Why do you think it didn't work out?
The only incongruity for me is the contrast between the mucky plasterer and your ultra clean background. I'm guessing you tried to "dirty" up the floor, but you missed a patch behind the subject?
I think this would have worked much better a) with the existing background, but without the bucket and plastering props, or b) leaving it all in, but taking the pic in an environment more suited to your subject. It feels like it's trying to bridge two worlds and doesn't feel at home in either (to me!)
I love the lighting, composition and pose. As a formal portrait it works really well but personally I like to see expression on a subject's face. That's very much a personal thing though and I don't think it detracts from your shot at all. I also love the colours in there too. A portrait that benefits from being in colour I think.
Nice work.
Hi Ian
Thanks for your detailed reply it really does make it worthwhile uploading an image for critique.
I was thinking it had not worked out as I was going for an old sort of painterly look " not just lifted blacks" in post as seems to be what folk do. Just didnt feel the light was giving me that. I'm no expert at lighting but enjoy trying.
I left out the minor detail that it is me in the photo, yes I am a Plasterer so I guess it's a selfie, unfortunatly the messy floor was made in error, turns out it's not that easy to dash over on a 10 second timer "many times" whilst holding the hand board/hawk and try to pose.
That said it don't matter if it were me or not your points are all valid.
Am I reading point "a" as the image would have been better with me in the frame and no hint of plastering other than my workwear ?
I agree the image would look great taken in the usual enviroment I'm found working in.
I like it, but I suppose I would love to see it with a newly plastered wall as a background, a corner perhaps.
Thanks Dan.
I get ya. The corner thing would be great I would not have thought of that.
Not keen on the 'old master meets new plaster' type look. Unless producing a set of manual workers in an out of context formal portrait background as an 'art project', I think a single shot of one doesn't really work; as a single shot I'd much rather have seen that chap posed like that against a contextual background of a newly or partially plastered wall on a building site. I think Martin Parr is particularly good at contextual portraits like that, when he's not doing his more quirky stuff.
Hiya.
Thanks for your feedback. Really appreciate it.
The thing that strikes me is that he is sitting down, I bet he never sits down with the float in his hand. So either sat down with a brew or stood with the float/hawk. Overall though it is a well executed photo and a good portrait in your style.
Thanks Chris.
Your quite correct it's pretty much none stop the day is over quick. The plaster dictates brew times which often differs from the other trades.
I'm afraid it doesn't work for me as I've never seen a plasterer dressed as an outside builder. If there had been a pile of bricks and a trowel instead of the stool and float, then it would have been different. Plus that bucket would probably be upright seeing's he has plaster on the go.
Hiya.
No problem it's not working for you.
That said the clothing is standard clobber for all trades these days especially this time of year working on empty properties/ extensions etc.
There once was a time Plasterers whore whites even ties...... them days have long since gone.
Yes I agree this bucket would be the other way up, containing my troweling up water and brush if in an eviromental setting.
Thanks for your feedback it is appreciated
Gaz