portrait with XA1 35/1.4

a quick snap of an Aussie mate in a restaurant in Bangkok. Too bad about the TV monitor in the background. Otherwise a keeper IMHO. The other problem was that it was almost tooo sharp (me and my mates getting a few wrinkles these days), so I converted it to B&W in Lightroom and softened it a bit.

Any comments, please?

KKJohn wrote:

a quick snap of an Aussie mate in a restaurant in Bangkok. Too bad about the TV monitor in the background. Otherwise a keeper IMHO. The other problem was that it was almost tooo sharp (me and my mates getting a few wrinkles these days), so I converted it to B&W in Lightroom and softened it a bit.

Any comments, please?

I prefer the color version. The second monochrome works, too, but not as well, although it does have its own charm but the first monochrome really adds age. I did not like it.

It looks better sharp. Maybe you'd rather not see his wrinkles but that's what he looks like and IMO it's the best image (i.e. the colour one).

Click4hope wrote:

Take this with a pinch of salt as it is only the way I see it, i.e. just an opinion.

I think you have caught the expression well and assume this conveys something of what you know of his character and personality.

I think the main issue to address would be that of distractions. You have mentioned the TV screen, which is one. It looks like a sporting event and started me wondering whether it was the champions league final, the FA cup final, cricket, maybe the american form of rounders or what... which distracts from the face. However you are aware of that and it maybe suggests something of a surrounding he enjoys which adds to the information we learn about him.

The other thing that my eye is drawn to is the triangle formed by a bit of his hand at the bottom. After faces we are drawn to hands and triangles also catch our attention. And then you notice the pen which has you wondering if it is a cheap ballpoint or some unfamiliar brand.

As these are all at the edge of the frame they tend to hold our attention longer. This is probably not where you want us to be concentrating. So in most cases, unless they clearly contribute something to the message you want to convey it's probably best to see if you can avoid triangles at the edge of the frame. That's difficult, I know from my own experience as I still struggle to put it into practice in the heat of the moment. In this case a simple crop above the pen would help concentrate our attention on the face more, probably without losing the overall sense of his pose. That doesn't always work but probably would here.

Anyway just my thoughts as I say.

Yes, I was thinking as well that I should have cropped it above the pen. As for taking the shot, I had no time to think, I just turned to him, saw his expression, and clicked. Actually, it's funny that he's not a sports fan at all, and in fact was upset that we had to sit near the large TV monitor which was distracting to him and he felt was distracting some of us who were facing the screen, as he was trying to have a conversation with his mates whom he hadn't seen in a while. So he does have a slightly annoyed expression, which does indeed show something of his character that I was trying to capture. He tends to like to control the situations that he is in, and dislikes distractions, such as TVs and people pointing cameras in his face.

Thanks for your comments, and now that I look again, I also think that the colour photo is the best, because the slightly harsh contrasty crispness fits with his character. Tho I also like the 3rd photo as well, as I did want to soften the image somewhat because his personality also has a soft nature to it.

It is interesting to read other's comments and makes one reflect about the images one has tried to capture. All part of the photographic experience which is so important, and we sometimes tend to forget in this age of digital snap, snap, snap. Thanks again.

Definitely prefer the colour version. I find myself looking at his left ear; cropping can help that. In the 2nd crop below, I don't even see the TV screen as a distraction but as a balance to the shape of the seat back bottom right.

johnbandry wrote:

Definitely prefer the colour version. I find myself looking at his left ear; cropping can help that. In the 2nd crop below, I don't even see the TV screen as a distraction but as a balance to the shape of the seat back bottom right.

The second crop works. Clone the light on the left (easily done).

Well, you did ask for critique...

I'd stick with color on this one. A portrait crop on just the face would focus the attention on the classic head pose. The eyes are very dark, they should be dodged some to brighten them. It will make a big difference. I'd also dodge the edges of the hair. It needs a bit of visual separation from the dark background. Portraits like this don't usually stand up to softening of the wrinkles unless you do it very carefully.

Those are some quick things that can make a difference on this picture.

I like the color and the sepia versions. I'm not sure what toning is on the middle one but it looks weird on my monitor.

If you have Photoshop, PS Elements, or OnOne, you could quickly remove the TV, the yellow light on the left or, for that matter, turn everything except your subject to black. Also the eraser tool would make quick work of the ball point pen in his shirt pocket if you wanted to.

The second image is really pretty bad, not just the greenish tinge, but also the contrast.

The third image is much better in some ways (too warm for my taste) but the softening of the image has too much of a processed feel, one that is antithetical to wrinkles.

The key is not to be too heavy handed in your post-processing. I think it’s possible that the excessive warmth also draws even more attention to the softening, making it harder to get away with.

Thanks again for all your comments. A good learning experience. Unfortunately I don't have very sophisticated editing tools, or at least any that I am comfortable with, other than Picasa. I have Lightroom 4 for my B&W conversions and GIMP when I want to emulate PS. I used to use PS but now can't really afford it, so have had to make do with GIMP, which I find rather difficult to use. Anyway, here are the results of  my clumsy attempts at editing the portrait, both in colour and B&W.

Lisetta wrote:

An excellent portrait, both expression and technicals. I agree with those who preferred the color one. However, if your friend never had to see it, I'd also try real BW (not like the second one) and not softened like the third. In black and white, as a character study by a photographer rather than a picture of a friend. I think it would work in B/W, although probably color is still the best.

I don't like any of the crops. The original framing, imo, is far better, even with only part of the hand showing. I don't think it's a problem. I -do- agree that the TV's a distraction. Why not just take it out? The background is black and has no detail so it would be quick and easy to do. I think that would be the biggest improvement.

You said you just snapped this. The room looks dark but your subject is well lit. Did you do anything for the light? Great to see the XA1 acquit itself so well with someone who knows what he's doing.

Thanks for your kind words. I posted above some edited versions, both colour and B&W, tho a bit rough and ready. I really didn't think about the lighting. It was just ambient light, typical overhead spotlit restaurant lighting and was fortunate to be shining on the subject when I took the photo. But I find the 35/1.4 picks up the light amazingly well in very dim circumstances. And happy with how my cheap little XA1 performed.

I'm looking forward to picking up an X70 this summer and giving it a good test. Hope it performs like my XA1 and 35/1.4.

Either color or a straight up black and white would work with black and white disguising the color screen.