You want some?

[urbanx]

This is the first pic I’ve posted on here so honest - but not brutal - C&C welcome!

My mates are always accusing me of being a tad on the soft, feminine side :

So I thought I’d challenge myself and have a go at a ‘hard man’ self portrait just to see how different I could look:

Spotlight straight into face, camera at arms length, black cloth behind, simples.

 

[TinaC]

what our friends do to us! You have certainly got a harder image...snotty nose not necessar overkill.

I think the more gritty image coulld have suffered a little more light without losing effect, but that is only my opinion.

 

[urbanx]

Cheers Tina!

 

[GrittyShaker]

I think it would benefit from a more gritty effect in PP, to bring out more contrast, and make you look a bit more rugged. I've been messing around with a similar sort of thing recently.

I don't know what editing software you use (if any), but if you duplicate the layer and use a high pass filter on the new layer, then change the blending mode to "Hard Light", that seems to make you look 'arder.

I've done a quick edit, which I can post if you like.

 

[urbanx]

Ooh please do!
I use CS4 but have never found that adjustment before!

 

[GrittyShaker]

I usually use Nik Silver Efex for a slightly quicker way of achieving a similar thing, but this works just as good I think. Just IMO, of course.

 

[urbanx]

WOW!!! That's amazing! Thanks for that, I get so worried about overcooking contrast, but that's spot on!

 

[GrittyShaker]

No probs. I think the high structure look really suits B&W portraits of blokes.

 

[cdmania]

I like the edited version not so girly now lol