Playin with self portraits

[Pallycow]

Playing with self portraits tonight, wanted to see if I could go soft light, harsh shadows on a black and white and see how it worked out.

Thoughts?

 

[jowensphoto]

Nice Rembrandt lighting!

 

[Pallycow]

Thanks. Kinda like this one...actually nailed focus on my right eye...which is kinda hard having to move around back n forth, lol. Not b&w, but fits the self port theme. Wish I woulda fixed my crazy eyebrows though...lolol.

 

[Bend The Light]

You mention focus, and in the first the focus is on the stubble rather than eyes. Processing/light is nice, though.

In the second, you nailed it!

And don't talk to me about eyebrows! You should see mine - like a pair of hairy caterpillars mating on my forehead!


one light, honeycomb, above camera close by http://bendthelight.me.uk, on Flickr

 

[Buckster]

Playing with self portraits tonight, wanted to see if I could go soft light, harsh shadows on a black and white and see how it worked out.

Thoughts?

Seems rather muddy to me, without true blacks, whites, and mostly just the mid-tones present. Focus is suffering more than necessary because of it, I think.

Here's a little variation on it:

I reset the black and white points, saved it out as a layer, then opened up the mids for the eyes, saved that as another layer, then used a mask to bring them together, and sharpened a little.

 

[Pallycow]

buckster, it was supposed to have that muddy washed out look...aging it a bit. I like your edit as well...I did 4 or 5 of them in b&w...all a bit different.

bend the light, yeah, I was talking about the second photo.....missed on the first, obviously...lol. dude...you know you can trim eyebrows right? lol

 

[Buckster]

buckster, it was supposed to have that muddy washed out look...aging it a bit.

Ahhh..., okay. In that case, my thoughts are that I don't think it really works well - at least, not for me, personally. No offence, just not my cup of tea, I suppose, though others may find it quite pleasing. The main thing is that you've achieved your vision and like it. :thumbup:

I like your edit as well...

Thanks.

I did 4 or 5 of them in b&w...all a bit different.

Nice. It'd be interesting to see them and read your thoughts on how this one won out as the one to go with.

 

[Pallycow]

it wasn't so much as "the one to go with" I don't just post my "winners" on here...kinda post random and different to see if there is anything to them.