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egillbjarki


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study X (Advanced Editing IV)
Camera: Canon EOS-20D
Lens: Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Location: Home
Date: Jan 27, 2006
Aperture: 8
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/100
Galleries: Portraiture, Black and White
Date Uploaded: Jan 31, 2006

Meet my father.

This photo was taken with an on camera 580ex flash bounched. When I photographed my father I had this 1x1 format in mind, I love that medium fomat 6x6 frame.

The b&w convertion was done with channel mixer and above that layer there was a stack of curve layers to get the feel this photograph has. In the end I sharpend the eye area along with his hair and beard.

Hope you people like it, personally I'm really happy with it.

Statistics
Place: 3 out of 622
Avg (all users): 7.5198
Avg (commenters): 9.0000
Avg (participants): 7.4843
Avg (non-participants): 7.6512
Views since voting: 14416
Views during voting: 341
Votes: 202
Comments: 90
Favorites: 74 (view)


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AuthorThread
06/30/2009 06:06:33 AM
I like it. Very well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/03/2008 06:17:59 AM
Wonderful shot. I'd like to try something similar with my father. Thanks for the inspiration and perfect execution.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/03/2007 03:21:23 PM
That fact that this photo has currently 60 favourites speaks for itself, but this is the exact kind of image i'm aiming to aspire to, it's flawless.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/09/2006 12:08:12 PM
What a great shot. Perfect BW processing for this guy's mug. Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/28/2006 12:14:35 PM
thank god i dont have to look at this everytime i go to the website
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/17/2006 04:00:57 PM
Wonderful shot, I have a sim photo of my Dad, not as nice as yours, and now it is my most prized possession. I love the 5 o'clock shadow, makes it real.
Great job.

Byron Gates, Jr.
Cafepress.com/byrongates
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/14/2006 07:38:34 AM
Greetings from the Critique Club! I asked for image to critique and what I got does not really need much words :)

Aesthetic: Perfect. Thats all I can say. The wrinkles actually convey "experience".

Technical: Again Perfect. But since I have to write something- try looking at the picture without focussing on it (Try to focus on your reflection on screen) and you will be able to see some areas which you might look at dodging. All-right, I'm saying this because I dont have anything more to say :) But try it anyway...

Challenge: Well, anything would be fit for "Free Study". So no comments on this one (Pooh...I saved myself!)

Conclusion: Overall a very strong composition complimented by excellent technical base. Certainly BW is the best choice here and I really liked the duetone for the "experimental picture" in your comments. Maybe the same tone might have added more rustic feel ... but I dont know if this photo needed any rustic feel or not :) Extra sharpening around eyes really draws the focus to them while keeping wrinkles as ideal backdrop for the "title". Congratulation on the well deserved ribbon. "Freaky" is your profile is "freaky" ..and yet cool. Looking forward to learning more from your technique.

I'm by no means expert in area of photography. My comments are purely based on my limited understanding of technology and art behind digital photography. Apart from doing detailed evaluation of your submission, my intent is to learn different styles of photography by critically evaluating selective submissions. If you've got any questions about this critique, please feel free to contact me via email or PM.

Wish you a great day!
-Tej
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/14/2006 06:24:41 AM
I can't get my eyes off his!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/12/2006 02:34:06 PM
As you know, when you bounch up into a flat white sealing, you will get an eaven destrobution of light on your subject when you do it right. If you look at the edge of my faters face, you can see that it is a lot darker than the rest of his face. This effect is a good "support" for the eye, the whey you look at the picture, your eyes dont "fall away" from the face, you keep the viewers focus in the face.

This effect would typically be reached by placing black material close to the models face on both sides, and lit by one soft light source from front.

But I dont own any studio equipment, so I have to make this effect with the aid of photoshop. I´ll try my best to explain how I did that in this photograph.

This is basically a trial and error thing. By making multiple adjustments to areas in the face until you are satisfied with the resaults. Fyrst of all, you need to be working on layers. That way your photograph will stay in good condition under the adjustment layers, even after constand changes back and forth.

I used channel mixer to convert this photo to B&W, then above that layer I made many many curve adjustment layers. I basically look at one single thing in the face while making adjustments in curves until I am satisfied. When that area is like I want it to be, I invert the layers mask so the effect of the curves layer is none. Then I select the brush tool and paint the area I want the effect to reach with the curves layers selected with about 20% opacity. This I do to every single part of the face until I am satisfied.

The key is to know when to stop. The picture must look real, you are not making a pace of art, you are simulating a type of lightning.

I'm have been a student in photography since january 2006, there we have some studio equipment. I set up a lightning the other day and placed a fellow student in front of it. I was trying to get this effect with out all the hard photoshop work, here are the resaults :

02/12/2006 10:06:10 AM
Once again, thank you every one! I have recived messages from people from DPC regarding the treatment on this photo and how it endid up like this from a bounced flash. I will glad write it in details here, but I really dont have the time at this moment, but I will post more prosessing details soon.

Egill Bjarki
02/11/2006 09:37:00 PM
Everytime I logon to dpchallenge my eye get's drawn to this shot ... really well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/11/2006 08:52:56 PM
Have you ever thought of taking custom portraits for people? I think you'd do rather well at it!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/09/2006 06:44:48 PM
Extremely well done, and I love your PS work in this
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/09/2006 03:50:37 PM
I'm very interested in where you bounced the flash and what other lighting you used. Great..GREAT shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/09/2006 03:48:57 PM
wow!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/09/2006 12:41:17 PM
Til hamingju... massa mynd
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/09/2006 02:30:09 AM
Fantastic picture. Well done on your ribbon. No offense to your dad but he looks a little like Donald Rumsfeld!! Great photo!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/09/2006 01:19:17 AM
Congrats on your first Egill!
This shot is amazing in it's detail and tone. Superb job on the lighting too!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/09/2006 12:06:33 AM
Great shot and treatment.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 06:50:30 PM
Til hamingju með góðan árangur í harðri samkeppni. Verulega góð mynd og framúrskarandi eftirvinnsla.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 06:17:14 PM
A powerful image. B/W adds the punch for a very worthy winner !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 02:42:03 PM
so much character in this shot (and the man)! Love it. Congrats on your ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 01:16:07 PM
such a great image!
Til hamingju með þriðja sætið :D
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 12:57:18 PM
I had a feeling this spectacular photo would be at the top. Congratulations on your masterpiece!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 12:34:28 PM
ógeðslega flott mynd, til hamingju með borðann! transl.: filthily cool picture, to happiness with ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 11:57:45 AM
gave it a ten. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 11:38:36 AM
I like it..! Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 10:49:49 AM
Vá glæsilegt!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 10:41:14 AM
awesome !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 09:14:45 AM
Thank you all very mutch, I´m really happy with my fyrst ribbon! Yes I have heard that I look a lot like my dad, like father like son. I am fasinated by b&w photography, especially by the work of Richard Avedon.
02/08/2006 08:28:58 AM
Congratulations. Fabulous portrait.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 08:23:10 AM
Excellent portrait! Congrats on your first ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 07:29:38 AM
Such clarity in this great portrait. Congrats. on your ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 07:28:27 AM
Congrats! Your black and whites are awesome!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 06:13:35 AM
Til hamingju með borðan.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 05:58:32 AM
An awesome portrait - well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 05:25:22 AM
I wish I had taken this shot!!!
Awesome work Congrats on your ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 05:07:19 AM
Congratulations. Great work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 05:05:34 AM
Great portrait. You are a pro already. Congrats on your first ribbon !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 05:00:35 AM
Congrats on your yellow Egill. Frábær mynd.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 04:57:57 AM
seriously good portrait. Love this style of portrait. I saw the resemblance to your photo too. Great work
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 04:35:46 AM
Congratulations on your first ribbon! Mjög flott mynd.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 04:32:22 AM
Til hamingju með 3 sætið
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 04:28:50 AM
Glæsilegt. TIl hamingju :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 03:57:38 AM
The resemblance is striking, he really looks like you when I compare this to your other free study shot



Anyway, congrats on your first and I am sure not your last ribbon :) Go Iceland!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 03:33:11 AM
Til hamingju með borðann ;)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 03:15:58 AM
What a powerful portrait. I made it favorite, and two more of your profile. Your shots are very nice. Congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 01:52:54 AM
Congratulations Egill, great shot!
Til hamingju Egill, frábær mynd!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 01:50:19 AM
Stunning portrait. Well deserved. Til hamingju með gula borðann!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 12:53:07 AM
Great! My top pick! Beautiful character study!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 12:52:29 AM
Love your work it is very persuasive. Congratulations on your Yellow!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 12:49:06 AM
Such a powerful BW image. Your father should be proud ;) Congrats on your first ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 12:38:04 AM
This is such a great BW I've been inspired to try some myself. Congrats on Ribbon #1
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 12:20:14 AM
Just stunning. Congratulations on your ribbon. I love this image alot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/08/2006 12:14:44 AM
congrats! awesome portrait!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
02/07/2006 11:49:37 PM
Great photo!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/07/2006 07:59:33 PM
This is so strong, dramatic portrait. I also like how you have cropped the image, especially at the top, as it really grabs my attention..... I hope this is in the top ten.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/07/2006 04:45:10 PM
this is a freaking great portrait! great B&W, I love the square, detail is perfect, no reflections in his glasses, no blown out whites.

well done! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/07/2006 03:00:49 PM
...surely you already know how good this is...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/07/2006 02:24:37 PM
What do you say about this other than incredible. Lighting and contrast are excellent. Great work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/07/2006 08:53:47 AM
I like the lighting, the composition, the exposure, the mood, the expression on the face. I dislike the frame. It distracts from the image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/07/2006 07:39:36 AM
Nice! 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/06/2006 03:48:07 PM
very powerful black and white... nicely done :) 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/06/2006 01:40:17 PM
Brilliant post process!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/05/2006 07:40:03 PM
Incrediably sharp detail. Great lighting and contrast. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/05/2006 05:22:12 PM
I love the texture and tones. Excellent capture. It can be difficult photographing someone with glasses due to the glare they tend to produce but yours is a great example of how to work around that problem with the subject. He reminds me of my own grandfather and his stare he always had right before he spoke about his insight into the conversation.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/05/2006 09:56:00 AM
Very very nice. Expression, tonal range composition all excellent.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/04/2006 10:56:54 PM
10 and favorite. Nothing else to say...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/04/2006 08:31:51 PM
I love how he is just staring at me! It's kinda creepy, yet kinda calming. Great tones, sharpness and just awesome overall! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/04/2006 12:10:15 PM
flott mynd hjá þér eins og alltaf :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/04/2006 08:57:36 AM
great potrait - nice detail
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/03/2006 10:49:51 PM
7 - Nice portrait/character capture. Toning works well. Criticism; not much, perhaps either cropping even tighter at the top to eliminate that hair upper right, but minor and changes the face/expression slightly so not sure. Typo in your title, unless it is deliberate.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/03/2006 09:18:32 PM
Wonderful portrait. Very good job on the lighting. Nice details and focus. Really like the straight on impact of this shot. Good work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/03/2006 08:32:30 PM
I can't believe the amount of detail you captured in this portrait and the incredible tonal range throughout. This is an absolute 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/03/2006 07:18:17 PM
very captivating
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/02/2006 09:30:43 PM
Fantastic lighting and clarity and tones in this portrait. Great, wonderful. 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/02/2006 07:10:16 PM
Great B&W. I love the tonal ranges. A top finisher.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/02/2006 03:40:33 PM
Great portrait. The focus is excellent, and the lighting is also. I couldn't help notice the spelling of the title, but I'm sure you'll have plenty of other comments about that.. Great photo anyway, 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/02/2006 03:15:00 PM
Wow, look at those details - AWESOME> down to the stubble on the chin. Excellent, excellent, excellent.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/02/2006 11:29:24 AM
Oh how I love this type of photo that makes every character line and skin texture look rich and 3-dimensional. Those eyes look so deep and full of a kind of sorrow about life. Captured so well. A gallery piece. Life Magazine cover.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/01/2006 11:45:45 AM
EXCELLENT! Reminescent of a Richard Avedon portrait. Really great detail and the contrasts and lighting - WOW The eyes are perfect, which is sometimes hard with glasses! BRAVO !!!!! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/01/2006 10:58:03 AM
wow, now this is a detailed portrait! wonderful b/w conversion! (9)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/01/2006 09:54:25 AM
An eye catching portrait, great execution.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/01/2006 08:52:31 AM
I would have like to see the whole head,i think this is overly cropped, otherwise great
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/01/2006 08:10:05 AM
a moving image
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/01/2006 07:44:39 AM
I love this; very jimmy stewart.So stark;the eyes-killer! so in your face; larger than life; my only concern; the mouth open? any way, this is great; good luck.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/01/2006 07:13:04 AM
good!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/01/2006 01:04:03 AM
Outstanding. A little too much border for me, but not affecting my scoring one bit.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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