environmental portraits Mr. Z Again

The subject was a perfect stranger. I asked his permission to take

his picture. He agreed, and this is the result. In the original

image posted below I felt there where too many background

distractions. This is what I did in post processing to correct the

problem. So, I rate myself a [6] on originality and a [6] on

aesthetics. In other words, I did a very good job in pre and post

processing. What are your thoughts?

Before Making Changes

Excellent work after shooting but well captured in the first place, and, what a character.

He is STANDING, I don't know if this is correct english, but for sure he is very present. But why are you giving you yourselff 6/6, is that a hint, that's the only thing I don't like about the picture, but perhaps I misunderstand you.

 

Els

He looks like the American Rasputin with that beard.

No hint intended. It's how I would rate the image. You rate from your perspective. I am trying to create more dialouge around my images.

Nice PS job, Howard! I like the after version better for sure. An improvement I can think of is to add "highlight" that will suggest the edges (brim) of his hat. As for your introduction/assessment of this image is concern, I can appreciate your up front opinion, and totally understand where you're coming from.

Nice work- This guy is great as a subject....I like the original too! It's a little too orange for me....maybe my screen...

Very nice, I like what you have done in P/S. What a beard! I find myself wondering how you would keep something that long clean? Hummm..... Nice job!

Beautiful toning, Howard...very effective photoshop rendition...the highlights in the hat and hair stand out so nicely with a dark, rich background....Great work!

Nice work in PS Howard, that ameliorated the original. the man is a good capture of yours all together.He has very expressive face. Pnina

I'll go for the face too.

Superb image Howard and your rendering of the final work strongly enhances it's impact.

Wonderful to see what you did with your original image. Your post work and conception of where you wanted this image to go was very good.

I just read my earlier comment and it didn't read right at all! I have removed it.

 

This character is very characteristic and he does help to make the photograph good!

I like the golden tone in this portrait.

I like what you did with this one. I think it's important that you cropped long to keep most of his beard in the shot. So much texture and detail that makes this stand out.

Hi Howard, this is what I meant about the hat (both left and right brims) and also squeezed out some more detail from his hat ornaments. This is one my favorite from you. ^_^

Hi Howard!

I like what you done!

I was thinking the same thing as Wilson on this one before reading the comments. The hate disappears on the right badly and a little on the left. If you could bring up some background lighting, I think it would improve the shot. As a whole a very nice treatment. You know... I'd love to see this in a sepia tone shot even with some crackling effect added. This guy looks like something out of the 1800's. It would be a very cool "Old" photo look to work with.

 

Great shot Howard.

One of your best! Greatly improved image after processing with PS. Black background really makes him pop and golden tones enhance. Great work!

his beard looks like hay... great shot

Nice crisp image the way it should be. Well done Howard.

Nice detail, Howard. This is one of your strongest portraits you've submitted! Good job!

very good work here Howard..this has to be one of the best iv seen here..great tone..sharp..good cropping..and a superb contact with eye/lense love the expression.. --willy--