Larz

[draymorton]

Very cool, very interesting guy whom I met by chance yesterday in Northern VT. He's a sculptor to the stars, it turns out, with a mind that just won't quit. I liked him immediately.

In progress.



Lighter all around:

[gahspidy]

I like this alot, absolutely nothing to nitpik. i am favoring the lighter version because there is just more pop to it that catches my attention quickly, and is not overdone at all. You being slightly lower than the subject also gives him a stronger and more looming presence whcich fits into his character and the surroundings. The color treatment is good.
Great work

[Greg McCary]

I like the second one the best too. I wish there was just a touch more room at the top and I do mean a touch.

[draymorton]

Thanks both!

[Wolfy]

I would darken the background. Give it a sense of mystery like you don't know what the guy is about. I would do that with levels and bringing up the neutral channel in a selective color layer. But cool composition and subject!

-M

[draymorton]

I agree, Wolfy. Good call. I also think that, in terms of subject/face brightness, somewhere in between the two might be best. Thanks for the feedback!

[draymorton]

What do you think?

[jetrim]

This looks great Dray. Really isolates the subject while introucing a bit of mystery about the surroundings.

[draymorton]

Thanks jet. Yeah I think it's heading in a better direction.

[gahspidy]

I find the last edit way too dark, just me.
I agree with Greg that a touch more room abve the head could help, although I did not get that feeling when first viewing the image, so its really not that big an issue.

I personally find the surroundings more mysterious and interesting in the two light versions as I can see things there that make me wonder what they are which leads me to wonder about this guy and what he does. With it very dark, I seem to lose interest because there is nothing for me to be caught on initially.

I guess its merely a matter of personal preference.

[draymorton]

Thanks Gary. I see what you mean. How about highlighting certain elements in the bg?

A la...

[shootme]

OK I wouldn't have guessed this was one of yours, which I can usually recognise, great subject and place to shoot by the looks of things. What I feel is missing is depth, not in the shot itself but in the colour or should I say in the grey, white and black tonalities. This to give more detail to the features. You have it on the hands in the second last edit, though maybe I'd add contrast (I like contrast). But I'm sure you'll pull some magic out of the had and stun us all with your usual brilliance.

[Overbeyond]

I prefer the second picture posted. It's very unusual and the shapes around the eyes are great (especially the almost half closed one).
I do find the background a bit distraction and therefore I think it should be blurred and faded a little.

[draymorton]

Thanks for taking the time to look and comment, guys. I remain stumped on this one, though.

Blurring usually looks bad unless you really know what you're doing, but I see where you're going, Tom, and I do like the idea.

Again, really appreciate the feedback.

[jetrim]

Blurring usually looks bad unless you really know what you're doing, but I see where you're going, Tom, and I do like the idea.

Dray, I tried a really quick edit using OnOne Focal Point with a mask (to be able to keep the hands sharp), as the suggestion intrigued me too. Again this is a QUICK edit from the second image posted in this thread, but the initial results look promising.

The result:

[draymorton]

Jet, that's actually really cool. I do see the charm. What is OnOne Focal Point? How much does it cost?

I know this is still the dark version, but does color help?

[jetrim]

What is OnOne Focal Point? How much does it cost?

That mostly depends on where you shop for it

Seriously, here's the official info: http://www.ononesoftware.com/detail.php?prodLine_id=35

[shootme]

Jet, that's actually really cool. I do see the charm. What is OnOne Focal Point? How much does it cost?

I know this is still the dark version, but does color help?

Yes, this is Draymorton for me, I'd be happy just here I know your probably not but I'd be running around the house (it's not very big) praising myself on a great job. I'd probably try to get the eyes to pop a bit more, lightening and contrast and I'd lighten his right hand to be similar to his left. Great shot.

[Greg McCary]

I find the bg interesting an loaded with extra details that add much to the photo. I wouldn't blur it. I stand by the first two shots being the right ones. There comes a point when you can out guess yourself with edits. Color is nice but B&W works for me.