Headshot Test

This is an image from my first head shot session. I am going to attach the

original for comparison and would like to know how my processing is. Is it

over the top? How could I improve on it? Thanks in advance for your help

on this one.

Here is the original for comparison.

Paul, I think this is excellent, and your processing is excellent as well.  Even when just initially viewing the thumbnail, my first reaction was "genuine portrait," meaning you've shown a real person here.  I don't know if the experienced portrait photographers will say anything about his left shoulder -- I'm on thin ice when I venture too far into something I know relatively little about.  I really do like what you've accomplished here.

Thanks Stephen.  When I took on this session I was a little uncertain of how far to go with the processing, even though I did a bunch of research on this area.  I am curious to to see if any others, such as professional headshot people, comment on this one.  Ultimately it is his mother's opinion that matters the most as she has taken her son to a number of professional studios, and said that my images were as good as the rest she has had done.  Take care my friend.

I agree with Stephen . A natural and relaxed looking portrait that I'm sure his Mum will be pleased with . If you want to tone down the shoulder , try dragging a neutral to clear gradient over it on a new layer ! Then you can adjust the opacity to to suit . Bill

With gradient .

Thanks for the tip, William.  I never thought about doing that.  I will do this to the original, and email it to the mother for the okay!  Take care, and thanks for stopping by to help.