This is a candid shot I took of an old guy I met up in Montana about four years ago. He spent 20 years underneath the Polar Ice Cap in a US Submarine. Anyway, I just re-worked it and it looked good in B & W so I thought to post it here.

Excellent shot Endre, the face is full of character
It was to his advantage that they had no razors on the submarine

Great character, detail, depth. Great processing. I love the use of darkness around the portrait area.
Minor nit: on my work monitor the beard appears over-sharpened.
Scott

I must echo Lazlo and Scott. This monitor is not calibrated so it does appear a bit harsh but I could also look later and have a differing opinion.

Only suggestion, and just my opinion, perhaps warm slightly via toning?

regards,

Bob

Hey Endre,

Beautiful portrait here. I always feel that the success of an effective portrait is less the technical details, but the way to capture the essence and character of a person. You succeeded very well here.

eric

well shot and processed.
regards, tom

Excellent portrait Strad as usual technically great too.

Echo the others. Maybe a bit oversharpened, but I get the feeling that's the look you were going for.
Very nice portrait.

Thanks so much to all of you!! (Please forgive the mass reply but I'm a little short on time.) I really appreciate all the kind comments on this. I thought it might be a tad over sharpened when i posted it. What happens it that I use Fred's WP Pro to to resize my photos for posting here. There are three web sharpening choices that one can make- No Sharpening, Medium Sharpening, and High Sharpening. Often I use the Medium Sharpening but with very sharp photos, the No Sharpening option is better. I had already posted the Medium Sharpening version when I thought of it and didn't feel like re-doing it last night, hoping for the best that it would pass your collective sharp eyes. Just now, i replaced it with the No Sharpening version, which I think will be much better and should fix ti problem. It is a web problem rather than something that would show up in a print.

Anyway, many thanks, again for all the kind and helpful comments.

All best wishes,

Endre

Now you're going to do with portraits the same magic you've shown us with florals?!
Sorry - I know I sound like a broken record and gushing fool, but I am, quite simply, a huge fan of everything I'm seeing from you.
I know, I'm just an amateur from Po-dunk, but a fan nevertheless!!! HAS to count for something!
-Tim

Aw, gosh, Tim you are too much! I never thought I'd have a fan club for my photography. I really am a far better violinist than I am a photographer. I truly appreciate all your kind and encouraging words.

If you haven't done so already, go visit my big photo site. There is lots to see over there. http://www.endresphotos.com

Thank you again. I am humbled by your kind praise.

All best wishes,

Endre

T-bone1 wrote:
Now you're going to do with portraits the same magic you've shown us with florals?!
Sorry - I know I sound like a broken record and gushing fool, but I am, quite simply, a huge fan of everything I'm seeing from you.
I know, I'm just an amateur from Po-dunk, but a fan nevertheless!!! HAS to count for something!
-Tim

Great portrait and well processed, cant fault this one at all !

Cheers

Martyn

A fine portrait indeed.

T

Thanks, Martyn. I'm very glad you like it!

All the best,

Endre

greswolde wrote:
Great portrait and well processed, cant fault this one at all !

Cheers

Martyn

Thank you, Terry! It started out as just a snapshot so I'm glad i was able to make it into something worthwhile.

All the best,

Endre

Terry D wrote:
A fine portrait indeed.

T

Hats off!

m

Beautiful portrait love the details and your conversion is very appealing here nice work

Ray Still

Thank you, Marcelo!

All the best,

Endre

marcelo wrote:
Hats off!

m

Thanks, Ray. I appreciate your kind comments.

All the best,

Endre Abiciriderback wrote:
Beautiful portrait love the details and your conversion is very appealing here nice work

Ray Still

This is just an outstanding photo and process. For me it's what BW is about. Thanks.

Stilson

Splendid image Endre. I find BW so much better to show character without the distracting colors our skin takes on with the passage of time.

Thank you, Stilson. I appreciate all you kind comments.

All the best,

Endre

Neige wrote:
This is just an outstanding photo and process. For me it's what BW is about. Thanks.

Stilson

Thanks, Tim. I'm glad you like it. I think you're quite right about B & W.

All the best,

Endre

Tim ONeill wrote:
Splendid image Endre. I find BW so much better to show character without the distracting colors our skin takes on with the passage of time.