Gramps

Here is my grandfather. This is probably the best expression I've

photographed from him. I'm aware of the blown out area on top of his

head, but this was the way the negative was. Using a flash would of

helped, but I may have lost the darker skin tones on his face.

So very good! Lots of personality shining thru. The only problem as you mention is the lack of highlight detail at the top of his head and his beard. However, this kind of detail in photoshop is something that can be cloned very nicely from other areas of his beard. You possibly might want to tweak the contrast down a little in the shadows on the skin. With these improvements (unless you are a purist and they rub you the wrong way) you could have a 7/7.

This is an image that becomes an heirloom. 5/6

Scott,

Why don't you reprint and burn in the washed out areas of Gramps' beard. Except for the top of the forehead the face seems about right to me. Surely you can get more range from the neg. It would make the image an unforgettable one.