raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

Outstanding!!!

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

A great project and a greater service!
Congrats!

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Thanks Goofy and to all who commented.

dsp Loc: Denver, Colorado

Masterful.

Terrym9 Loc: Hillsboro, Oregon

What a thoughtful idea. Both the portraits and the thought are just outstanding!

Terry

nanaval Loc: Cornwall

Very good...

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

Yes, I agree with the other UHH members: The quality of your photos are excellent. Very professional looking in every way. Can you share with us your secrets to getting that beautiful "look" that you do with these? It's obvious that you work these over in PP.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Brent - I appreciate your comments. To describe exactly how I get this look would be very difficult since each image is its own "project." First thing is the lighting - there is a 3x4 and 4x6 softbox to the camera left, a 4x6 reflector on camera right, a gridded strobe on the background to place some light just off-center over the shoulder. You might notice that there is a rhythm to the light - dark background against the light side of the face, then lighter BG up agains the dark side of the face.

after that it is lots of layers and bits and pieces of Topaz and NIK - all on separate layers and usually apples to small parts of the image. No two are alike and I could not replicate an image if I had to since each is its own creation - although there is a overall "look" that ties the images together.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I'm in awe. I wouldn't have picked up on the subtle light part on the background by shadow side of the face.

What gets me here is that I've wanted to start a project something like this, but it's difficult to get started. My day job is at a mental hospital, and I've seen countless wonderful people with mental issues that often have been abandoned by their families. When they pass, they never have a wonderful portrait to show who they really were, not just their diagnosis.

Anyway, because of the stigma, and rules of privacy, I'm told at my day job, that I'm not allowed to even offer free portrait sessions for our older clients that may be closer to "needing" an obituary photo sooner rather than later. Many of them are competent enough to give legal permission, and their families rarely, if ever, bother to visit them any more. Because of privacy, I couldn't display them here, but I just wanted to do something nice for them so that they aren't forgotten, even if it's just me that remembers.

I haven't given up, and seeing your ongoing project is lighting that fire again. Some things are just more important than money.

jonsommer Loc: Usually, somewhere on the U.S. west coast.

Hi Cliff, I was wondering where you had been and what you were doing to keep you away for so long, so good to see your re-appearance and also to see your, as usual, exceptional quality portraits and a short update on your important veterans project. You mentioned that it was a tough sell to get them to sit for you, is that because of modesty or bashfulness an their part, or the thought, so common, that because they no longer look like a Hollywood leading man, they aren't good subjects, or is it because they initially are concerned that you, despite the gentile exterior, are really the highest pressure photo salesman in Colorado and will scald them of their money and they really don't want a nice portrait to remind them that life is short and will soon be over?

You sure don't pick any easy projects to do, what with the fragile infant project and the veterans project, the last one left that would rip my heart out is to go to a high-kill shelter and photograph the animals 3 minutes before they are euthanized.

You're a good man with a good heart, doing interesting and worthwhile projects, and your work is always aspirational for the rest of us. We're lucky to have you here as a Hogg, please don't stay away for so long.

Jon (gang of 8 Vegas member - could that really have been five years ago?)

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Jon - I have been away only because I have been so busy. July through October is the high school senior season and that keeps me busy along with just all the other things in life.

I think the reason it is so hard to get the older folks is their attitude of "...who would want a picture of an old guy like me?" Two things have swayed the ones I have been able to get and that is when their family tells them that their KIDS want the portrait and some are won over by reminding them that they are really helping me with my project and the fact that they get some images is just a bonus.

One more practical issue with the guys in their 90's is just the logistics of getting them to and from the studio. I am working on a slightly less involved lighting setup to be able to take the set to their homes and that will solve the transportation issue.

Yeah, can you believe how long ago we were in Las Vegas. Bobby has moved back to Colorado and is living up in Fort Collins.

papa Loc: Rio Dell, CA

Excellent Rembrandt+ portraiture lighting.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I was wondering if we had heard the last of Bobby. Figured he was way too busy, or done with us because of some of the nastiness that started getting pretty thick and heavy in the forums for a while. I "think" it's toned down a bit, but there are still those that just love to poke the bear.

Travesty Loc: Chicago Burbs, USA

Great subjects and phenomenal lighting! Do I detect a hint of of maybe a sandstone layering on these.. Whatever it is it works! Love the painterly appearance..

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Thanks for your comment. No texture layer, but I do have a very light application of Topaz Clarity. That may account for that appearance.