I have to agree that the DOF here was just too short for a portrait. f/11 is usally my minimum, f/6-8 will do. Only just a bit more needed actually, just the lips sharp and let it fall off back toward the ears and neck.
I like the pose, but maybe just a bit more rotation on the shoulders so it doesn't look like you(?) are hunching over into the frame.
I like the choice of background and the eyes are nice and sharp, with great catchlighting. (personal note, plucking your eyebrows to make them fully separated into two distinct entities does not make you a metrosexual, just a thought.)
I think that what I find odd about this photo is the focus. To be a little more accurate, it's the focus combined with the pose. The forehead, hairline, eyes and nose are crisp and well-defined, yet the mouth and jawline are not. There does not appear to be enough change in 'depth' in the pose to cause this (the head does not seemed to be tilted down enough to cause this), so it appears to be a result of post-processing. It may indeed have been done in camera (and thus be an optical illusion), but it throws off the 'feel' of the photo for me - it just feels inconsistent.
Other than the focus issues, though, it's quite a good shot. The pose and composition are quite good, and the skin tones are very good. I also like that the eyes look natural. The choice of background color is unusual (to me) for a male subject, but it works quite nicely.
Add photograph to your favorites
Add photographer to your favorites
Photographer found comment helpful.
