[Rufus]

Please SAVAGE these two pics.
Point out ALL and ANY faults.
ATTACK!!

[XeoX]

I'm not good at portrait shots, but I think in the first case, the man's left hand (our right) should be entirely on the photo. It's kind a cut off now. The lightning seems to be natural and fine.

On the second shot, I think he's too serious. It reminds me of when I was young and had to visit the photographer and I didn't want to go there at all, because he had this serious and cruel look in his eyes. I think he could have at least smiling mouth to say:"I'm a friendly photographer, come and I'll take pictures of you." or something like this. Yeah, it's basically the impression, what disturbes me the most in the second case.

But I like the red and black background. Red and black make up a good symbiosis and it works with me. And I'm fond of studio shots too, although I don't have the oportunity to do them myself.

Anyway, keep up the good work.

[Toad]

I like the expression and pose in #1. I think that I would work a bit with the skin tones - seem a bit yellow on my monitor - at least compared to #2. There is also a red patch right at the V of his shirt that I think I would retouch slightly. Normally I like the eyes to be focused on the photographer in a portrait, but I think because he has a camera in his hand that is not so important here as the implication is that he is sizing up his next shot.

#2 has a very dramatic lighting ratio which works very well here - particularly in the context of the model being a photographer. I like the facial expression. His right wrist/hand ( arm leaning on the tripod) seem a little slack for a portrait, and I would like to see more strength in that hand. I am a big believer in having stretched musculature in portraits, and it is more flattering in a photo of a man to show strength through subtle touches like straight or tensed wrists - even a bit of a fist works sometimes. See how much more active and masculine his left hand looks in #2 - or how good both hands look in #1.

A small thing - his trousers are a bit wrinkled for a formal portrait. Alweays try to do the standing shots first before sitting and if this is a formal portrait shoot - have the model bring his costumes with him on hangers rather than wearing them in the car etc. But then wrinkle removal like this is certainly within the bounds of PhotoShop, right?

Nice work!!. BTW: is this a close family member?

[Rufus]

Guys! Many thanks!!!
Your comments are taken onboard, appreciated, and will be acted upon!

Let me tell you the story of the non shoot........................

Foolishly, as Terriers do, I went and booked studio time BEFORE arranging a model.
BIG MISTAKE. "My" model "Stacey" couldnt make it, and TWO others agreed and cancelled in 24 hours. Bummer. :x
So, I decided "what the 'ell", and went to the studio with a friend called "Filibuster" who lives not 10 miles away. We went to photograph my Tobias 5 string bass, and play "lighting a studio" games.
When the studio time was coming to an end, I said, "Oy, Mr Buster! Get over there, an' lean on that tripod!"
He did. This is him.
No post processing, all shot in JPG. What you see is what I took.
In light of this new information....... ATTACK!!!!! PLEASE continue the harshest possible critique!

Thank you!!!!!!

[Rufus]

Ps

Mr Buster is nearly 15 years older than me!

[guerito]

I agree with all that has been said already. Also, I think in the first picture there is a wee bit too much light in the man's face, it seems overexposed or washed out. Personally I think the lighting in #2 suits the face better.

You're getting quite professional with your portraits, me thinks.

[shuttertalk]

Point out any faults.... he's holding a Pentax camera!!

Just kidding - I'm very impressed with the portraits - he seems very relaxed, lighting is even and nicely done, and the backdrop is superb.

[matthew]

#2 seems much more natural, and I like the way the tripod's legs are cropped.

... but iron those pants.

[Petographer]

My first thoughts were that the hot spot on the backdrop is not centered to the subject. In the first image, lose the tri-pod. Other than that image one is splendid. You would never hear me say the word splendid ever but it does describe how i feel about the first image.

Number 2, same issue with the back-drop. As said, his pants are in need of ironing. The right side is lacking light but if the hotspot had of been centered would have helped define that side of the subject more.

Aside from those points the images are great. Well focused and crisp.

[Rufus]

Thank you all!

These comments and observations are invaluable and will help me in my quest.
What quest? Aha! Glad you asked...... My quest is for a series of unrelated portraits, shot on different days with no post processing and no use of raw. Why? Dunno, just one of those things a dog does............
Incidentally folks, it's 04:05 here in the UK, and I'm typing away on NN's new laptop. I'm not sleeping because I did my back in at the studio!! :o I've been in agony now for 16 hours. I can barely walk. I'm not kidding you!

[Petographer]

Thank you all!

These comments and observations are invaluable and will help me in my quest.
What quest? Aha! Glad you asked...... My quest is for a series of unrelated portraits, shot on different days with no post processing and no use of raw. Why? Dunno, just one of those things a dog does............
Incidentally folks, it's 04:05 here in the UK, and I'm typing away on NN's new laptop. I'm not sleeping because I did my back in at the studio!! :o I've been in agony now for 16 hours. I can barely walk. I'm not kidding you!

Thats sucks Ruf. Hope the back is feeling better soon. Sore backs can really bring a person down in spirits. Keep yer chin up.

[shuttertalk]

Get better soon, Rufus!