DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 
Challenge Entries
Portfolio Images
Four Years Later
Four Years Later
Konador


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study XI (Advanced Editing IV*)
Collection: People
Camera: Canon EOS-300D Rebel
Lens: Canon EF 28-105mm f/4-5.6 II USM
Location: Studio
Date: Apr 29, 2006
Galleries: Portraiture, Black and White
Date Uploaded: Apr 29, 2006

 Four years ago, when I was 15, I took a self portrait which has become one of my favourite self-portraits to date. I used my Canon G2 with flipout screen. It was quite simple - just hold the camera in one hand, turn it towards me, compose in the LCD screen, and snap away till I got that lucky shot which I liked so much!

It was for the "Black & White Portrait" Challenge on DPC. Initially it was another shot from the series that I liked best and entered, and I got a respectable 7th place from it, but over time the outtake grew on me. A couple of months ago I decided to enter it into the "Best of 2002" Challenge here, where it also did quite well!

For the Free Study challenge last week, I thought it would be interesting to try and reproduce that shot. I would have a more up-to-date version where I didnt look so young, which could perhaps replace the old one as being my fav, and I wouldnt have to show people such an old picture of me if they wanted to know what I looked like! It was also an experiment to see if I had the skill to reproduct something exactly which was just pure luck the first time around.

It was very challenging! Getting the lighting right was very tricky, since before I'd just placed my desklamp on my bed randomly, and setting my 300D up in the right place on a tripod was just as challenging because before it was hand held. This time I didnt have a flip-out LCD screen to compose on either! After a few attempts I managed to get the pose almost the same, and the lighting roughly correct, but it took many attempts to get it as close as I did in the end. I still don't think it's spot on, especially the placement of the hand, but after such a long time I was getting fed up, and it was the best I had!

So, here are the 2 shots, side by side, so you can all see how I've "matured", hehe :)


Statistics
Place: 32 out of 211
Avg (all users): 6.3587
Avg (commenters): 7.5000
Avg (participants): 6.1584
Avg (non-participants): 6.6024
Views since voting: 1447
Views during voting: 316
Votes: 184
Comments: 31
Favorites: 3 (view)

Please log in or register to add your comments!

AuthorThread
 02/01/2007 02:16:31 AM
Awesome awesome...inspiring actually.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/01/2007 01:13:24 AM
this guy never aged a bit in 4 years....
BOTOX!!! lol
Ben, I still think it looks like Frodo (and that again, is a compliment)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/21/2006 02:16:29 AM
What a cool idea....I hope you continue the project at least every 4 years!
btw loved the latest tutorial, you make things very clear, Thank You!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/11/2006 11:47:19 PM
Hello from the Critique Club!

This is a very striking portrait. I see four elements that complement each other well and give this shot it's intensity. First is the lighting. I very much like how only half of your face is visible. This is the one element that first grabs my attention and pulls me in to find the others. Next is the expression in your eye, it is very focused, as if your full attention is held by whatever you may be looking at. Third, your hand placed over your mouth. This gives the feeling of deep thought, and by covering your mouth, you are hiding any reaction you had to whatever you are looking at. I like not knowing if it is a slight grin, or a more concerned expression. Fourthly, this being a black & white shot adds to the power. This would not work near as well if this photo were in color.

My only criticism, and this is a very small one, is that your cheek is a little blown out. It would be nice to know what shutter speed you used. I think just a little faster would have toned it down just enough.

-Bill
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/09/2006 03:59:55 AM
I came back to this because I knew there was some story I was missing. I didn't have time to vote in the challenge, but I had a quick look through and this one did make an impression.

Having read it, and seen the comparison, I'd say it rocks!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/08/2006 05:00:17 AM
Yup, you've grown to a man, but you're still cute!! This is just as awesome as the first shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/08/2006 12:45:05 AM
Dude, you're grown up. You've gone beyond the cute factor and the chicks will be knockin' at your door 'cause your a man now!
Yours
TC
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
05/07/2006 10:35:29 PM
Top 3
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/07/2006 12:39:06 PM
I like the expression and the lighting from a single source. The division of the face down the median adds interest, though I wish the head were tipped a bit more to the model's left to take advantage of the potential for a partial profile there. The hand gesture is difficult to read in the image--yes, pensive and a bit of a press against the lips--but an odd thing is happening with the lower finger. The position and blending of the second finger with the face makes it begin to look like the lower jaw...once that idea occurred to me, I found it almost impossible to shake the strange concept....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/07/2006 07:55:54 AM
amazing sharpness and lighting...well done...this should finish in top 10 or better 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/06/2006 08:16:23 PM
Ben, smile!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/05/2006 11:01:38 PM
Great focus on the eye and detail in the hair. I really like the falloff from light to dark on the right. The light and dark areas are balance very well.

However there seems to be a hot spont on the cheek.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/05/2006 07:40:10 PM
The lighting works really well in the eye area, but the strange play of light and flesh in the nose/mouth leaves me frightened. Dunno why - it's just very strange geometry.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/05/2006 01:53:12 PM
very very nice lightning

i love the skin-texture
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/05/2006 03:19:30 AM
I love the tonality and focus. But the complete black on right side of face creates a harsher feel than the rest of the photograph suggests for me. Some details on right(particularly the eye) may help.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/04/2006 10:05:02 PM
I'm seeing more of this single eye thing. It works for me. nice portrait.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/04/2006 03:59:07 AM
Fantastic sharpness. Great shot. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/03/2006 11:34:46 PM
Great B&W close up...7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2006 06:24:31 PM
Wonderful Ben!!! I really like your first entry, and I really like this one also!!!
Definitely... Age shows!!!
Thanks for sharing and congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2006 06:08:32 PM
Nice moody image, good detail in the eye
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2006 02:50:08 PM
A little too much lighting IMO, but a really nice angle, astounding eye.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2006 05:47:53 AM
4 years already? time flies huh, nice pensive shot Ben!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/01/2006 06:44:59 PM
Ahhh, a new favorite image for me! Having seen the "4 years ago" version, I'm delighted and amazed to see how closely you've matched the original vision. Super, fantastic, wonderfully well done. Composition is very strong, lighting is perfect, and that is the most amazing eye detail I've seen since the last one you did. Good luck, Benbo!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/01/2006 05:51:27 PM
Ha ha haaaaaaaaaaaa ha. CUT YOUR HAIR, BOY! Man, you look scruffy. And that lighting is making your nose look shiny. But don't worry. Your cyberaunt loves you even when you need a hair cut. HUG!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/01/2006 03:36:57 PM
beautiful! nice lighting
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/01/2006 03:36:24 PM
I really like the look of his eye and side of his face. I find the out of focus fingers a bit confusing. I think they take away from the quality of this photograph.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/01/2006 07:29:52 AM
Wow - the recognition and familiarity here make this pretty intense. The eye is once again perfect ... the face-hair makes it nostalgic in a way. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/01/2006 04:45:43 AM
good use of shadow, the fingers in the mouth don't work for me
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/01/2006 01:12:58 AM
That finger comes out of nowhere to me and I keep coming back to it from the eye. What does your title mean?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/01/2006 12:38:33 AM
Looks a little like Elijah Wood, hehe. :)
Nice focus on the eyes. Kinda looks like he's wearing contacts.
Maybe I'm too tired to be commenting... :X
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/01/2006 12:34:32 AM
I'm not getting the title. I think this is a nicely executed portrait and I love the perfect shadow down his face. The only thing distracting for me is including the fingers in the photo. I don't think I can see enough of them to understand why they are there.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Prints! - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 04/23/2024 06:24:49 AM EDT.