Irish

[shootme]

Running round in circles, though I guess one must travel some roads to find they are not the right ones. I actually prefer the second, but with the handkerchief of the last. Agree with you BR the background is not so good and I can see why you darkened it. Like Frog mentioned something in between and if you cant do that then I'd go for #2, minus red handkerchief. Cheers.

[gahspidy]

Absolutely see why you did what you had to with the bg. Although I agree with Frog in that something in between the last and previous edit and I also can go either way with the color hanky.
Another suggestion. . .what about just reducing the contrast of the bg by removing the black from the tonal range and still lighting it up a bit more. A bit brighter but with very little black and contrast. Also, I think the vignette is too heavy in the last.
I think you can actually get those patterns of leaves and foliage in the bg to work for you.
Whatever you do, this is still a fine photo to begin with.

[BlueRob]

I have been following this thread since it started. I found the original image very good with a man exhibiting lots of character appearing to be posed with sun on his face and it isn't easy to get such a good shot of anybody with sun on their face. I wondered if others would find it too bright and couldn't decide myself and still haven't.
I've just scrolled up and down, comparing the first with the second. I see the technical improvements in the second with more detail in the face but personally I'd like to see something between the two.
As for the selective color; I didn't even notice the red handkerchief for some time as the face is so captivating that I never scrolled down far enough to see it. After it was mentioned, I got rid of all my tool bars so I could see the whole photo without scrolling. I only found it slightly distracting when I did. I did find the red version of BR Photo really distracting.
I never noticed background smudges and though there may be a better bg, the dark one did not bother me. HOWEVER! That last one is just....well...awful! It immediatly pulls my eyes away from the face.
This is all from someone who can only admire those who are working with techniques that he only wishes to learn and I thank all of you for the insights you share with all of us.

Thanks for that long input Frog. The previous BG didn´t bother me either, as for the selective colored handkerchief personally I like it B&W now, since it definitely takes away some attention out of the face when you watch the whole picture (same as the red BR signature). The background Awful yes not my cup of tea either. I will try to leave some of the leaves details with a darker BG...in other words I´ll do a "merge" between them.
Thanks a gain for your comments Frog.

[BlueRob]

Running round in circles, though I guess one must travel some roads to find they are not the right ones. I actually prefer the second, but with the handkerchief of the last. Agree with you BR the background is not so good and I can see why you darkened it. Like Frog mentioned something in between and if you cant do that then I'd go for #2, minus red handkerchief. Cheers.

Got it! Yeap now the red hanky is out of the way, the marrow of this shot is the face and thanks to the comments now I know is better without it.:thumbsup:
I´ll do a merge between BG as suggested cause this last one...well...does not satisfies me at all. I need something darker but subtle some the attention remains in the face.
Thanks Shootme!:thumbsup:

[BlueRob]

Absolutely see why you did what you had to with the bg. Although I agree with Frog in that something in between the last and previous edit and I also can go either way with the color hanky.
Another suggestion. . .what about just reducing the contrast of the bg by removing the black from the tonal range and still lighting it up a bit more. A bit brighter but with very little black and contrast. Also, I think the vignette is too heavy in the last.
I think you can actually get those patterns of leaves and foliage in the bg to work for you.
Whatever you do, this is still a fine photo to begin with.

Interesting approach Gary....but by doing what you suggest with the BG it will end up light greyish with the leaves smudges in between? Hope I understood correctly.

Dont you think that the face will "blend" with the BG that way?

Thanks for your comments Gary:thumbsup:

[BlueRob]

As Shootme said...going around in circles.....a sort of merge between backgrounds, looks definitely better that the last one IMO and more natural than the plain BG of the first pic...so I guess this suits better all around. So far it makes me happy...tomorrow with fresh eyes I`ll have my "final" verdict.

Gary, I tried your approach mentioned above but didn't ended up in something of my linking..that taking into account my uncertainty about the correct doing of what you suggested LOL.