In Your Face: This is my pal John (most of my pals are called John, it simplifies things). Might be wearing a Dallas cap but he's definitely at the National Trust cafe on Studland...

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

This is my pal John (most of my pals are called John, it simplifies things). Might be wearing a Dallas cap but he's definitely at the National Trust cafe on Studland Beach, Dorset, UK.
Your critique as a portrait appreciated.

Dave Chinn

magnetoman wrote:

This is my pal John (most of my pals are called John, it simplifies things). Might be wearing a Dallas cap but he's definitely at the National Trust cafe on Studland Beach, Dorset, UK.
Your critique as a portrait appreciated.

Dave, I can not give you any critique to this image because the processing, exposure and focus is right on the money, IMO. A job well done. John should be pleased with this.
Dave

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

A very engaging smile and kind eyes. I'd like to see the eyes a tiny bit brighter, if possible.

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

He looks like a natural in front of a camera. Nicely done.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Dave Chinn wrote:

Dave, I can not give you any critique to this image because the processing, exposure and focus is right on the money, IMO. A job well done. John should be pleased with this.
Dave

Thanks Dave, yeah, he liked it, he's a natural poser - point a camera at him and you get that big smile. I've told him he should have been a model not an engineer. His wife is almost the opposite and ducks when the camera comes out but I have managed a couple of shots of them together.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Linda From Maine wrote:

A very engaging smile and kind eyes. I'd like to see the eyes a tiny bit brighter, if possible.

I have brightened them Linda but couldn't go much further and keep a natural look - think the cap was shading them too much. Thanks for commenting, I do appreciate it.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

NJFrank wrote:

He looks like a natural in front of a camera. Nicely done.

Yes, as I've said to Dave Chinn, he's a real poser, can't help himself! Thanks for commenting, much appreciated.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Nice work! At first, I wondered why you chopped the top of his head off, but the longer I looked, the better I liked the crop. As for the technical stuff, what Dave said.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I'm not a portrait photographer, so probably shouldn't even comment here. I think the face is wonderfully done and the cropping is fine. The niggle I have is the splashes of light in the background. My eye goes to them immediately. Is there any way of toning them down?

BushDog Loc: San Antonio, TX

I like this image a lot. I bet it would look great printed and framed. I'm sure John would love it. Here in States, I would print 8 inch by 8 inch. (Not sure what typical printing dimensions are in UK.)

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

jaymatt wrote:

Nice work! At first, I wondered why you chopped the top of his head off, but the longer I looked, the better I liked the crop. As for the technical stuff, what Dave said.

Thanks jaymatt, glad you like it. The crop was 'in camera' or, at least mostly, I think. Not unusual for a close portrait, but something often commented upon, I've noticed - perhaps its an acquired taste?

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

AzPicLady wrote:

I'm not a portrait photographer, so probably shouldn't even comment here. I think the face is wonderfully done and the cropping is fine. The niggle I have is the splashes of light in the background. My eye goes to them immediately. Is there any way of toning them down?

Yes, I did think about toning them down, but then decided they helped to throw the face forward. I expected more comment about them though. Many thanks for looking-in AzPicLady, much appreciated.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Nice portrait Dave and Im sure John will be a happy bunny. You have engaged your subject and he looks relaxed. I would print and go with this without a problem but after that would attempt to get the bright areas in the background under control and lighten the area under the peak of his cap. Baseball caps are just so damn Yankee and try and spoil many a good shot. Another useless export from our colonial cousins! Baseball caps ,I love Lucy and Cheers they have a lot to answer for my friend. No wonder they end up with Donald Trump! Whats so wrong with a Harris Tweed flat cap I ask? Or a trendy corduroy number?
Without the original Raw not sure if the area can be lightened without showing up as a bit patchy. Its not a deal beaker and would just be cos I would have to try

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Billyspad wrote:

Nice portrait Dave and Im sure John will be a happ... (show quote)

He's never without a hat when he's outside. Usually a cowboy hat. And in fifty years I've never seen him in anything but high-heeled cowboy boots - don't know where he manages to get them, but he's in them all weathers. I well remember the first time he walked into the drawing office where I worked, clomp, clomp, clomp.
Frank has an improved version that he may add to the thread - addresses that shadow area nicely.