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

this is the son of the individual in the thread titled 'Fathers and . .' it's hard to for me to imagine that two closely related individuals can have such a different apparent attitude towards life, as reflected on their faces.

Like I mentioned in the 'Fathers' thread, I would like to know what you find compelling, what you like, and what I can improve on. Does the portrait tell a story of the individual that is wearing the face?

Thanks in advance for your comments and for taking the time to look.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

I am not a portrait photographer so take all I say with a grain of salt. I think your images are well done especially this one. He looks to be a thoughtful quite person. I usually like to see more space in front of the person than behind, but think this works. I like the black background as I feel it ads more drama to the photo.

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

Country's Mama, thank you for your thoughtful observations and comments. Accurately capturing the different lives as shown on the faces of this father and son set effectively enough so that others could know something about them, having never met then, was my goal. The son is, indeed, a thoughtful and quiet person, who has for years dealt with the ugliest side of life, imaginable, at least to me. Emotionally, he is unshakeable and your thoughtful and quiet description hit the nail on the head.

Thank you for your comments.

jrb1213 Loc: McDonough GEorgia

If people can describe a person from your photograph it means you are upper tier of photographers. You style is different but no less valid.

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

jrb1213, I would agree with the first part of your statement but I would say that I ASPIRE to become an upper tier photographer, as I certainly don't belong there now. (but thank you for the undeserved compliment)

Style, of course, is a very personal thing, I think of it as consistently showing the viewer the world through my eyes, the way I see it, and having the viewer recognize it as one of my photos - and right now, I seem to eschew most anything having to do with traditional portrait photography - I want to 'peel' back the layers of our protective facades and try to capture the individual without a 'mask' and show the subject in their most honest and vulnerable moment. I believe that by doing so, and seeing that in others, we allow ourselves the opportunity to look at ourselves as we truly are, not as we pretend to be. Once I have the image I like, I work the crop to present a final image that would likely NEVER be seen in a commercial photo studio.

So, thank you for noticing that my 'style' is different, I admit that it is evolving, and will most likely show constant change as I learn to see and my technical proficiency continues to develop (pun intended for us old film guys).

Thanks so much for your encouraging comments.

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

Here your main light, camera left is nicely placed. If you had made the other light, camera right about half the intensity of the main light, you would have had a "smashingly great" portrait. That would have created what is called short lighting. Another advantage if you had done so would be that the subject would have looked many pounds lighter.
Here is an example of "short" lighting taken with a single light source.
Hope that helps . . .

One light - short lighting