RacerDan Loc: Virden Illinois

using pse11 to crop, brighten shadows, and set contrast to as much as software would go, what do you think and what can I do to improve it?

Stan

jgordon Loc: Boulder CO

There is a lot about this photo that I like.

And, I wish the man's eyes were open. Also, I don't love some elements of the background. There is a support post or something growing out of the man's hat and an odd white tusk like light colored shape at the upper left extending into the tire in the background.

The photo has great salt of the earth type appeal. I like the man in context -- but I have the sense that the moment you captured was just a fraction away from the ideal one. That said, I love the black and white quality of this image and its general concept.

I have no suggestions for improving the image because the post processing looks good to me (I am not an expert) and I am not sure that you can improve this with a different crop -- although others might have suggestions along those lines.

RacerDan Loc: Virden Illinois

One of my biggest faults is taking the time to set up shot by taking a better look at the background. By going to my left I could have cleaned up that junk, and Stan would not have noticed me and kept his eyes open. Thank you for the comments, I'll keep trying to remember take more set-up time.

MtnMan Loc: ID

You might try selecting the whole background (several ways you could do that in Elements) and then darkening and blurring it. Use "refine selection" and feather it before applying the darkening and blur.

Or you could get the same effect with adding a layer and a mask, then using a brush on the mask to reveal the well-exposed man or the darkened/blurred background layer as you wish.

(PS: I don't have a problem with the closed eyes on this one. Us old guys often sit around that way.)

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I agree with MtnMan. I think I would try to select the background and then darken it. I don't think I would make it completely dark; but it is distracting as it is.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Sorry to say Dan, but you delete it and retake it with his eyes open.
The eyes are a much more terminal problem than the background.

BrettOssman Loc: near Tampa, Florida

I like it as is. First thing that caught my attention and interest was , is he working on a hot rod? That's a story.

RacerDan Loc: Virden Illinois

because of the eyes I,m not going to work on this photo, I'll just try to get another picture with a better background. As far as Stan working on a hot rod, he is retired from that, but during the 50s, 60s, and 70s Stan was one of the top flathead dragster people nation wide. He won the national championship more than once and set ET and MPH records many times during those years, now that is the story.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Great shot of GrandPa waiting to get soft rubber on his dragster.

Near perfect photo. Only suggestion is clone out the finger on the upper left and fill the glowing white around the ear. Also the dark (black) area 1/3 up on the right and the tip upper right.

BrettOssman Loc: near Tampa, Florida

Very cool story. Also makes the backdrop even better. :-)