Another Male Portrait

[Digital]

Back in 2015 I was photographing a number of subjects. This is one of those pics.
Shot at 1/250 @ f/6.3, ISO 200. I am not sure but this may have been shot with a Westcott diffuser. The original background was changed.
As always, C&C most welcomed.

Bruce

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Bruce,

For me, the subject is fine (good lighting and focus/DoF OK too), the problems here are with the PP work regarding the background replacement, the first thing that attracted my attention (even before I read that you'd replaced it) was the dark smudge beside his right (camera left) cheek. Then, when studying the subject edges closer, other artefacts become apparent, be they unnaturally sharp transitions (suggest small radius blur to match DoF) or other bits still 'showing through'.

The answer is easy for me to say, but I appreciate, often far harder to accomplish - shoot with a suitable background in the first place!

Not sure if those thoughts are as helpful as intended, I think you may already be on to them, just perhaps rushed 'finishing up' in PP.

If you processed the subject after reading previous critiques on other shots (e.g. by Manfred), this appears to show you have addressed most of the things he's said - good light in the eyes and natural looking light and shadow on the face, so well done.

To take things to the next level, the only other suggestion I have would have been to feather/flag/grid to reduce the illumination on his boldly patterned shirt, or replicate that look in PP with a subtle vignette (but NOT applied to the false background).

I'll be interested to see what more experienced portraitists say too.

Cheers,
Dave

[pnodrog]

At a guess diffused lighting from right hand side (window?) and slightly harsher near frontal light from above (flash bounced off reflective ceiling) giving a slight conflict in shadows. Not objectionable but it just makes me curious.

Pleasant portrait that I am sure the subject would be happy with if they ever see it... (my wife constantly tells me off about my lack of sharing the photos I have taken) However it lacks any drama and I think it would look better with a pale neutral blue background with a gentle gradient with the lightest area in the top right corner and a little more space given at the top. Also (pretty certain this is just oops) do away with the slight shadow/darkness adjacent to his right eye and cheek.

It looks to be lacking a bit in contrast (drama?) but that could well be due to the uncalibrated laptop I am using at the moment.

P.S. I wandered off while posting this and see I have just repeated some of Dave's comments above but I assure you the comments are totally independent.

[Shadowman]

Nice effort, the close crop gives it a passport kind of look, nice lighting and focus.

[Manfred M]

+1 to what both Dave and Paul have written.

I personally find that the light you used a bit too "hot" with some dropoff from top to bottom. A bit of burning and dodging and a slight levels adjustment can help here, especially on the forehead and nose, where we really notice the hot spots. I think I would drop the exposure a tiny bit too.

When it comes to background replacement, yes that can be done, but I have never mastered getting it looking quite right, especially when hair is involved. Luminosity masks can work here, but this is an area where I need more practice too. This is one are of photography where paying attention to your background saves you lots of time in PP.

[Digital]

Thanks Dave, Paul, John, and Manfred for your very helpful comments.


Bruce