The Smoke Charmer
by MinsoPhoto

Comment by MinsoPhoto:

Originally posted by Alexkc: I love this shot, I gave you a 9. I don't know why but I'm sure that most of your portraits are underrated man! I know that they're almost always self-portraits but it doesn't change the fact that they're good :)

Thank you, I am short on models so my ugly mug has to do lol. I am sure you will see my face many more times here.

The Smoke Charmer
by MinsoPhoto

Comment by Alex_Petrini:
I love this shot, I gave you a 9.

I don't know why but I'm sure that most of your portraits are underrated man! I know that they're almost always self-portraits but it doesn't change the fact that they're good :)

The Smoke Charmer
by MinsoPhoto

Comment by BrennanOB:
Good sense of intimacy with strong textures and lighting. Nice shot.

The Smoke Charmer
by MinsoPhoto

Comment by tanguera:
Smoke is so photogenic. Great portrait, too.

The Smoke Charmer
by MinsoPhoto

Comment by PennyStreet:
excellent image... love the light

Freedom of Speech
by MinsoPhoto

Comment by EL-ROI:
This is real good. Pretty much ten worthy in my book except for the definite line of demarcation in the hair light. Why doesn't it wrap around your shoulders? It just stops dead above the shoulder. Everything else is perfection!!!

Alyssa Lies
by MinsoPhoto

Comment by MinsoPhoto:
Thank you all for your comments. Based on those and the scoring distribution I would call this a successful entry. I am a bit surprised it finished so low based on a divorce entry ribboning in the last family challenge and judi's Fragile entry in the delicate challenge pulling a 6. Oh well, still happy with the shot. Now to try and get a good score with my daughter lol.

Freedom of Speech
by MinsoPhoto

Comment by mcaldo:
Agreed, conquering freedom of speech can be a pretty painful move :D
As a fellow bearded man, I feel your pain.
I am very incompetent at studio lighting, but it looks like it was pretty tough to balance things so to protect detail everywhere. Great job with the jacket and silver tape, but the skin seem to have suffered a bit in the process (unless the harshness/posterization was intentional. The rim light on the hair works well but it also look like it was abruptely cut at the bottom.
You have some pretty good drammatic light setups in your portfolio, I wonder how this pose would have worked with one of them.
But I like it, good job!

Freedom of Speech
by MinsoPhoto

Comment by tanguera:
Is that a real cut over the eyebrow or just really spectacular makeup??? I like the passion in this image, although next time, make sure the hair light is higher so it doesn't create such truncated shadows at the shoulders

Alyssa Lies
by MinsoPhoto

Comment by Purple_Girl:
I guess the harsh reality subject matter didn't appeal to the masses; in an 'emotional' or 'gritty' challenge, this would have ribboned. You were absolutely robbed in my opinion.