Self portrait

[Dave A]

I don't think I've ever done a self portrait. Camera on tripod and set to 20 second timer. Weather was........well lousy.

Dave

[Mike Buckley]

I completely disagree that the weather was lousy; just the opposite, I really like the sky and that you seem to be looking toward its ominous area. Nice conversion also. Perhaps a bit overly sharpened at least at this size, perhaps not in your full-size file.

[Shadowman]

Nice shot.

[rpcrowe]

Nice...

I need to do a selfie now that I have lost almost 35 pounds... I will no longer need an UWA lens for the self portrait

[mugge]

Dave, Mike is right the weather is just right. So is the photo.
Cheers Ole

[RBSinTo]

Dave,
I think the weather conditions were perfect for this photo: a lovely shadowless overcast day, with an interesting sky.
As it stands, I think the photo could be improved by cropping vertically to our left of the subject, to eliminate the second bench and everything to its left which I feel adds nothing to the composition. Additionally this would make the subject larger in the frame so we can see more detail.
I always feel that a portrait should reveal something about the subject and unless this one is supposed to indicate that you spend a lot of time starring out into space on deserted beaches, I don't think it reveals anything about you, and so doesn't work for me.
Robert

[Dave A]

Dave,
I think the weather conditions were perfect for this photo: a lovely shadowless overcast day, with an interesting sky.
As it stands, I think the photo could be improved by cropping vertically to our left of the subject, to eliminate the second bench and everything to its left which I feel adds nothing to the composition. Additionally this would make the subject larger in the frame so we can see more detail.
I always feel that a portrait should reveal something about the subject and unless this one is supposed to indicate that you spend a lot of time starring out into space on deserted beaches, I don't think it reveals anything about you, and so doesn't work for me.
Robert

Thank you Robert for your suggestions. Always good to hear other views and in this case you make very good points which I wanted to try right away. I also reduced the sharpening as Mike had suggested.

Dave

[billtils]

Dave,
an interesting sky... I think the photo could be improved by cropping vertically to our left of the subject, to eliminate the second bench and everything to its left

Cropping out the left hand bench was one of my first thoughts Robert but the more I looked the less that appealed, as it destroys the beautiful arc of cloud that frames Dave and his bench.

[John 2]

Cropped version for me but I think the sharpness was OK in the original. I agree with the thought that the conditions were not a problem. So much more interesting than plain blue featureless skies.

[xpatUSA]

Cropping out the left hand bench was one of my first thoughts Robert but the more I looked the less that appealed, as it destroys the beautiful arc of cloud that frames Dave and his bench.

+1

Maybe just those dark trees on the left which draw my eye slightly. Or reduce their contrast while retaining that arc as-is . .

[Mike Buckley]

I would simply crop on the left to eliminate the picnic table on that side. I would probably use an 8 x 10 aspect ratio while being sure not to crop anything on the top for the reasons relating to the cloud pattern already given.

Though I realize the image includes Dave in the scene and that he titled the thread a self portrait, the composition is not a self portrait for me; similarly, if anyone other than Dave had been in the scene, I wouldn't have called it a portrait and wonder if he would have. That's because the person is such a small portion of the scene that nothing is revealed in significant detail about character, personality or state of mind.

[Dave A]

In LR is there a way to set the crop to a 8x10?

Dave

[Dave Humphries]

In LR is there a way to set the crop to a 8x10?

Dave

Yes "4 x 5" from memory (assuming you know how to select a crop ratio, but just couldn't find 8 x 10)

[Merlin52]

Hi Dave just use the Crop Overlay Tool ( shortcut = R) and then choose 4x5/8x10 and crop away.

Here's a screenshot

[Dave A]

8x10 crop version. Thank you John for the instructions. Maintains the dark clouds.

Dave

[Mike Buckley]

That one works best for me and is very appealing.

[billtils]

Yep, this is good - keeps the framing from the clouds and eliminates the foreground distractions.

[Dave A]

Thanks guys for the help and opinions. This forum is great for getting helpful direction from members I know have an eye for photography and are always willing to help.

Dave

[mugge]

Yep, this is good.
Cheers Ole