scsdesphotography Loc: Southeastern Michigan

I've been following this forum for a couple of years. I have been mostly intimidated by the work posted here! Which has kept me from leaving the wading pond and jumping in the big one where everyone can swim circles around me. But if I want to improve my skills and get closer to all of you talented photographers, I have to put myself out there and expose myself to your critiques and suggestion for improvement. My New Year's resolution is to put myself out there and get valuable feedback, so here I am (bravely)!

My first image for your consideration is a portrait of my best friend Frank, who sadly, is no longer with us. He was over one day shortly after I got a new soft box (continuous lighting). I asked him if he would mind sitting while I took some test shots with the light in various positions. The resultant images were ok for some informal portraits, but not remarkable. Sometime later in a B&W photography class we were required to submit a portrait. Being too lazy to do something new at the time I grabbed one of Frank's images and converted it to B&W (monochrome really). I nearly fell out of my chair when I saw the result. This B&W image conveyed a strong emotional feeling that was not present in the color image.

So, for your consideration, here is my portrait of Frank.

(Download)

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

I think it's superb - you clearly know what you're doing!

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

Nice one!

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Fantastic portrait!!!
I am not a pro however I do know good work when I see it

roxiemarty Loc: Florida

I think black and white is perfect for this image! Well done. Do not be afraid to just jump in on this forum.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Very well done!

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Michael1079 Loc: Indiana

I enjoy b&w portraiture and you did Frank proud!

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

👍👍👍

Horseart Loc: Alabama

I'm no good at it myself, but like Frank said, "I know it when I see it" and this is great!

scsdesphotography Loc: Southeastern Michigan

Thanks everyone for your generous remarks about my portrait of my friend Frank. My working title for this image is "You may not have known Frank, but now you do!" I want to continue to improve my skills in portrait photography, so I'll post another one next weekend.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

You did good- you have a talent for portraiture.

In traditional portraiture, other than viewing images on a screen, prints were made of fine portraits. So, good custom printing was the finishing touch.

Your portrait has captured the subject's character, the lighting is effective and the expression great. The power in portraits like this is in the eyes and you have good eye contact. In order to get the lighting effect, you wanted the main light to be a bit high and there is very little detail in the eyes. So, I made a "custom print" for you. The eyes are slightly dodged and the single catchlight in each eye on the same side as the lighting direction remains but the other catchlight is removed. Now the eye contact and the unity of light are more powerful.

I would have printed on a warmer chloro-bromide paper- so I warmed it slightly. On my monitor, the contras were a bit low so I added a touch of contrast and a very slight sharpening. On a low-key character portrait, you may want a bit more depth of field so tall the planes of the face are sharp.

Edit it like that, print it on textured paper or canvas and you got yourself a competition-grade wall-hanger!

When you shoo,t watch the lighting in the eyes! Looking forward to your next post and welcome to the section!!!

scsdesphotography Loc: Southeastern Michigan

Thanks E. L. for bringing my image of Frank up to professional standards. I appreciate your suggestions especially on the eyes, if the eyes are missed it becomes a lesser portrait! This was clearly a case of not knowing what I had until I converted to B&W. I was just doing some test shots with my new soft box, otherwise I would have paid more attention to what I was doing portrait wise! That's not the first time I've accidently made a worthy image! I'm looking forward to your comments and suggestions for my next post. You clearly really do know what you're doing. Thanks again.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

When you have time, click on this link:

http://blog.kitfphoto.com/Zeltsman/

Joe Zeltsman was my most influential teacher. He was a grandmaster for the olden days of film. Some may feel this is old school but the BASICS in this tutorial are what is missing in much of the current literature. The basics of light are invaluable. The new school is just a modernization of the old and the light is universal and classic.

Yere are many lessons and you can take your time and read and practice on your own schedule.

Have a look and tell me what you think.

Ed

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Very nicely done!