I think it's a damn strong portrait
I also think Karen's overcooked it (I know you like to do that to make a point Aunti! )
Somewhere halfway between would be perfect and a little more selectivity with the sharpening could prevent the skin pores on the right cheek becoming a dominating feature.
It's also strong enough to do away with the crutch of the gimmick frame!
There's a tendency for some folks to prefer rather high contrast B & W. Others mock the preference by referring to the style as "soot and chalk". To my eyes, it depends upon the image. Sometimes soot and chalk is a valid artistic choice. Some seem to always hate it, the same way some folks hate all HDR or any other particular effect. Some folks think it over-cooked. I was illustrating the soot and chalk school of thought to show the drama of higher contrast. Depends upon taste. Personally I'd drop it back a notch. but you might still find the contrast a bit too extreme. Back in the day I had selected images I quite liked printed on Agfa Brovira number 6, but it was only right for a few images.
AuntiPode wrote:
There's a tendency for some folks to prefer rather high contrast B & W. Others mock the preference by referring to the style as "soot and chalk". To my eyes, it depends upon the image. Sometimes soot and chalk is a valid artistic choice. Some seem to always hate it, the same way some folks hate all HDR or any other particular effect. Some folks think it over-cooked. I was illustrating the soot and chalk school of thought to show the drama of higher contrast. Depends upon taste. Personally I'd drop it back a notch. but you might still find the contrast a bit too extreme. Back in the day I had selected images I quite liked printed on Agfa Brovira number 6, but it was only right for a few images....Show more →
Thanks all, and welcome back Paul!
I appreciate the comments and re-work. This will be an exercise in trying to replicate settings and processing similar to first image - seems like the only way I can learn and retain things is the hard way
Personally, I'd like more of a softer look but we shall see where the road leads.
I'm travelling at the moment and will try to get back to this next week,
