sing into a woman's ear. I snapped a photo even though it was so dark I could hardly see him and he was way to close for my 50mm lens---but I kind of like it! What are your thoughts

What would there be to dislike???

It's all in the mind's eye, and if the picture is one you like, then it's a good one.

My mind's eye doesn't matter to you! (But the fact is that I like it. It has a lot of what we might call "sparse symbolism". Each symbol is effective and has great significance. Everything that isn't there is just low on the priority list, and not missed. You don't, for example, need the other half of his face because it would only re-enforce the fact that it isn't really Elvis and doesn't look like Elvis either.)

Didereaux Loc: Swamps of E TX

In my opinion? No. Reasons: Way to dark, now I realize that some like that style, and I have seen some photos done that way that I liked as well. But there is something than you (in my opinion) should never do with a (Karsh-look) portrait, and that is have some parts in focus and others not. You needed more depth, closed down a couple of stops or more probably.

imagerybox Loc: Elgin, IL

Nice shot, I'd like even more with a little more light on his face.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Didereaux wrote:

IBut there is something than you (in my opinion) should never do with a (Karsh-look) portrait, and that is have some parts in focus and others not.

I agree about Karsh-look portraits.

That is not a Karsh-look portrait. The DOF is nearly perfect, because the hand and more so the arm all need to be de-emphasized to get the right emotional perspective. It's just a bit of Gestalt Theory in practice.

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

Personally I think you did a nice job with it. It is quite creative. Normally I am the first person to expect sharpness in a picture, however this shot is different. Your friend is an impersonator. If he isn't a mirror double than you have to use lighting and angles to help him create that image. I think you did just that. Your friend should be over joyed with what you have done. Nice work. Leon

plessner Loc: North Dakota

thanks everyone for looking I did try to lighten it up a bit in picassa--that's all I use as of now for PP
I really had no time for thinking or adjusting or doing anything as I took this. It was so dark, I just kind of pointed in the direction and pushed the shutter--not really expecting to get anything
I will show it to him and he can decide what to do with it.
Some that I took last year for him he has been using for his advertising posters and brochures--I am honored!

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

I like your fix! The original was good too. But this one is great.

plessner wrote:

thanks everyone for looking I did try to lighten it up a bit in picassa--that's all I use as of now for PP
I really had no time for thinking or adjusting or doing anything as I took this. It was so dark, I just kind of pointed in the direction and pushed the shutter--not really expecting to get anything
I will show it to him and he can decide what to do with it.
Some that I took last year for him he has been using for his advertising posters and brochures--I am honored!

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

plessner wrote:

thanks everyone for looking I did try to lighten it up a bit in picassa--that's all I use as of now for PP
I really had no time for thinking or adjusting or doing anything as I took this. It was so dark, I just kind of pointed in the direction and pushed the shutter--not really expecting to get anything
I will show it to him and he can decide what to do with it.
Some that I took last year for him he has been using for his advertising posters and brochures--I am honored!

Well done, I'm sure he'll hang it on his wall.

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

I'm voting with Erv on this one. I like the first, but the 'fix' brings out just enough more detail for it to work really well. Love the shot!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Treepusher wrote:

I'm voting with Erv on this one. I like the first, but the 'fix' brings out just enough more detail for it to work really well. Love the shot!

And I agree with Randy and Erv :)

Very interesting shot, great drama.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

plessner wrote:

A friend asked me to take some photos at his show this weekend. He is an Elvis impersonator.....As he was on stage I was sitting on the floor in the middle isle, he came down the stairs to where the light was not good to sing into a woman's ear. I snapped a photo even though it was so dark I could hardly see him and he was way to close for my 50mm lens---but I kind of like it! What are your thoughts

I like the shot.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I like it a lot, wonder what it would look like converted to black and white with a lot of contrast?

plessner Loc: North Dakota

I hadn't thought of B&W
here it is