An Embarrassment Of Riches, Plate 1

[draymorton]

[jetrim]

I'm liking this new plate series a lot. There is something odd with this one though, there seems to be a haze across the bottom half, which begs the question "on purpose, or accidental? If it's smoke, it's not enough. If it's from window light, it's too much...

[draymorton]

Thanks, jet. Yeah, the hazy look was bothering me, too, and I wasn't sure what to do about it. It is supposed to be smoke. I think I'm leaning toward adding some more down below and bringing out the real smoke a little more around his face.

Is the strobage convincing as window light?

Btw, I just looked at this image on someone else's monitor and realized how off mine is - way too bright, saturated, and warm. My last two posts look flat and horrible on the other display. And with far too heavy a cyan bias. After I increased the contrast a bit and shifted the bias, this image looked worlds better...

[Frog]

I'd love to be able to do this kind of stuff. If that is strobage, it appears very natural to my untrained eye. The face is great!

[BlueRob]

Sh/it Dray that is way cool!

I love the light/shadow in here, I hope to someday I could get this sort of illumination in one of my shots. The subject looks great, skin, eyes, posture.
Possible points for improvement...the smoke on the knee area does not look that good, the crop is a bit tight for my taste on the sides and the "V" shaped shadow over the head distracts me a bit...I guess by making that shadow less uniform would aid.

Great work Dray.

[daq7]

That is an amazing shot man. The drawing on the left is such a good image for this.

[daq7]

Yeah dray, to answer the specific question, the light does look like window light, but it looks like cold window light. Not sure that fits with the warm feeling of the top part of the portrait. Maybe a warm gel was in order, but I have never even tried that.

[Frog]

Just to add that it looks so much like a painting.

[draymorton]

Thanks all. Very good points made, as usual.

Rob - what would you suggest for the knee area? The left side is as wide as it goes. I did crop in from the right, reason being that the arm of the chair was cut off in the original composition (didn't see it through the vf - the room was very dark and I was not entirely with it) and it really drew attention to itself. The "V" can be lessened if you think that would help.

daq - yeah, a CTO would probably have been good in this case, but the strobe I was using was a bare bulb model with no reflector. I might be able to warm up the light in PS.

[gahspidy]

Nice one. I agree about the smoke at the lower area. Its not looking like smoke, but rather just seems to be washed out and fading. Its not giving me any mood, if thats what your hoping it does. However, its not something that breaks the deal on what is a great portrait. If the smoke effect was added, I think it does not need it. If anything, maybe a bit of smoke trailing up and swirling up away from the cigarette.
The lighting does look natural and is enough to bring out the subject and still create a dark room mood. There is a reflection on the arm rest of the chair on the subjects right. Its bright and catches my eye. i would suggest cloning it out.
The crop is tight on the sides as Rob stated, but it does not hurt much and if there is no more room to be had, would not worry bout it.
I'm feeling that you could lighten the image up slightly to bring out more and would not lose the mood here.
Aside from the nitpiks, I would say this is a good portrait and one that should be in your portfolio.
Very nice work.

[Nicci]

Excellent shot. I just looked at it said "wow" out loud to a room full of coffee drinkers (I am at a coffee house).

[BlueRob]

Thanks all. Very good points made, as usual.

Rob - what would you suggest for the knee area? The left side is as wide as it goes. I did crop in from the right, reason being that the arm of the chair was cut off in the original composition (didn't see it through the vf - the room was very dark and I was not entirely with it) and it really drew attention to itself. The "V" can be lessened if you think that would help.

A re-shoot!
Na, seriously for the knee I guess some, cloning, burning and the usual treatment...this to vanish the "faded" looks on the area.
As for the shadow on top of the head just a small touch up with the dodge tool I think will do.
As Gary said the crop its really a nit pick and does not take anything out of the image.

If you are planing a re shoot I would avoid smoke in front of the subject and as Gary said try to make a more defined trail over the cigar...

Fine image no doubt Dray :thumbsup:

[draymorton]

Thanks guys. Grateful for the feedback.

Gary - thanks. I didn't notice the bright spot, believe it or not. I agree that the smoke is a bit much and i think I can reduce the effect. I should add, too, that I brightened the image and increased the contrast shortly after posting this version and it looks much better.

Nicci - could've been worse (spittake?)

Rob - only if you'll be my assistant! Will definitely take care of the smoke. Fortunately I think I can do that without having to resort to the dodge/burn...

Thanks again!

[BlueRob]

Rob - only if you'll be my assistant! Will definitely take care of the smoke. Fortunately I think I can do that without having to resort to the dodge/burn...

Thanks again!

It will be a pleasure Dray...I´ll be glad to learn a few things from you in the process
Does the offer include a round trip to NYC? LOL!

Great shot as I said before.