Mr T-Model Ford Himself

Have been having trouble getting this right. Any suggestions or do I have

it the best I can with the capture I have ?

My Bad. This is T-Model Ford NOT Model T Ford.

I'm going out on a limb here because my eye for composition is much less refined and much less experienced than yours, but the only thing that I might want to try is to have the people in the background to be less distinct.  However, to do that digitally after the exposure has usually been less effective than doing it with the camera aperture at the time of exposure in the photographs that I've seen from other photographers.  Maybe that's just indicative of lack of expertise with computer software, or maybe shallow depth-of-field as well as bokeh that might be associated with that shallow DOF are exceedingly difficult to replicate digitally.

I like the look you've been able to capture for Mr. T -- he seems to be in his element, patiently waiting for the right hour.

GREAT D.O.F. AND NICE CAPTURE HERE. IT DIFFERENT AND I LIKE THAT

Thank you Carla and Stephan for your comments.

This is one of a very quick series of shots after interviewing him on video. It was a beginner's mistake, but I just started shooting with the 17mm end of my zoom, which was a good decision. What wasn't a good decision was f11 so everything behind him was pretty sharp. Wish I had been just a few inches lower as well so that the vertical line in the roof support was not there. I have blurred the whole background in PS and perhaps need to blur the people a bit more as well as lighten them. The thing is, the image just grabs who he is or who came through as during the interview. What a character. T was just sitting around waiting to perform at 11 am with his cup of Jack Daniels in hand and seriously flirting with my spouse.  Here is a link to the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMtyQFVF0g0 Remember we are not professional videographers, but they broke mold after making Mr. T Model Ford.

Oh and Stephan don’t give me that stuff about my far greater experience than yours…we both know that’s not true :-).

He looks younger than me. Kol Hakavod

As I began to work on this again, my spouse and I talked about how well he looked as we did down in Mississippi after we first met him. I have the advantage of being able to zoom in on his face in PS and my Nikor 17-35mm is a sharp as they get. While sitting, this man could pass for 71. He does not look 91 at all. He flirts like a much younger man as well, and is on his 6th wife (63 years old, said she asked him). Must be the continual sipping of Jack Daniels that keeps him young. He implied pretty much that it was always Jack Daniels time. He is a little more frail on his feet, walking with a cane. Glad you all like the shot.

Excellent portrait!

The only thing that troubles me is the roof line. If it were mine, I might try lightning that roof. Great portrait though! Definitely his personality shines through! Never would have guessed that he is 91!

Enjoyed your video clip too!

Linda, you have no idea the things I have dealt with to get this image where it is here...just becasue I wanted that self assured face of a 91 year old man. I have looked at it without the roof and finally settled on the attached image. The straight line of the roof support really bothered me so I just grabbed T and slid him up a bit and recropped with a bit more background blur. I am finally happy with the image and it is now in a frame for a show later this month. Thanks.

Lynn. I have looked at your photographs and you have plenty of expertise. Thanks for your comment.

I had to put the versions side by side to see the changes.  A bit more blur in the background, and a bit more contrast (or vibrancy??) on Mr. T-Model Ford.  Subtle, but very effective.  He's a proud, happy man in his element and enjoying every minute of it.  That comes across very clearly in your photograph.  To know a self-assured face of a 91-year-old person was your goal, I'd respond that you nailed it at the time the photograph was taken and in your processing of the photo.  It's always inspiring to see a vision come to life and be realized.

I think you got Model T just right.  What you need is more Model T and less background.

Thanks Alex. I tried a closer crop on T, but it just didn't appeal to my sense of what an environmental portrait should look like.

Nice portrait with some style.  Unique.  Very good.  Best Regards,

what environment? Mister T owns the shot entirely and nothing else matters here. Mister T is a mighty strong figure and an obvious sensualist, a connoisseur the camera loves instantly and unreservedly. Some people project that sort of power and confidence, and the camera gorges on glow and charisma, and Mr. T clearly loves the camera right back --- when everything aligns a portrait shines!

kudos to Paul Mongillo for clicking the shutter just right --- this one is alive!