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

OK, so I'm not getting younger, hopefully, though I'm learning a thing or three, but you decide. C&C please, it's always so useful to see myself and my work through other's very talented eyes. Thanks for looking, and all your constructive comments will be seriously considered.

Selfie and Photoshop, what a team

(Download)

A10 Loc: Southern Indiana

Not bad for an old man. I need to learn to take better selfies.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Well, I would LOVE to have your hair!

I think the lighting is very good - it is broad-lit, but you have a thin face that make either broad or short lighting fine for you. Your BG lighting combined with your light on the face makes for a light-dark-light-dark.

Well done.

waltchilds Loc: Central Florida

Well done, Jon, one of the best selfies I have seen. How did you light this? The reason I ask is the lighting is so good I would have guessed studio lighting. But since most selfies are not done in a studio I'd like to know more about your lighting setup.

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

A10, I guess that's a compliment, sort of. When all my friends and neighbors are tired of me pestering them to come over so I can practice, I can always rely on myself being available, so, a selfie is the result.

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

So, Cliff, hair is way over rated, I spend hours every day glueing back on all the ones that fell out the day before, I'm well on my way to being hairless - and like you often remind us, it's about the light, with the right light setup, it's kinda like the old smoke and mirrors, you can make just about anything look possible . . . even hair on Jon's head.

Thanks for the compliment. Compliments from you carry a special significance for me because of the very high quality of everything you post. If I could one day know half of what you have forgotten, I'd be a happy and capable photographer.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Yes, Jon, I too would like to know your lighting setup. The masculinity stands out.

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

Walt, this was actually taken in my garage, yep, the same one that I usually 'pauk my caw' in, so it's not exactly a studio shot, but I've got lights galore in there as well as the 'hair' filter to give the illusion of having hair, so I guess it's working.

So here's my lighting setup: backdrop is hanging on a Westcott BG kit. The BG material I used is so thin that it's semi-transparent and because I didn't want to see the inside of my garage doors, so I used (light #1) a Paul C Buff Einstein, camera left, with a snoot pointed at the BG plus I used a light blue gel which helped bring out some of the BG's color, it's about 6' away from the backdrop just out of camera sight. Next (light #2) is a Paul C Buff Einstein with a strip-box which has all the diffusers that I could get placed inside, it's placed camera left, again, just out of camera sight about even with my shoulders and it's turned so the light just glances my side, it's not pointed directly at me (that's important). Another Einstein (light #3) is camera left, and kinda functions like a hair light. It's raised to about 9' up, it has barn doors, almost closed, and a light orange gel is used - the gel gives a little color to this very pale Scandinavian's skin. Finally, (light #4) another Einstein, has a Paul C Buff 48" reflective umbrella with a diffuser on the front, about 5' to my left, about 45 degrees to my front. That's it, I hope my explanation is useful.

Thanks for looking, taking the time to comment and your kind words.

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

Tom, my wife says I usually look like an angry gangster in a serious mood, especially when I've got 'government' work to do, and I'm playing with my camera instead of getting her stuff done. See lighting setup above.

A10 Loc: Southern Indiana

Definitely a compliment, my portrait not so nice. I too have worn out my welcome with most of my friends and relatives.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Thank you, Jon.

LLucas Loc: Upstate South Carolina, USA

Thanks for explaining the lighting. It's very well done. I like the orange gel affect- adds a nice hue to your skin. And the blue backing is really nice, too. I must get some blue to use!
Thanks for sharing the photo and your technique. I learn so much from you 'hogs!
PS- If you changed the dark hoodie to a crisp, white tuxedo shirt with bow-tie and dark jacket, this would be AMAZING. The hoodie ruins this otherwise gorgeous photo for me. With a tux and that lighting, and that hair (!) you would look like Mr. Handsome Hollywood!

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

LLucas, hmmm, a crisp white shirt, bow tie and tux. Hey, then I could change my last name to something exciting, maybe apply to get a license to kill, I could probably be agent '009' and I could spend my time chasing bad guys. I can hear it now, I think, the introduction would sound strangely familiar: "It's Bond, Sir, Jon Bond". OK, key up the music, bring in truckloads of scantily clad beautiful women . . . hey, all of a sudden your suggestion is sounding better and better to me the more I think about it. Even though it seems that I spend almost every waking hour in a white shirt, suit and tie, a tux isn't that much of a stretch . . . . so, let me think about this one for a while . . . it has possibilities . . .

Slim-fit, or regular?

Thanks so much for looking and taking the time to comment.

Jon

:D :D :D :!: :-P :idea: :? :P

LLucas Loc: Upstate South Carolina, USA

Oh yes, now you are on the right track! You know the song, "Every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man!"
And if you have the right physique for it, Slim-Fit, for sure!

PaulG Loc: Western Australia

I think it's a very good portrait Jon, and a self portrait at that which makes it more admirable. I really like the lighting; subtle but not too soft, and the whole composition. Two things though... as the eyes are paramount in portrait work I would have liked to see just a little more light in there and therefor definition (maybe about 10% lighter) I think it would lift the image slightly. And also... the front of your neck seems to have an overall grey cloak to it. Are you wearing something or has it been art worked. Those are just my views but all up all up though I think you've done an excellent job here.