Is this a good shot or a bad shot?

[Golem]

I am not a portrait photographer, but I would have moved the washing basket and what looks like some sort of frame behind the subject's head. But at the end of the day if it pleases you it's a good shot....

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You critique it in "portrait" terms. But the OP did not ask about portraiture. For a photo portrait your comments strike me as valid, or normal.

OTOH, I dont view it that way. The "distractions" are beneficial to this shot as they place the subject in a slightly disorderly world, which is more realistic than a cleaned up "normal" portrait.

Full disclosure:
Photographically, IMNSHO, "normal" tags an image as "not worth making" on the principle that "ben dare don datt" never needs to be re-done over and over and over ad nauseum.
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Below has always been one of my personal faves. The fisheye view ropes in plenty of clutter.

 

[21limited]

It caught my eye immediately…. as a photgrpahy teacher, I’ve grade over 1000 photogprahs. It’s a triumph of “the organization of disoranization.” Even the portait no no of having a spoon in her mouth stands out and cathes the eye.

I used to promote Popluar Photography’s 98 article on the “rules” of composition. They reproduced an article that was a brief description of every rule of composition, and then an award winning photo that broke that rule. Beleiving there are hard and fast rules that can’t be broken is a mistake.

When I see a new image, what I do is look and try and notice my reaction to it. Then I find the words to express my reaction. My reaction to this one was “very cool, very effective, outside the box thinking.” In my class you get an A.

 

[Tartness9094]

I totally agree that it's a great photo apart from the washing baskets. It's very easy to get distracted by your main subject and not pay attention to the background but you will learn from this, so all is good

 

[greybeard]

I like the face and how it is lighted. The clothes basket and frame behind his head is distracting and could be cleaned up with editing.

 

[21limited]

What is with you guys and washing baskets? What washing baskets?

 

[DanOstergren]

There are certainly some good things worth pointing out in this photo. I'll avoid pointing out the flaws, as others have done so and there's no reason for me to pile on.

I like the lighting and the moody atmosphere. as well as your expression. I think you did well to get some nice reflections in your eyes (called catch-lights in portrait photography), and your black and white conversion lends nicely to the moodiness of the lighting and expression. You're on the right track, just apply the critique you've been given while also holding onto the things you did that make good elements to this shot.

 

[Golem]

It caught my eye immediately…. as a photgrpahy teacher, I’ve grade over 1000 photogprahs. It’s a triumph of “the organization of disoranization.” Even the portait no no of having a spoon in her mouth stands out and cathes the eye.

I used to promote Popluar Photography’s 98 article on the “rules” of composition. They reproduced an article that was a brief description of every rule of composition, and then an award winning photo that broke that rule. Beleiving there are hard and fast rules that can’t be broken is a mistake.

When I see a new image, what I do is look and try and notice my reaction to it. Then I find the words to express my reaction. My reaction to this one was “very cool, very effective, outside the box thinking.” In my class you get an A.

No one ever told me that spoons are a "portrait no no". But then I always skirted portrait duty when possible ... obviously not always possible when its part of the job :-(

Whenever its MY call, I prefer to 86 the "portrait" idea and go for a "portrayal" ... simply meaning to "portray" the subject. And if that means laundry baskets in the frame then so be it. My take on the OPs photo is that it only needs some routine tonal adjustments for sake of clarity. I have nearly zero complaint about content. Its not "A Portrait" altho some online "advisors" will kneejerk critique it as such, simply cuz a face dominates the content.

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Below is a true portrayal, a collaboration between the subject and myself. I needed a subject for the odd colored lighting and my friend just happened along all decked out in whites, and coincidentally fortuitously in need of some new promo pix. The planets obviously had aligned just for this !

I will guess that using a window full of illuminated multicolor beer advert signs for lighting is another "portrait no no", plus sodium vapor back lighting for extra demerits. So, like, gag me with a spoon.

 

[Golem]

Others liked it but also gave me advice which was cool.

Heres a version that tries to answer some of the comments while (I believe) keeping true to the essence of how you caught the scene, trying to remain loyal to your original (laundry included !)

I think (hope) that it actually makes good use of those two items the "critics" complain about.

 

[petrochemist]

Neither.
The subject is well lit so not a bad shot, but the background distractions prevent it from being a good shot.
I freely admit it's better than my portraits!

 

[AlanKlein]

Get rid of your name and date. Not necessary and certainly doesn't help the photo.

 

[AlanKlein]

The baskets and the picture frame behind his head distract from the subject. Nice shot.

 

[21limited]

I’d post similar images showing that similar images are quite highly regarded, but, not allowed here so, y’all lose.

 

[Don Fischer]

Agree with the suggestion above about the distracting laundry basket and the subject needs to be more to the center. What caught my eye first was the laundry basket and second the shirt. The shirt is brighter than the face. You have your forum settings set "not ok to edit". If you changed that to Ok to edit it maybe helpful for you.

I seldom do people, I do old houses and barns, wild animals and mostly bird dog working. Something I noticed in photo's is I don't always put a head in the center of the frame. In the photo here I think the head is about right. Notice the eyes are looking to the left of the frame, what's he looking at? I like that, more natural. Well it is to me anyway. With old house's and barns I'll walk around till something move's me. I also walk around my dogs keeping in mind where their head is pointed. But then I don't do this for a living either!

 

[terri]

Get rid of your name and date. Not necessary and certainly doesn't help the photo.

My only comment here is to note the date on the photo - which matches the date this thread started - in November 2023.

The OP hasn't logged in for over a year and may not ever know this thread was resurrected. While it's fine that the technical aspects of this image are still provoking comments, the OP isn't likely to benefit from them.

This software does post an alert to members when they are preparing to reply to dormant threads.

Just an FYI to please pay attention to the alerts, dates, and current status of the OP before replying to threads like this.

 

[terri]

I’d post similar images showing that similar images are quite highly regarded, but, not allowed here so, y’all lose.

If by "here," you mean in this particular thread, you'd be correct.

Considering that this is a resurrected zombie thread, I encourage you to start a new one, with your own images that you mentioned, and feel free to keep the discussion of background clutter and lighting going.