Paul, I'm not sure what you were trying to accomplish with this image. However, I have to go along with the concept as you posted it.

You certainly accomplished a mood with this image. The lack of contrast does well with the blending of the subtle shades of the subject with that of the background. Compositionally you placed the eyes near 1/3 from the top of the image and centered the figure in a very menacing and foreboding manner, which fits well the tonal quality of the entire image. The ability to be able to just make out the eyes staring straight at the viewer adds even more to the strength of the image. Quite well done.
--Bob

Actually, we do (usually) ask permission on FYC. We are not afraid of being arrested by some copyright police or anything, it's mainly just trying to be respectful of each other, and be consistent with the rules of UHH as stated by the site admin. We're a pretty friendly bunch, so if we slip up and forget to ask, it generally works out anyway.

I have a line in my signature giving blanket permission for anyone to edit my images for the purpose of discussion, as it helps me visualize what they are explaining, but everyone's different and I try to follow the wishes of the OP.

Thank you pt for your words of explanation. As I had said, I think it is an intriguing shot. Your original you posted seems too dark in the face in all honesty. Frank's version is much better, but I feel the man in the shot is still wearing a mask around his eyes, kind of like Zorro or The Lone Ranger.

Also, because I have taken a lot of portrait shots, the extreme brightness of the whites of his eyes just is opposite of what I was trained to do, but I realize this is not meant as a portrait - just an innate feeling I get when I look at Frank's rendition. Just a tad more lighting around his eyes and face just seems to be appropriate to me.

Thanks for posting, and it is interesting to read the various comments by all, and especially those made by the two different genders.

Best Regards,
Tom

Interesting and well-conceived "dark-side" image. I think the versions that lighten the face give up some of the mystery, though they remain ominous and unsettling and become something different.

The strength is in the composition with the light rays, the windows, and the placement/angle of the figure.

Here's what I'd try if it were mine, which it isn't, so they're just ideas and nothing more. I would perhaps like a tiny bit of lightening in the eye area just to reveal that there are eyes in there somewhere, but not enough to reveal much else (if it turned out cartoonish I'd ditch that experiment). I don't think the rest of the face is too dark at all, it seems just right. I'd alter the color of the hooded "garment" to a dark grey or dark brown. Maroon just isn't an ominous or mysterious enough color. I do like how Frank "tucked" the light rays behind the figure, that works well.

Hey Frank,

If he wants to have a darker more menacing look or presentation, I believe perhaps a happy median between your version and mine might be in order? Mine is too light and yours seems to be just a tad too dark. Both are good in their own rights, but just depends on what pt wants for his final image outcome.

Here again, it just comes down to interpretation, likes, and dislikes, and what the original photographer hopes to achieve for his final product. Right now, I'm not really sure what he wants and what is too dark and too light, so I guess I'll let him reprocess his own image and see what he really wants. Not much else to say or do concerning the image he posted. He did achieve some results and some discussion from the forum, so maybe that was his intent and goal - just searching for other possible ideas?

Best Regards,
Tom

GWR100 was able to put into words what I was struggling with regarding the difference between original (my preference) and apaflo's edit:

"the temptation to bring more highlights to the face have been avoided bringing the need to really look at the mystery and intrigue behind it..."

I also agree with his comments re background and color, and rlaugh's "ominous." Overall though, I'm with Neil's "can't connect emotionally." That's mostly because I prefer my photography happy and pretty

I do applaud your creativity, pt!