unlearny

I'm not sure if T&S would add anything or take away or neither. I want to

capture detail and a sense of drama. For nearly twenty years I've been

making these tiny sculptures from individual coins, and I am finally at a

level, in my photography, where I can get most everything in focus, close

enough to maintain files size, and I feel ready to order some 40"x40"

prints and show them. I think this is a good time for a reality check.

Thanks in advance for your help. Blunt is good.

I find this image to be very well composed, and imagine it as part of a series.  The image is executed well, and the shallow depth of field really makes his face pop.  

I love the background, and feel it creates a pleasing painterly effect, like the portraiture of Chuck Close.  The technical challenge would be to either increase the effect on his torso or remove it from his torso, so it appears as though a photo realistic face painted onto a trunk, or to commit to the effect as a background.  

The in-betweenness of the effect on his torso feels a little slapdash.  Although I like the obscured horizon line between the backdrop and the shirt, which is why I suggested applying the effect more to see how it looked.

Either way, or even without it, I would love to see a series of photographic portraits in this vein.  The painterly effect could change with each person to reflect their style.  Gosh, that would make a great series... painters, with their paintings as backdrops, shot in that style.  You owe me one.  You should pitch that at Nylon or Art Forum!  

sitting in the lens shade puts you very close to the lens. I think you will need a reversal ring at the very least.

probably a bellows would be best.