Portrait in the style of Francis Bacon

[Whoozit]

I was playing around during a concert with long exposures, to capture the movement of the performers. For me, this one came closest to the mood and style of Francis Bacon's Screaming Popes portraits which is what I had at the back of my mind. http://archaesthetic.files.wordpress...comparison.jpg

I didn't have a tripod, which somewhat dilutes the crispness of the image, but the blur could also be viewed as enhancing the pic. Comments and critique welcome!



20121202 20121202 Not So Silent Movies DSC_0104.jpg by PowderPhotography, on Flickr

[Nick_1981]

Sorry, doesn't work for me. Not sure if it was the lighting or white balance but it is very blue and just looks blurred.

[cotty332000]

Originally Posted by Nick_1981

Sorry, doesn't work for me. Not sure if it was the lighting or white balance but it is very blue and just looks blurred.

[dan_yorkshire]

Not for me either. The effect looks very accidental and certainly not at all deliberate. Shutter speed and white balance

[Wozzaaah]

Doesn't work for me either, sorry.
The blue colour cast is odd and the lack of focus on any part of it is off-putting though I know that was part of your reasoning for creating it.
If you'd got the background and peripheral objects sharp and in focus so it just highlighted the player motion it might have worked with a WB adjustment.
I'm wondering if you might have been better playing about with some different effects to put more emphasis on the creative part of it as the way it is at the moment it all just looks a bit accidental rather than intentional.

[mr bizzare]

I can see where you are coming from with the Francis Bacon look. Without a support long exposures can be tricky, I think a bit of cropping may help.
IMO you don't need to alter the white balance as once cropped the red shirt and gold instrument will make it look even more like a Bacon. I often wonder what he would have done with a digital camera and who knows he may have turned work out like this.

[viv1969]

As above. Sorry, but just not working for me.
Don't emulate...formulate. Find your own style and develop it

[mr bizzare]

Originally Posted by viv1969

As above. Sorry, but just not working for me.
Don't emulate...formulate. Find your own style and develop it

I find by trying to emulate other artists can be a useful learning tool on the way to finding your own style or indeed learning how to use a camera in the first place. have a go at capturing "Self portrait 1971" in one frame without using PP, see how many ways you can come up with and how many different camera setting/accessories you use.

[Whoozit]

Thanks, it is certainly a Marmite shot! I'm not entirely certain myself so will keep working on the technique for headshots. There are other shots with slow shutter speeds showing movement from the same concert which worked out more conventionally, eg:


20121202 20121202 Not So Silent Movies DSC_0098.jpg by PowderPhotography, on Flickr

However, looking back it would have benefited from having the camera properly locked down. Next time...

[Wozzaaah]

Again, a shot that would have worked well if the background and peripheral items were sharper.

[flyingmonkeycorp]

I think you need a tripod for this kind of shot to be honest, to get the crispness you need. I also think that the composition of both shots is a bit lacking which adds to the effect of them looking a bit unfinished.