I personally wouldn't classify the photo as being of a 'punk loser', nor do I doubt that model is a nice guy.
But, when I look at the photograph itself certain ideas leap out at me: the title itself is 'gangsta', and while gangstas and gangsters are not the same thing, the latter certainly were punk losers. The model's expression is aggressive, the money suggests a morally bankrupt greed.
I don't really have any visceral reaction to the photo at all, but I really don't see how you can dismiss Lance's reaction to it as irrelevant or unhelpful. People have strong reactions to art, and I don't see why you don't encourage emotional responses to your work, because otherwise all you're left with is a set of dry technical advice.
In response to recent forum activity because it more rightly belongs here:
I took LanceW's original comment to mean something like this: "Look at this guy who's aspiring to be a gangsta" i.e punk loser==gangsta==(wannabe) gang member==street thug who sells drugs, shoots people, and engages in generally unsavory activities. Obviously, the comment could have been worded in a less juvenile manner...oh well.
At any rate, I'm glad this came up in the forums, because I may not have viewed your portfolio otherwise. You have some great work in there (this image included).
I gave it a 7. I think some of the low votes are just knee-jerk reactions of the subject (rap artist and everything that stereotypically stands for). It is a tad on the dark side and that is worst on his face. The face is so important to a portrait...
You achieved what you set out to do, I think...The only problem with the lighting is on the face. Everywhere else the lighting is pretty good. The skin tones on the body are quite nice, I just wish the face had that as well, since as humans, that is where we reside the longest.
Ok ... the money isn't fake it is real ... lol
The guy (a sucessufull local rapper and actually a really nice guy) goes by the name "yong money" and wanted the cash in the shot ... oh well give em what they want ...
I like the image over all and gave it a 7. I agree with Brad P's comment about the prop money....it really did not need it with all the other accoutrement(sic) this guy has going on. Really like the facial attitude you caught. The really dark headgear may not have been a wise choise as it is so dark the detail on it goes away with the downturned head. Perhaps a slightly lighter color.
funny thing is that my current entry is in the tank also... I am starting to see a trend that I really don't like and I dont think that it is a problem with the images ... makes me wonder
Helpful tip of the day: Tighter belt or less money to weigh his pants down. :)
Nice tones and lighting here. I think the $$ in the pockets is a bit over the top actually and is somewhat of a distraction.
Love this skinny tattooed gangsta!!!-the title is great! Your lighting here is so wonderful. The black and white is absolutely perfect to my eye! CONGRATS Super shooting.
very gangsta portrait - dark, angry and rich too it seems. The backlight on the right is so much brighter than the rest of the lighting, it has become burnt out of detail - and the rest of the photo seems a bit dark, could be a tad brighter with a bit more contrast.
The money in the pockets put this on the cheesy side for me. For a shot like this I think your model has enough character to stand without props. The lighting is nice. Possibly could use some more contrast.
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