not quite right

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I like, but feel it needs 'something'
but what?

this gentleman was the records keeper for the Salvation Army in Canada. We met at a men's retreat on Lake Simcoe this last autumn. He is a fellow photog and shoots a Canon DSLR

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Well... there's much to commend the shot from the resolution to the beautiful white and black treatment. In terms of the pose, I love the wistful look and the positioning of the hands. I don't care for the ear being cut off but of more concern is the left lens blocking the left eye. On the whole the portrait is a very good one. For me, I'd back up a bit in order to get a bit more of the subject's head.

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Dec 2, 2013 0:02:02 GMT @jamesd said:

Well... there's much to commend the shot from the resolution to the beautiful white and black treatment. In terms of the pose, I love the wistful look and the positioning of the hands. I don't care for the ear being cut off but of more concern is the left lens blocking the left eye. On the whole the portrait is a very good one. For me, I'd back up a bit in order to get a bit more of the subject's head.

James you are right! It's the ear or lack there of that's on of the things that's putting me off on this portrait. And that missing ear is pretty much unfixable in post. Maybe that was why (unconciously) I cropped it to tighten in on the face...in an attempt to move past the Van Gogh ear.

Our Peter Hurley friend chops the top off most of his head shots but that seems to direct our attention all the more to the face. so it's interesting for me to note that an ear can be a feature that should be kept where as the hair on the top of someone's head is pretty much taken for granted and doesn't have to be in the photo.

Here's the original uncropped version... it's been some months since I messed with this photo not sure now what my thinking back then was on it. (I'm sure you can you relate?)

[skutterbug]

Ii like the shot very much Charlie...the ear being cut off doesn't bother me at all...the photo brings me right to where I need to look..his eyes and hands...Nicely done.

[latti]

Did some quick editing. Maybe too dark?

[latti]

Another try.  I think those who can work in layers can get a good effect.

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Dec 2, 2013 18:32:18 GMT latti said:

Did some quick editing. Maybe too dark?

too dark?

yes and no

you've done some nice b&W people pics... I remember the lady in the street shot (very nice)