A State of Mind

Good choice NOT to add a border, I like it. Expression adds excitement, great take on theme too IMO. Glad there is a slight twist in the helmut giving it some depth, and allowing our imaginations to finish the picture.

I like it too, and I'm with Matt on the no-border element. A pity that the shot is a bit hot on nose and (mainly right) cheek.

 

Though here the wind is not going to do much with the hair :)

 

Good one!

 

Tom

Very nice take on the theme - hair or no hair!

 

This person is obviously having fun, it's visible in the eyes and smile.

 

The lack of border it very creative and gives it a sort of "floaty" feel - I'm getting visions of an astronaut in space.

 

I'd prefer it a bit less grainy, but that's a personal thing.

Hmm could have sworn that I already commented on this one, but alas don't see a comment. I like this very much, and think it's a very good theme fit. I do wonder whether slightly less contrast would have been better allowing some more shadow detail. Either way cool shot. Kind of looks like someone's PN portrait (style-wise).

like this very much ... messed with it to remove contrast and add a bit of edge to it (well in my mind anyway) it has a touch of out of this worldliness so have bumped that up a bit. its a very effective shot pt

Thanx to all for comments to date.

The lack of border was a definite plan when concieving this image. I wanted to show an experience that typified a windblown, carefree lifestyle/activity that didn't allow the hair to be blown about, as being windblown can be a state of mind as well as a literal experience!

Glad you like the twist in the helmet Matt - wanted to give a little depth.

I tried an approach to concentrate the viewer on the experience the subject (my brother) attempted to show with his expression, and so went for the high contrast treatment using a layer mask to erase the outer edge of the helmet from view.

I tried to preserve detail everywhere, Tom and Thomas, and on the original file there is! Could PN jpeg compression be removing detail? The web version certainly shows a lack of detail compared to my PC version so that is all i can assume.

The grainy feel is, i think Dominique, due to the channel mixing i used. I have noted before that skin tones tend to become grainy and it is something i will certainly have to look at in future when i convert to mono.

Like your treatment Liv, although i don't feel it is something that is just suited for this image. It makes it look like a poor definition TV screen IMO. How did you do it if i may ask?

Once more thanks for PTicipating!!

I loaded the previous comment under my own name rather than PT as i had two IE windows open at the time. I then spent a fruitless ten mins trying to delete it but getting server failure errors all the time.

 

Sorry all!

I like this a lot--great high key approach. I love how the white helmet merges into the background. It's as though his world is wide-open and he's ready for adventure. Great shot!

Reminds me of an older Dutch advertisment for chewinggum I think. "It couldn't get much fresher was the slogan" I like the washed out helmet and the face that realy "screams". Pearcing eyes. Intense. Good shot.

Is this Damian?

Great shot, cobber...

Peter

 

It is indeed Damian. Exposed on another shot -doohh!

 

Cheers

Wow! Good eyes Peter!

No, it was Damian's eyes that gave it away, Tom... ;-)

Thanks for the confirmation, Darrell!