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A friend asked for a quick job for a programme for a concert he is tenor in...

He wanted a BW head and torso, I sent him these two which he is quite happy with, I of course can see the imperfections like the bright background behind the hair which means the hair loses distinction



He prefers number one... I am unsure which I prefer... I like the expression and tone in 1 but like the compo of two better...

oops... silly me, I just deleted one of them...

Oh well

Well I prefer number 1 as well, I personally would of suggested he wear something different for the photo (if I had the option). Not keen on the knit he's wearing.
Another little nit pick is the glasses split the eyes a little, a slightly lower perspective and you could of got most the eyes in the glasses.

Other then that, a nice B&W portrait (they are all the rage atm).

Given that #2 is AWOL, I prefer #1.

And here was I, expecting an avatar ...

fixed

Still prefer #1

The pose in the second one looks too smug for my liking.

I'd probably be inclined to crop more tightly when it comes to giving him the final version.

Scott, the second one still has the issue with the bright sky and his hair, but is also has a much more distracting background due to the Higher DOF, so I'll still vote #1.

#2 did fix the problem I had with the glasses though.

I agree with what's been said so far, for me the most annoying thing is the inclusion of only one shoulder. It kind of makes it unbalanced.

Scott... given that he has said he's happy with #1, and I'd agree that it is the better of the two, I'd suggest doing a little PP to improve the background and maybe crop a little of the bottom to improve the overall balance... then leave it at that. Keep in mind that for this kind of work, if the client is happy, then you should be too.

phillipb wrote:I agree with what's been said so far, for me the most annoying thing is the inclusion of only one shoulder. It kind of makes it unbalanced.

Actually that is intentional... I found that an unballanced composition made for a stronger composition...

As it is for a concert I wanted a slightly more "Artistic" look to it that a straight on portrait....

Yes, the thing that I dont like about 2 is the background... there is to much..

In 1 the 50/1.4 (At ~2. did a good job seperating the subject from the background...

#1 has way better light qualities. #2 looks a little bit garish in comparison. #1 is nice and soft and natural.

MHD wrote: Actually that is intentional... I found that an unballanced composition made for a stronger composition...

As it is for a concert I wanted a slightly more "Artistic" look to it that a straight on portrait....

Fair enough Scott, although if it is to be intentional I would then crop a little more from the right and give a bit more room to the left, that way it shows that it was meant to be that way. Just my opinion though.

Scott
Presenting the shoulders front on to the camera is always awkward. It is much better to get the subject 3/4 on and then get them to turn their head to the camera. This reduces the profile of the body and adds a little 'dynamic tension' to the image.

Thanks for that Matt! Sounds like good advice... Might have to play with that a bit...

[quote="Alpha_7"]Well I prefer number 1 as well, I personally would of suggested he wear something different for the photo (if I had the option). Not keen on the knit he's wearing.
Another little nit pick is the glasses split the eyes a little, a slightly lower

Alpha that is what makes them different from the rest of us

LOZ wrote:

Alpha_7 wrote:Well I prefer number 1 as well, I personally would of suggested he wear something different for the photo (if I had the option). Not keen on the knit he's wearing.
Another little nit pick is the glasses split the eyes a little, a slightly lower

Alpha that is what makes them different from the rest of us

Loz - you've lost me