Sheep Farmer

[dje]

I don't much of this sort of photography so I would welcome any suggestions how I could have done better with this sheep farmer in NZ. Technically not the best shot I've ever taken but I've tried to capture the rustic atmosphere with some sepia toning.

Dave



PS: Whoops, posted in the wrong category ! I wonder if a mod would be kind enough to shift it please ?

[IzzieK]

David...try this...expand the shot in Lytebox and move it around. I find that I like it better when the guy is not so centered. So I really prefer that you crop this image more to the left.

[dje]

David...try this...expand the shot in Lytebox and move it around. I find that I like it better when the guy is not so centered. So I really prefer that you crop this image more to the left.

Thanks Issie

Something like this perhaps ?

[ShaneS]

Nice image Dave and the crop makes the image better IMHO. Your subject would likely be very pleased with this image - well done!

[dje]

Nice image Dave and the crop makes the image better IMHO. Your subject would likely be very pleased with this image - well done!

Thank you Shane

[FootLoose]

Good image, Dave, the right crop makes all the difference.

[Nicks Pics]

I tried to respond to this earlier tonight, but must not have submitted it, so here it is now...I would second that the guy is doesn't have enough room in front of him, and maybe it's a little too tall and thin generally? Some of the areas are a little distractingly bright perhaps, but generally I like the light realistic look of the picture, and the very light sepia tone. Maybe I'll try that sometime if I try a non-color picture. May I ask how you did the sepia conversion?

Those Australian shepherd's hats have mede it all the way here to the U.S. for style!

[Bobobird]

Love this portrait and conversion. I have always wanted to get a sheep farmer and his flock into a pic but probably going to all the wrong places.

[Donald]

Something like this perhaps ?

On the money!

Looked at the first version, not knowing there was an edit further down the thread and was mentally preparing my response to suggest all the things that have been done in the second version.

I note a comment about the 'light sepia tone'. It is in fact a much heavier tone that I would use, but that's all a matter of taste. Don't know what software you use for toning. Nik's Silver Efex Pro 2 has a selection of Copper tones. I prefer them to Sepia.

What I particularly like is that the picture makes clear what this man does. You don't need any text to know he's a farmer/shepherd. the context is all there.

[John 2]

That is very nice Dave. Prefer the second crop but the conversion and the choice of mono is on the mark. That's a very good portrait of a working man. Might be worth toning down the highlights top left just a little.

[IzzieK]

So much better than what I was thinking....thanks David...you're super tops!

Thanks Issie

Something like this perhaps ?

[bnnrcn]

Very nice image and the crop works well

[dje]

Thanks Greg, Nick, Bobo, Donald John, Issie and Binnur.

Nick the farmer is a New Zealander but I'm pretty sure he is wearing an Aussie made hat and Dryza-Bone coat !

Donald I used Silver Efex Pro for the mono conversion, with the second mildest sepia tone. Perhaps I should have used the mildest ? I tried out the copper toning with the result shown below (which I like also, a bit different to sepia). This image also has some of the highlights reduced in line with comments from Nick and John. I'm rather pleased with this latest version !

Nick in relation to your question about sepia tone - as I mentioned above, I used Silver Efex Pro for the mono conversion and this has a number of toning options built in. It's just a matter of selecting the type and strength that you want.

And Issie , thanks again for your suggestion - it made a big difference I think.



Dave

[Shadowman]

You should do it more often. Nicely done.

[ST1]

Excellent Dave, the subject suits your conversion very well. I prefer the second version of your image. I've just shown SWMBO your image her response was "Oh it's gorgeous Gordon" so now you have a name for your sheep farmer

So you too took the TSS Earnslaw trip to Walter Peak High Country Farm, we had a great experience when we visited the farm.

[dje]

Thanks John and Peter.

Excellent Dave, the subject suits your conversion very well. I prefer the second version of your image. I've just shown SWMBO your image her response was "Oh it's gorgeous Gordon" so now you have a name for your sheep farmer

That's him !

[Mike Buckley]

Terrific image for all the reasons already mentioned. I prefer the first toning, as the second one has unattractive pink tones when displayed on my profiled and calibrated monitor.

Remember that after you select the toning in SEP, you can also adjust the other parameters that affect the amount of toning. You might like the first toning you used though with those parameters adjusted to lower the amount.

I've used only two programs (SEP2 and Photoshop Elements) to apply toning presets and neither one of them have natural looking sepia toning in my mind. I have always used custom presets that I've developed on my own and even then I often change their parameters somewhat depending on the image.

[deetheturk]

Great image Dave!

[dje]

Thanks Mike and David.

Mike I'll have a closer look at those fine toning adjustments you mention as I've never fiddled with them. Thanks for the tip.

Dave

[csa mt]

Dave, very nice indeed. If I had one suggestion, it would be to crop just above his hat. To me, the cottage & trees take away from the man subject, the gentleman.