I seek your opinion...

Please take a look at this, and the two others below and let me know your post-
process preference and why, and Thank You!

Posted by Michael S Cohen on Tue, 12/03/13 16:34
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Comments by Michael S Cohen on Tue, 12/03/13 16:35

Number 2...


Comments by Michael S Cohen on Tue, 12/03/13 16:35

and Number 3...


Comments by Jan Bjorklund on Tue, 12/03/13 17:05

I thought at first the opening image was my preferred one because that background is darker than the other two and I felt my eyes drawn immediately to the man as he gazes through the grilling. But then I looked more closely at the third image and saw more separation between the man and the background with the man's black t-shirt merging with the background in the first two pictures. Perhaps the toning of the man's skin has more of an unnatural feel in the last image but that separation works for me but truthfully in the end if each of these images had been presented separately they would each appeal to me for their subject matter, detailing and the look on the man's face... what is he looking at, or is he just daydreaming?


Comments by Harry Liston on Tue, 12/03/13 21:21

The expression on the man's face makes this a very powerful shot! That being said, I think the image would be even more powerful if the bottom 1/3 was cropped off. Inclusion of the tool belt is not essential and therefore weakens the composition.


Comments by Jacky on Tue, 12/03/13 23:05

Fwiw, I prefer the last one. Regardless, your photo is cool -- very evocative.


Comments by Michael S Cohen on Wed, 12/04/13 09:00

Jan, thanks. He is working on tying fishing lures and was looking down intently at them. He
looked up for a moment out through the grate and onto something on the street that caught
his attention. That's the photo you see here. The last image is with a tone mapping
treatment and I agree that the skin is a little overcooked. I am clearly struggling with make
this image as good as it can be. Harry and Jacky, thank you for weighing in. Interesting drop
idea Harry, I'll give it a look.


Comments by Michael Meek on Wed, 12/04/13 19:28

I like the separation of the last one and the skin of the first one best. I think that cylinder at the back of his head should go. Looks like an ideal photo to spend some time with! Good capture.


Comments by Paul Bracey on Thu, 12/05/13 05:31

3


Comments by Terri_KH on Thu, 12/05/13 08:04

Guess I am alone in preferring the first one. I like the darker images because my attention goes straight to the man's face. He looks intensely focused on whatever is through the gate, working away on the lures with his Che tattoo. Those few details make him very interesting to me and curious about him. After looking him over I move to looking at the background, causing the photo to hold my attention for a fairly long time. I agree with Harry's cropping suggestion.


Comments by Ruth Rittichier on Thu, 12/05/13 09:44

Overall, I am captured by this image. It is excellent in its composition, lighting and contrast. His sanpaku eyes convey a feeling of depression, and the clothing and adornments support that feeling and that of a dark underworld.
Technically, his shadow skin tones look like unsaturated gray patches instead of darker skin tones. Also, I would like to see the bright background objects subdued and the bright light at the top cropped.


Comments by Michael S Cohen on Thu, 12/05/13 10:19

Michael, Paul Terri and Ruth thank you very much for the feedback! These are very helpful. I
hope other will weigh in as well.


Comments by Maria Salvador on Thu, 12/05/13 10:52

Ruth said it all very well. The skin tones look better on the OP, but may be just a matter of monitors. If I had to choose it would be #3...