"Say Cheese" !

Len.. this is a perfect portrait for more than a viewpoint, accurate exposure value, very nice tone mapping, beautiful lighting, cute soft background and finally the great composition. I should say bravo Len

fine simple portrait. Over here we say "teeth".

Thanks for your visit.  I didn't mention it in the 'Details' but the exposure was determined with a Minolta lVf incident exposure meter with the dome at his face & pointed toward the camera.  Portra 160NC is very forgiving film to boot and converts well to B&W.  Film & all manual, how retro is that?  Best, LM.

He was probably thinking, "Hurry up Bozo, it's February & I'm cold"!  :-)  Good to have your approval.  Best, LM.

A simple portrait was all that was intended here but I'm pleased with it anyway.  In another life, when I was doing wedding photography, I sometimes used to get them to say "Beer"!  Kids of a certain age in the group loved it.  "Teeth" sounds like it would do the job also.  Could have used that back when.   "Beer" wears thin after a while.  :-)  Best, LM.

 "Hurry up Bozo, it's February & I'm cold"!  --  Yes, I can actually see him thinking that too, Len... :-)  Although, I'm sure too that he must have been very pleased with the final result of the photo-session... Lovely clarity indeed. I might have preferred seeing a bit more from his torso/shoulder, and a tad less on top, but I like the portrait already as is. Nice work. Best wishes to you, Marjolein

Good suggestion about the amount of area above his head.  I could lose about half of it without creating the tension usually caused by major elements being too close to the frame edge.  I don't know how he feels about this shot.  Guys aren't usually good about expressing their feelings on such matters.  That he didn't try to shove it up my nose is good enough for me. :-)  Best, LM.

Len...  I do see a tad of bemusement in his look; quite normal for the average male subject.  Since he, like me, is very near his second childhood, I would use the word "rhinoceros" -- it works on the 3 to 10 year old group ;-).  Excellent portrait... Mike

So close to the mark on several levels.  :-) Thanks for the tip to induce smiles & for your impressions.  Best, LM.

Technically and otherwise great! Happy New Year Len!

Best regards!

PDE

Thank you.  This one exceeded my expectations, taken as it were,  in a hurry with an entry level zoom at full extension and wide open to boot.  Back at you with the Happy New Year!  Let's continue these dialogues in 2012.  Best, LM.

A very fine portrait - in fact - superb! All the best for 2012.

Just curious did you do some additional processing on the background?

Thanks for your validation!  I did soften the background a tad.  (see 'Technical Details')  A tad too much it would seem since any image manipulation should be transparent, unnoticeable in casual viewing.  Back to the (Photoshop) drawing board.  :-)  Best, LM.

What you did was very good. It was the perfect wedge of hair on the right side that got me curious but I still was not sure. Leave 'as is' .

Your constructive comments\critiques will be gratefully received.

Best, LM.

He was a very patient subject especially while waiting for me to finish monkeying with the camera on a cold day.  A real trooper!  I must admit to a bit of photoshop hanky panky on the background.  :-)  Thanks for your observations.  Best, LM.