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Comments welcome. I grew up playing basketball for over 12 years, so thought I'd like to incorporate that somehow. Actually the hooded jumper was a gift from when I toured the states with a team and we played against some high schools over there.

This image has a lot of potential Owen.

I like the mood you've created with the hoodie and the composition. How did you set up the lighting? I like the way only your face and parts of the ball has been softly lit. I can't put my finger on it but it's just missing something, could be the flat grey background that's putting me off.

Thanks Piro. I originally had my other should in the frame but I cropped it because it was too empty on the RHS. Lighting was bounced flash off the roof. I would really like to get a shot like this right so if you can think of what it is that is missing then let me know. Perhaps my expression needs changing or something like that.

I like it.

Good lighting and feel, and I think that the ball nicely offsets the AWOL shoulder and arm.

Owen - a nicely balanced shot - the hood reminds me of the TV AIDs ads in the 80’s

Thanks Gary and Chris. (Sorry, no idea what ads you're talking about)

Owen the thing that immediately struck me is the PP has made your face texture someone similar to the basketball, I'm not sure if you meant this to happen, but I found it an interesting yet slightly disturbing element to your shot. I waited to see if anyone else noticed it, but they didn't so perhaps it's just me. Other then then that I like the elements and the balance involved, perhaps a better background or more intresting lightening good strengthen the shot.

THanks Craig. I noticed this too and tried to undo it, but I couldnt'. Then I tried to blur my forehead a little, but then it looked bad because the rest of the photo was sharp. Not sure exactly what step did this, but possibly the contrast increase. If you've got any ideas on how to eliminate this without a 'glamour blur' I'd love to know

I think what Craig mentioned about your face being the same colour as the ball contributes to the image not being there as yet. It's not the only thing, but one of the things.

Have you tried to go for a desaturated look to the image or selective colouring? Have a look at Rokkstar's images for some awesome desat. ideas (sorry anybody else who desaturates their images...Rokkstar always stays in my mind - I've been scarred for life with his Hoff avatar).

Figured out what was causing the acne scars... it was the sharpening I did to the image. Here's one where I sharpened, changed the WB and added a lighting effect to the background.

I think it's an improvement although it kind of loses that darkish mood of the first one.



I still think the background needs work though...

like the composition the best
lighting is good too but for such an urban subject i woudl of lit it so there is more shadow under the eyebrow ridge to make it a litlte more menacing

but it's great!

Thanks very much Wendell.

Here's another just a different pose.

I prefer this ones pose but would prefer to see the rest of the ball.

I too prefer the 2nd one Owen - like Leigh would like to see more (all) of the ball. Got any more poses to show us? This 2nd image I could see on a sporting magazine with the title "Basketball - where we've been and where we are" or something! Looks good!

Thanks Leigh and Geoff. I don't think I've got any more that work, but I think I might try a re-shoot and see what I can come up with.