Here I've attempted to light this similar to George Hurrell - The 'Grand Seigneur of the Hollywood Portrait'. I feel I've managed to capture some of the same feeling as the old cinema posters and stil

Here I've attempted to light this similar to George Hurrell - The

'Grand Seigneur of the Hollywood Portrait'. I feel I've managed to

capture some of the same mood as the old cinema posters and

stills from the Silver Age of Hollywood Cinema.

 

Please comment and critique.

Lucas, I had access to boxes full of photos from a movie studio, all from the 40's, and this shot does very much have the quality that those photos had. I love this lighting as I love the lighting done in old black & white movies. You did an incredible job of duplicating that wonderful lighting. Excellent!

Great lighting. Skin tone is great. Very good capture of this model. 10/8. Only 8 because not totally original, but the 10 on look makes up for it.

Interesting. But you know I never recall seeing Joan Crawford or Jean Harlow with the knuckle chain thing accessory..kidding, I realize this is a guy. Pearls wouldnt fit. Lighting is dramatic,now work on costumery. Hurrell used draped clothes on women and exotic background screens for his shots. And mythic themes as in his photo of Ramon Navarro. Opulent feel he was after,mythic quality. An interesting book I think you would enjoy is called "Masters of Starlight," ISBN0-345-35509-1. I love the old time studio shots. They are getting a reappreciation today.Thanks for opportunity to comment Lucas.

As good as it gets, Lucas !! Perfect ! Sorry for that, but I've stopped rating pictures... You make me regret it... :-) Congrats.

Great picture Lucas.

I too have always been a fan of the film noir(sp?) look. You've done a great job in capturing the feeling. Then going with the 'street kid' model adds a nice original touch.

 

This kind of lighting is something I've always wanted to try, and with a portfolio shoot coming up tomorrow morning, I think I'll give it a try. Thanks for the insperation.

 

 

lighting is superb and the tough look works well it it!

Great shot excellent lighting.

Lucas,

I really love this shot! This light is wonderfull. Very, very, very nice picture. Keep this good work and clever ideas. Congratulations!

Yes, it's well done, but I think the chain is wrong. It's too new, too theatrical. I've been threatened with a beating by a street kid: he just pulled his sweater sleaves down over his scarred knuckles. I remember the gesture years later because it was so clearly a practical thing that he'd learnt through practice. Your subject has nice smooth hands and doesn't look about to hit anybody... in which case the fist might be better down, playing with the chain. If it's up and be brandished, the face should have a bit more Diane Arbus-style hatred and violence.

 

Of course this is all just my reaction and might say more about me than the photo :-/

Nice shot, pulled off lighting and reference you were going for, good contrast between style and model--agree he looks "TV tough" not street tough. Lots of good points already made. Thanks for giving so much technical info.

Thanks for all the comments everyone.

Very encouraging to get such a positive response!

 

RE: Graham Byrnes - I had some thoughts about the chain as well. In the end I chose to go with it as I was trying to emmulate the Hurrell type of a shot. Which is rather theatrical. I think I ended up with a kind of hybrid shot... and older style of lighting and a new subject and props.

 

Interesting what you said about the 'street kid' thing... I grew up in a fun little place called Logan Heights, San Diego-CA.... as a kid down there anything was fair game. Chains, tire irons and the odd King Cobra bottle included. In LH anyone pulling their shirt sleeves over their fists to get down would've gotten smoked. ;-)

 

I will be doing some more shot's in this series.. and will post when I get a chance.

Again thanks for all the comments.

 

I've restarted rating people. Too bad. I'm now forced to hit you bad with a 10 / 9... :-)

 

Congrats. A fabulous image.

Reminicing about those days when you lived in LA huh? Overall nice image. George Hurrell huh? he was the best Hollywood Glamour photographer. anyway great shot. nice dramatic lighting. overall really nice shot.