The Russian
Dec 19, 2013 00:00:15 #
JC56 wrote:
Russ,
nice image but common......wish you would use the camera more than the computer......you are a very good photographer...you don't need to pp every mustache hair....jmho...I could be wrong.
JC
nice image but common......wish you would use the camera more than the computer......you are a very good photographer...you don't need to pp every mustache hair....jmho...I could be wrong.
JC
I know what you mean, JC56, it seems like the last time I was in Lake St. Louis, MO, every 2nd person I saw looked just like the subject in this portrait. So, can you explain what you mean by 'common' because it obviously doesn't mean the same thing to me that it does to you?
Dec 19, 2013 07:56:38 #
Congratulations! It's a superb mid-tone image. I wish I could do that. The detail in the face, skin, and hair is superb and the result is well worth the hard work you have put in to creating this art photograph. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Dec 19, 2013 08:31:07 #
Boy, that is (and I hate to use the term) Amazing! As in, I am Amazed! I know how tough that is. It has the look of a charcoal portrait. There is juuuuust enough separation over the shoulders that he doesn't disappear into the background. The only true whites are in the eyes and the whiskers, yet still it does not look "flat." The portrait itself is very "manly," just the right tilt of the head a little toward the far shoulder, the turn of the shoulders, and a hint of (lord forgive me) "squinch" (yeah, I saw that post and was mildly horrified but there is a certain legitimacy to it some of the time :roll: ). Back in the day I'd have made a 24x24 of that and put it in the studio window, and people would have come in and complained, "But it's so daaaaark! No accounting for taste. :lol: Tremendous piece of work! :thumbup:
Dec 19, 2013 08:32:57 #
Beautiful. Yes the hairy old man is beautiful. Would it be possible for you to post the image as it was before PP?
Dec 19, 2013 14:08:48 #
jrb1213 wrote:
Beautiful. Yes the hairy old man is beautiful. Would it be possible for you to post the image as it was before PP?
I will give anyone the before and after image of any image in my portfolio that gets 2 of my Masterclass Tutorials, provided that you also agree not to publish or release the image.
I assure you all of my portraits are taken on the streets with only natural light. (I don't even use a reflector anymore)
I found that many people like what I do but are not really serious about pursuing high end B&W portrait work. There are quite a few people on the forum that have gotten all of my Tuts. I need to be fair to them.
Regards.
Russ Elkins at ClipsofTips.com
Dec 19, 2013 18:09:04 #
Recognizing that this is a matter of personal taste, it's just too dark for me. I felt like I was getting eye strain trying to pull out the details. The darkness ended up as more important than the subject.
Dec 20, 2013 12:51:43 #
You rarely produce a photo that doesn't leave me in total awe of your talent. I love the detail and the tones in this one.
Dec 20, 2013 16:11:52 #
A lot of history in that face. Reminds me of a neighbor down the road growing up. I can almost smell the cigarettes and cheap vodka.
Dec 20, 2013 22:31:49 #
Such a cool image! I love how the Russian hat fur is replicated by his mustache, chin whiskers and neck hair. Your art in pp is inspiring. Love to study what you do.
Dec 21, 2013 00:30:15 #
As is the case with most of your photos, one MUST view them in download mode to get the full effect of the subtle way you use light and contrast. This mid-level lighting is very well done, and yet I keep yearning for a bit more contrast. But we shall agree to disagree.
Dec 21, 2013 00:57:16 #
Bob Yankle wrote:
As is the case with most of your photos, one MUST view them in download mode to get the full effect of the subtle way you use light and contrast. This mid-level lighting is very well done, and yet I keep yearning for a bit more contrast. But we shall agree to disagree.
No matter what you do in this world, everyone is not going to like it. When I'm scoring in the high 90 on 500px.com or winning the facial expression contest on view bug, I feel like i'm ahead of the game. Scott Kelby says it best. "You don't need to do work everybody likes.. You need to do work that the people who do like it, really really really like it... and will pay you for it."
May 11, 2014 17:47:20 #
I love this image, the intensity is amazing, the detail superb, I have a lot to learn, looks like there are quite a few here on UH that I need to takes serious notes from!
May 12, 2014 03:17:07 #
PalePictures wrote:
One of the things I've learned over the past couple of years is that B&W processing in many cases translates in many aspects to color. I would recommend that anyone who really wanted to get good at processing their images begin with B&W. It takes a little longer but what you learn along the way is worth it.
As an inveterate B&W film photographer for the 53 years preceeding my overnight digital conversion, I certainly approve of the path you recommend, but have to ask is there a comparable way to "start with B&W" in the digital world without first going through a color-to-B&W conversion? Is there any way to get a B&W image out of a digital camera that isn't simply desaturated? or are you saying you can start with that? If that were true, your images are all the more big-time impressive.
Dave in SD
May 12, 2014 03:28:28 #
PalePictures wrote:
This is my second of two new images done in a soft Mid_tone B&W style. Adding contrast to a photo has always been easy for me. Creating a mid tone based contrasty image is more difficult and is truly art. I seem to be drawn more toward softer B&W image tones lately.
All comments welcome.
Please do not edit my image.
All comments welcome.
Please do not edit my image.
Another question, Russ,
Are all the faces in your portrait collections found within your local environs of Mountaineer Town, or do you priodically travel in search of models?
Sometime I'd like you to describe your methods of approach and suggestion to, and remuneration of your models. Your images and the technical where-with-all behind them are clearly in a class of their own, but " model management" also, I would think, plays a significant role in contributing to your final product.
Comments? Tips?
Thanks,
Dave in SD
May 12, 2014 08:25:55 #
Uuglypher wrote:
... have to ask is there a comparable way to "start with B&W" in the digital world without first going through a color-to-B&W conversion? ...
If you have a spare $8,000 you can get the full frame, 18MP Leica M Monochrom but you can do just as well with B&W film, medium format body with a portrait lens and a decent scanner.
You could also let your color DSLR convert directly to B&W so you can see the result in your viewfinder, but why give up the freedom to do the conversion later and apply any arbitrary filter that works.
It just depends on whether you want to take the time that PalePictures has done to heavily post process an image or if you would rather do minimal post processing.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.