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[kundalini]

Thanks for looking. Comments welcomed. Critique appreciated.​

 

[burnws6]

Too much negative space for me. It would make for a great promo poster or something if it had text. Reminds me of Sons of Anarchy for some reason.

 

[Moe]

I like it. Add the right text and it's bad ass. Did you darken the glasses in post? What was the lighting setup?

 

[kundalini]

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I wanted a half mask and negative space. This is Phase 1 and a setup shot for a particular image I have in mind that was inspired by another photograph. I also wanted to find out if the glasses worked. I'm more inclined to think not and need to find round frames a.k.a. John Lennon style.

After many tries to avoid softbox reflections on the lens, there was only a small reflection that I swiped out with content aware, a few areas on the skin. I used a 24x24" softbox on lens axis ~8' A.F.F. feathered, a 15x15" softbox directly above me ~8' A.F.F. and a 8" snooted hair light ~135° and ~6' A.F.F., plus a silver reflector under the chin. I think I need to adjust the reflector a bit more to remove the shadow under the glasses.

I did try a square crop which reduces the negative space and also gives more vertical height. Thoughts on the crop?

Cheers.....​

 

[Studio7Four]

I like this. I agree that the first crop would be great for placing text in the negative space, but as a standalone image the square crop works better for me. In general I like images which push the conventional limits of negative space as in your first crop, but with such a tight zoom on the face the extra negative space seems incongruous to me.

You've clearly put a lot of though into the lighting so I'm guessing this is the effect you were going for. Just my personal preference, but with this subject and the black background I would like to see this with more shadowy, moody lighting.

You said this is a setup shot for something you're trying to recreate - is this the final subject? I only ask because the blue earring bugs me a bit. I like the little bit of color in the image, it's just that because it catches the light a bit it draws my eye there, to an area which is out of focus. You might want to consider either a less catchy earring (for instance a matte colored stud) or a different depth of focus to bring that area more into focus. I wouldn't necessarily change it (I like the degree by which the hair behind the ear is out of focus), just something to think about.

Lastly, his forehead is just a bit shiny from natural oils. Since guys aren't as likely to submit to makeup to dull that shine I keep paper towels handy so he can give a quick wipe of the T-zone. It's not too shiny here, just something else to keep in mind.

 

[bhee321]

i think the square crop would look awesome in B&W.

 

[jefface66227]

1st crop to me is the best, I love the over all concept for sure.

 

[LokiZ]

This may date me, but when I saw the first version I thought "that needs to be a square crop... would make a killer record album cover!" I know CDs have square crops to, but you really have got to love the old record albums that were so large in comparison. No squinting to see the details on the old album art.

Nice work Kundalini! The lighting is great in my opinion.

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

I don't think you need all that dead stuff on the right at all.

Portrait crop. Not square.

Otherwise, It looks great!

 

[Corvphotography]

Too much negative space for me. It would make for a great promo poster or something if it had text. Reminds me of Sons of Anarchy for some reason.

I couldnt agree more.

 

[kundalini]

Thanks folks for your comments. They will be taken under advisement.

Like I mentioned earlier, this was a setup shot that I kinda liked. When the actual shoot happens I'll take a shower and wash my hair.

The negative space is intentional. I tried a portrait crop and it didn't work for me. I tried B&W and it didn't give me the punch I wanted, although it wasn't too bad. You can see the full face B&W in the Post a Picture of Yourself thread. I'm not sold on the square crop either.

Thanks again.