The Man on The Moon

kathyt · Oct 29, 2013

I like this shot, and the lighting. I also like the matte finish of the b/w processing. The only thing that is bothering me is the leaf right above his neck. My eye seems to be drawn toward it.

DanOstergren · Oct 30, 2013

Thanks for all the feedback and comments.

As far as the lunatic thing goes, it just does not rub me the right way at all.

EAMArt · Oct 30, 2013

kathythorson said:
I like this shot, and the lighting. I also like the matte finish of the b/w processing. The only thing that is bothering me is the leaf right above his neck. My eye seems to be drawn toward it.

I KNOW RIGHT!!!!! I feel like that leaf is photobombing that picture! I just want to pluck it and show it a peace of my mind!! I guess it a bit too much like the skin color (or lack there of) and makes the neck look out of proportion.
Other than that, I love the grayness of it and the style. Good job!

EAMArt · Oct 30, 2013

Oh! and welcome to NY(?) How long have you been here?

kundalini · Oct 30, 2013

Your posture makes your shoulders look weak. Placing your left hand on your hip (or there abouts) and putting your weight on your rearward positioned left heel would have help that IMO. Those simple adjustments would also have shifted the left shoulder away from the camera and more into the shadow. A bit more mystique? Possibly.

DanOstergren · Oct 30, 2013

EAMArt said:
kathythorson said:

I like this shot, and the lighting. I also like the matte finish of the b/w processing. The only thing that is bothering me is the leaf right above his neck. My eye seems to be drawn toward it.

Click to expand...

I KNOW RIGHT!!!!! I feel like that leaf is photobombing that picture! I just want to pluck it and show it a peace of my mind!! I guess it a bit too much like the skin color (or lack there of) and makes the neck look out of proportion.
Other than that, I love the grayness of it and the style. Good job!

I considered removing that leaf, and I think I will before sending it in to the magazine. You're both right about it. It warps the shape of shoulder/neck to me.

Also, thank you for the welcome! I've been in NYC for 13 days now, and it has completely opened itself up to me. All sorts of amazing opportunities and experiences are unfolding in front of me every day, it's incredible. My mentor says he's never seen this city open itself up to someone so quickly.

DanOstergren · Oct 30, 2013

kundalini said:
Your posture makes your shoulders look weak. Placing your left hand on your hip (or there abouts) and putting your weight on your rearward positioned left heel would have help that IMO. Those simple adjustments would also have shifted the left shoulder away from the camera and more into the shadow. A bit more mystique? Possibly.

Thanks for the advice, I'll make a point to remember that when I do shots like this. By weak though, what are you saying? I always love to photograph men to make them look soft, innocent and vulnerable, so if it's a matter of the posture not making him look masculine enough then I would prefer to keep the weaker positioning.

DanOstergren · Oct 30, 2013

One more from the "Man on The Moon" set.

EAMArt · Oct 30, 2013

DanOstergren said:
EAMArt said:

kathythorson said:

I like this shot, and the lighting. I also like the matte finish of the b/w processing. The only thing that is bothering me is the leaf right above his neck. My eye seems to be drawn toward it.

Click to expand...

I KNOW RIGHT!!!!! I feel like that leaf is photobombing that picture! I just want to pluck it and show it a peace of my mind!! I guess it a bit too much like the skin color (or lack there of) and makes the neck look out of proportion.
Other than that, I love the grayness of it and the style. Good job!

Click to expand...

I considered removing that leaf, and I think I will before sending it in to the magazine. You're both right about it. It warps the shape of shoulder/neck to me.

Also, thank you for the welcome! I've been in NYC for 13 days now, and it has completely opened itself up to me. All sorts of amazing opportunities and experiences are unfolding in front of me every day, it's incredible. My mentor says he's never seen this city open itself up to someone so quickly.

WHAT!!!? This city is a *****! Unforgivable and self centered .... I put in her so much but she does not love me back!!!
I must be doing something horribly wrong; would you be my mentor?? lol

annamaria · Oct 30, 2013

I am not an expert, but I quite like it. It's different and unique.

DanOstergren · Oct 30, 2013

EAMArt said:
DanOstergren said:

EAMArt said:

I KNOW RIGHT!!!!! I feel like that leaf is photobombing that picture! I just want to pluck it and show it a peace of my mind!! I guess it a bit too much like the skin color (or lack there of) and makes the neck look out of proportion.
Other than that, I love the grayness of it and the style. Good job!

Click to expand...

I considered removing that leaf, and I think I will before sending it in to the magazine. You're both right about it. It warps the shape of shoulder/neck to me.

Also, thank you for the welcome! I've been in NYC for 13 days now, and it has completely opened itself up to me. All sorts of amazing opportunities and experiences are unfolding in front of me every day, it's incredible. My mentor says he's never seen this city open itself up to someone so quickly.

Click to expand...

WHAT!!!? This city is a *****! Unforgivable and self centered .... I put in her so much but she does not love me back!!!
I must be doing something horribly wrong; would you be my mentor?? lol

You just have to network a lot. Along with being good, it's really important to know and meet the right people. My mentor is one of the founders of a magazine called Surface. I met him in San Francisco last year and he's been guiding me and helping me along for the last year and a half; just knowing him has opened up all sorts of doors for me here. As well if it weren't for him I wouldn't even be in NYC right now. This city is full of industry professionals; you just have to get out there and meet them, and get your work seen.

Parker219 · Oct 30, 2013

The first shot seems mysterious, the second shot seems much more plain/bland of course. The first shot I like ( minus the leaf ) and the second shot makes me think..."Maybe that guy should put on a shirt".

DanOstergren · Oct 30, 2013

Parker219 said:
The first shot seems mysterious, the second shot seems much more plain/bland of course. The first shot I like ( minus the leaf ) and the second shot makes me think..."Maybe that guy should put on a shirt".

And if it were a girl would you say the same?

Parker219 · Oct 31, 2013

^ Absolutely

If you shot this for a specific purpose and were asked to create something like this, then great. However with no context and judging it just as a portrait, then, it doesn't appeal to me.

Lets see what some others say, I am only one opinion.

DanOstergren · Oct 31, 2013

Parker219 said:
^ Absolutely

If you shot this for a specific purpose and were asked to create something like this, then great. However with no context and judging it just as a portrait, then, it doesn't appeal to me.

Lets see what some others say, I am only one opinion.

I photograph men with their shirts off, just as many people photograph ladies with their shirts off. Saying "maybe that guy should put a shirt on" in the context of giving feedback really isn't very useful.