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Challenge: Portrait II (Advanced Editing VII)
Collection: Challenges
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D
Location: My Garage
Date: Jan 1, 2012
Aperture: f/8
ISO: 300
Shutter: 1/90
Galleries: Portraiture, Black and White
Date Uploaded: Jan 1, 2012

I used my only speedlite, a single sb-600 mounted on board and I used 2 work lights with full spectrum bulbs and a piece of paper over them to soften the light. One behind and one in front of me with the speedlight bouncing off the ceiling and an index card rubber banded straight up to attempt to spread the light. Very crude setup by I think can take a lot away from this attempt.

This is my first attempt at a portrait and my first self portrait at the same time. Really would like this one to do well. It feels weird to put myself out there. Just something I'm not used to. I went back and forth between 7 different variations before stopping on this one.

Thank You to Bear_Music, ScooterMcNutty, and tanguerafor the pre-challenge advice.

Statistics
Place: 41 out of 93
Avg (all users): 5.7908
Avg (commenters): 7.1667
Avg (participants): 5.7547
Avg (non-participants): 5.8100
Views since voting: 773
Views during voting: 304
Votes: 153
Comments: 10
Favorites: 0


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AuthorThread
01/15/2012 05:49:39 PM
Greetings from the Critique Club!

First impression: 'Wow do I ever want to get this shirt and tie off!' Glad to say I gave this a 6, because it does convey a lot more than many portraits, which are usually flattering to the subject.

Artistic: Very raw and convincing self-portrait, you went for the stressed-out look so well i can feel you vibrating from here. Either you're about to attend a year-end review with the head honcho (and didn't get a good night's sleep or enough time to shave or comb your hair), or you had about 10 cups of espresso pre-shoot :-) I think you managed to hit on the universal theme of discomfort and tenseness with this shot. Pity more voters didn't relate to that end of the human spectrum of emotions.

Technical: Very good in terms of lighting, the comp is certainly more compelling than the usual eyes-to-the-camera which you see in most portraits. Looks like you may have been a little close to the bg but then, maybe that's what stressed you out? ;-) I do like the lighting descrip and never apologize for homemade low-budget light setups. Besides, the lighting adds to the impression that you are feeling the heat.

Overall: Excellent work and not a bad finish at all, so give yourself a pat on the back. And always nice to see a shout-out to teammates who've given you help along the way. Keep up the shooting and exploring those emotions so rarely seen here!

Feel free to PM me.

Susan
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/10/2012 11:52:54 AM
WTG, Louis! Not a bad finish at all. Look at your commenter average!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/09/2012 08:56:09 AM
OK, I am not sure how this ended up this far down. I loved this. Great tones and detail. Interesting pose. I think it is outstanding.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
01/08/2012 10:23:04 PM
Wow. Perfect.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/07/2012 06:22:41 PM
And I feel it here. Very unsettling, almost painful to view. Good.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/06/2012 09:31:01 PM
Harsh contrast and hard, unflattering light, which go well with the uncomfortable situation.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/06/2012 07:33:35 PM
this is a much better edit. nicely done with the hair :) Sorry i slacked in delaying my comment.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/04/2012 03:10:01 PM
More emotive than portrait but a nice photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/02/2012 12:06:23 PM
This making me stressed so I guess its a good image ?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/02/2012 12:16:40 AM
Hey Louis! Good luck!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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