My first post be gentle

[Anima Templi]

Inspired by you all and sick of the rain:


http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/Julian_Gough_Low_Res.jpg

A personal shot taken whilst doing shots for the local rag.

[Jonnyreb]

Interesting shot - nice lighting and the crop really works. All in all, pretty well executed.

I think there is room for improvement on the DOF - sharper eye focus mainly. I'd have preferred the glasses lens to be held closer to the camera - for two reasons. Firstly, the frames have created a couple of shadows that are a little unsightly; secondly you've flattened the shot and holding away from the face would add a nice depth.

:thumbs:

[krazy_horse]

Is it Harry Potter?

Wingardium Leviosa

[brianfarrell]

It's well conceived and has good light and framing. :thumbs:

The focus needs to be on the iris of your eye. It's tricky to do this in a self portrait using autofocus... but that critical focus is needed to make this shot and that's what you have to work on...

I think it would also benefit from a contrast boost and finally, I'd clone out that white area at bottom right...

hth

[f.box]

is it a self portrait? i agree with what the others have said, but i think its nearly there.:)

[Anima Templi]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm unused to comment and really appreciate all the input. It's not a self portrait (I'm older and uglier) and the focus (lack of?) is down to my technique more than anything else.
I like to set the camera on a tripod, pre focus and then sit back and chat to my subject and when I see a pose I like ask the subject to hold it and take the shot. I normally sit or stand to the side with a cable release to fire the shutter. A technique born out of large format but still effective with any format. Unfortunately if the subject moves forward or back so does the point of focus. Now I have got into digital these technique should work better with auto focus.
lighting was provided by one metz 45 held high to the right with extension cable.
the dinosaur broach was a concern and I'm still undecided if it helps, which probably means it doesn't.
The subject (not Harry Potter) is a co presenter of an arts programme on tv and therefore allowed himself to a bit of creativity, in fact demanded it. I will try and post a few more portraits next week and would love all opinion good or bad.
I wish i had found you all years ago

[oldgit]

shame the glasses arnt as sharp as the hand, otherwise good shot

[Wile E. coyote]

shame the glasses arnt as sharp as the hand, otherwise good shot

:agree: everything works, just the focus isn't quite where it should be.