portrait for critique

thanks for your time and input.
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Bryan

Sorry for the no exif info.  Image was shot with a Canon 10d, Tamron 28-75 XR Di lens.  No flash used, no reflector used.  The firetruck was parked on concrete that kicked light up into his face.  Original image shot raw, processed in CS2 camera raw.  I converted it to black and white using PR studio's black and white plugin and added a sepia tone to the image with the exception of the subject. Dodging and burning also applied in photoshop.
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Bryan

Your image of the fire fighter is a good one- it is a nice character study.  You use of available light is good but the eyes are slightly obscured in shadow. Tis oftentimes happens in open shade or where the main light source is coming from overhead.  When this becomes very sever- the result is know as "raccoon eyes".  If not enough light is getting into the eyes and will lack shadow detail and lose their brilliance.  You do have catch-lights showing which is good. As a result of the lighting, your subject looks a bit tired, however, this may turn out to be a good effect since a guy can certainly be tired after fighting a fire- it's a matter of interpretation.

A very low power off camera flash would improve the eyes- better yet a Small shiny reflector works well where skylight is used- you see what you are getting right on the spot.

The composition is slightly too tight- just a little more space  would reveal more fire apparatus- given the hard hat my first impression was that he is a construction guy, then a rescue worker and lastly a fireman.  Some jurisdictions still use the traditional helmet, others use the respirator mask/helmet with a visor and many use the hard hat.

Sepia???  I think Black and White would be better.  Sepia tends to suggest a nostalgic image where this one is a NOW image- up close and personal. 

I like the photograph- the suggestions given here would have enhanced the it.

Ed Shapiro
« Last Edit: August 17, 2007, 10:02:49 PM by Ed Shapiro »
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Ed Shapiro
The Hintonburg Studio
Suite 201  78 Hinton Avenue North
Ottawa, Ontario CANADA  K1Y 0Z8
613-792-4837    Email:  edshapiro@rogers.com

What can I add to Ed's critique . . . this is very good image with a few little things that bother me . . .

The subject head position is what makes him look tired.  In my view, he is slouching and his head is tilted to his right.  His back should be straighter and his head tilted to the left (the lower shoulder).

I like the direct eye contact and don't think that his eyes are too dark.  (Frankly, I think that Ed's monitor is too dark!)  He has very deep set, smallish, eyes.  There's really not much that you can do about that.

The right edge of the image appears to be over burned and it cuts into the rear of the truck.  Of course, I can't tell what you are trying to hide in there!

Ed
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Ed Farmer
Mount Laurel, New Jersey

www.edfarmerphotography.com
www.photoartsforum.com

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