PalePictures Loc: Traveling

Special thanks to everyone who commented. I really appreciate your appreciation of Fine Art B&W.

I was really happy with this image.... The shoot and the processing. It just made it to page 6 in the popular category on 500px.com.
My first to score this high at 97.8.

Thrilled it went over so well. Thanks again everyone.

Russ Elkins

supadoc19 Loc: Perth, western Australia

You should seriously consider entering www.fremantleportraitprize.org.au with photos like that.

Regards
Supadoc19

Perth, Australia

Susyseek2 Loc: Pennsylvania

Outstanding artistic work! I love it!

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

What a wonderful shot palepictures! He's looking right at me! And it makes me wonder where he's been and what he's been up to. Very expressive face! Excellent.

Trippmeister Loc: Los Gatos, CA

Really great! How did you get the black background?

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

The photo was taken at an Animal Zoo in Kingwood West Virginia. I spotted the biker on the way in and came across him again at the zoo. I asked for his photo...He agreed. I moved him about 20 feet where I could get some light clipping through some trees.(Not spotty tree light) I moved so the background was a dark patch of trees about 20 feet behind him. I shot at F2.8 at 185MM which made the dark background just a blur. I killed the little remaining light in the background in post processing.
My exact methods of post processing are demonstrated in my MasterClass Tutorials available at ClipsofTips.com(See Below)
One of my trademarks on many of my shots it to keep just enough shoulder light to show that shoulders are there. (A head needs shoulders to sit on) This technique is also done in post.
I rarely shoot people with white shirts, even if they do have interesting faces. White shirts are very difficult to kill(the brightness) in post. Dark blue's are easy to kill the light on the shirts or in the sky.(In post)
Hope I'm not rambling to much. Just though I would post a little more to help anyone wanting to do this type of shot..

Thanks for asking!

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

nauiled the art of the shot

Emm5

Fantastic shot Russ, I like the lighting in this portrait its more subtle, the toning is great.

mariposa84 Loc: Rochester NY

Thank you for sharing a little more insight on the how to aspect. Your pictures are amazing wonderful fantastic and every other synonym I can't think of at the moment. I always look forward to viewing your pictures!

DogBolter Loc: Michigan

:thumbup: :thumbup: Excellent. Thanks for sharing.

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

There is such a fine line in lighting and post processing. I still struggle with doing to much and not doing enough on each photo I do. Sometimes a photos can be one brush stroke away from excellence.

I liked the mix on this one too!

98.9 on 500px.com....Page 2 in popular for another hour I guess...hurray!!

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

Thanks everyone for commenting.
Final score on 500px was a 99.3 and made it to page 1. Now if I could just get editors choice!
Gotta get better!

Susyseek2 Loc: Pennsylvania

It's that kind of determination that makes you such an excellent artist! Congratulations!

Sue

k.melvyn

Cant stop looking .

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Excellent portrait!!