Steve needed some shots for his website and business cards... here is one I just finished working on. We shot him on a few backgrounds...but I think the white bg looks the best so far. Just finished the shoot... more images on the way.
Thanks for looking.
Hatch
(let me know if you think the skin is to smooth...I really tried to keep the texture while cleaning up the skin)
I caught #2 in the final print and removed it.... #4... I can't tell.. .and I can't remember if this is a natural mole... so... I have to contact him to find out... I would like to remove it as well....but... didn't want to go over the top... he could be attached to it?
#1 and #3 can do and thanks for the pointers. I will shoot for the A+
That shadow and skin fold on his neck bothers me WAY more than anything Titan noted. Not sure why, but the nature of that shadow makes it look INCHES deep to me, along with that fold. Just my take...
pixelwarp wrote:
That shadow and skin fold on his neck bothers me WAY more than anything Titan noted. Not sure why, but the nature of that shadow makes it look INCHES deep to me, along with that fold. Just my take...
I can lighten the shadow under the chin some. Thanks for the comments.
Hatch
Tom K. wrote:
I am a big admirer of your work Hatch. These are wonderful.
Very kind of you to say Tom. I still have a ton of work to do.
Just spent some time on your blog. GREAT work! Shutterbug magazine is calling for Leading Lines: Into Infinity submissions (March isue) and I think you have a number of shots that would do well and should be printed. Just passing the info on. Keep up the great wrok.
I am also a big fan of your work Hatch. I tend to like a strong base on arms folded shots so I usually crop so the folded arms forms the bottom of a classic triangle and place that solid base at the very bottom of the frame. Crops slightly through the ams on the bottom. I think when thats not done it looks to top heavy. Great job as usually.
I really love those portraits of the soldiers also.
I like those last two shots better than the first. On the crossed arms shot, I'd try to use a more "confident" looking hand position. Arms crossed that low on the torso with the hands tucked is classic body language for someone who is intimidated, or lacking self confidence.
I've mentioned this before in critiques posted here... but as I said then, being in law enforcement and studying body language in the interest of interview and interrogation skills, and survival on the streets maybe I notice that kind of thing when others may not consciously read it on a photograph.
Either way, I see him as lacking self confidence or as being nervous and "guarded" with the arm/hand position used here. I think having the arms crossed higher up on the torso with the hands wrapped around the backs of the elbows with the hands and fingers visible displays much more confidence in a man.
I also agree on a higher crop on the crossed arms shot... and on the black on black shot since the bottom blocks up and loses detail.
You're right but it can also, with the right facial expression, mean just the opposite and show strength and a confidence and can be give a more relaxed less formal feel.
airfrogusmc wrote:
You're right but it can also, with the right facial expression, mean just the opposite and show strength and a confidence and can be give a more relaxed less formal feel.
Absolutely, and if the arm posing in that shot were to be combined with the facial expression in the original shot posted in this thread, I can see getting that "feel" from it. With the expression in the photo with the crossed arms though, I'm getting a nervous or lack of confidence vibe.
WOW! Great feedback everyone So, hand position (something I stuggle with..
and a million other things) With his hand being displayed would the image be more forceful/confident? Or, would the back of the hand/s draw unwanted attention? Steve is a realtor... not sure if this helps with the posing... I think (could be wrong) you would want a less agressive look to the shots?
I always have the subject do what comfortable for them and how they do it naturally and there are a lot of subjects that pose won't work with. I will usually watch a person natural body language and get ideas from that and try and put them in poses they would fall into naturally. If they tuck in the hand so be it but I think the expression on the face is what sets the tone for the pose. I think the smile looks a bit forced on that image to me anyway. Just a more relaxed overall expression would make all the difference and a stronger base on the bottom of the frame.
I like the lighting and good job. Again I am a big fan of you portraits hatch.
airfrogusmc wrote:
I always have the subject do what comfortable for them and how they do it naturally and there are a lot of subjects that pose won't work with. I will usually watch a person natural body language and get ideas from that and try and put them in poses they would fall into naturally. If they tuck in the hand so be it but I think the expression on the face is what sets the tone for the pose. I think the smile looks a bit forced on that image to me anyway. Just a more relaxed overall expression would make all the difference and a stronger base on the bottom of the frame.
I like the lighting and good job. Again I am a big fan of you portraits hatch.
Many thanks for the kind words. I sitll have much to work on! What gets me... is I just read a book that had a nice section about hand positions... and I didn't apply any of it. My thoughts were ...when he crossed his hands.. the back of the hands would be distracting. Must read the chapter a few more times to get it to stick! I also need to slow down and study the person as you mentioned... the see what shot I am trying to build and how they fall in to natural positions. Always learning! I appreciate your comments/tips.
I would like to remove it as well....but... didn't want to go over the top... he could be attached to it? 
I will shoot for the A+
