Not much to say about the shot itself, it's a self-portrait.. of me holding the instrument of my passion.
Photo was taken with an external flash unit, bounced off the ceiling. Post-Processing was done mostly with Levels, with some minor dodging (for the eyes), and clone work. Also a touch of USM, and of course, cropping and re-sizing.
Also, due to KDO's untimely rant about her disqualified photo.. I'm hoping to *hell* that this shot doesn't get voted down as a subsequent victim to any backlash concerning bright, washed out backgrounds. I shot this against a sheet of white posterboard, and dodged, cloned, smudged, *nothing*.. simply changed lightness levels. I understand that this won't be known during the challenge.. but man.. if I get any comments of the like, I'm going to be a little upset.. but I'll have to live with them.
here's to hoping that it doesn't work that way though.
AFTER CHALLENGE: Update
Ok, I've had a day to get over being bitter and such, so I want to say a few words. I *am* honored to be counted among some of the top photographers on this website in this challenge. I am very proud of my entry, and it truly is the best self-portrait I've ever taken.
I want to heartily thank each and every commenter on this shot for giving me such a rush during the challenge, and for all the kind and encouraging words.
You've helped give me some enormous confidence.
This shot is a milestone in two ways.
#1. It's my highest rated shot now.
#2. It recieved the most ever comments during a challenge at 37.
I really am happy to have placed as high as I have, and while top 10 is always fun, I certainly didn't miss it by much. Tiberius, I took away a red ribbon from you in the School Days challenge.. kudos on taking 10th away from me :)
Thanks again to everyone for your support!
Statistics
Place: 11 out of 247 Avg (all users): 6.7540 Avg (commenters): 8.1667 Avg (participants): 6.4868 Avg (non-participants): 7.0062 Views since voting: 3973 Views during voting: 557 Votes: 313 Comments: 50 Favorites: 2 (view)
just read one of your critiques on a snow scene ... excellent critique .. and i've learned quite a bit from reading it, esp f-stops etc ...
i came back to your portfolio and this one caught my eye ... obviously everyone else loves this photograph and its easy to see why ... it looks like it will be a total pleasure having you in the b&w, coz not only do you appear to know wot you're doing, but you will tell it like it is (as you see it!!) and hopefully we'll all learn heaps from your comments ... :)
This is an amazing shot! (Just now viewing the past few weeks worth...) Love the feel of this photograph. The composition and focus are perfect. Absolute black and white and all the shades in between. Great job on the eyes as well. A truly beautiful photo!
I think this is a GREAT shot. I love the high key feel to it - the composition is excellent. I guess I should have picked a shot I could find some areas to improve on though, huh?!? Cuz I'm having difficulties finding them on this one. Really nice job.
I've posted a new After Challenge write up, since I've had a day to get over my disappointment of not hitting top 10 :)
Feel free to read it. As it says, thank you to everyone who commented.. there were some wonderful, encouraging comments from a huge number of really talented people that I admire and respect, and that, I think, beats a top 10 any day.. and don't worry.. you'll see me around in the future.. if another challenge comes up that kicks me in the head for an idea :)
extremely wonderful shot - i much prefer this to some of those in the top 10. wonderful high key and great sharpness and composition. tones are excellent as well - great job, artyste.
Dude... this is strong and powerfull and a top5 with a score of 10 from me. I love the light, details, choice of camera ;) and the composition. Great photo by a great photographer. Good luck!
I really like this. I'm not a huge fan of black and white -- or for highly exposed photographs, but this photograph works very well for me. You clearly have the skills to set the shot up and the looks to be in the shot...one of my highest rated ... definately deserving of a ribbon.
i don't know anything about portraiture, so i'm using your image as a guinnea pig as to what i think i would or wouldn't do in this situation, as well as what i notice and get out of your image.
what an incredibly strong image. ordinarily, i think i would complain about the lighting, but here, the contrast are perfect and the focus is so dead-on that it completely works! great pose, expression, composition--wonderfully executed. 8 from me.
I think you may have fallen between two stools here, to my mind. I love the basic idea of it, and the vast part of the execution, but the extreme high-key thing is what bothers me - most specifically on your face; the blown areas seem too arbitrary, areas with and without definition don't seem to follow any particular plan, serving to both mask and emphasise facial shape, bone structure, in different areas. Lots of good stuff otherwise though, like it.
Finally!! Someone easy enough to recognize! :-)
I love this shot (8). I like those thinking lines in your forehead, the white-clean look of the picture and the details. (You also are a very handsome guy ;-)
The black colors of the camera add the needed contrast to the soft colors of yourself.
I've said it before and I'll say it again... This is a top-notch professional looking shot. I don't think it could be done any better. Absolutely love the eyes!! Fantastic job. 10
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