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The Criminal Element
The Criminal Element
total_novice


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Environmental Portrait II (Basic Editing)
Camera: Fujifilm FinePix S5700
Date: Mar 15, 2008
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/2sec.
Galleries: Self Portrait
Date Uploaded: Mar 16, 2008

 I expect a pretty low score from this as I'm trying to sell the flimsy premise that the dark is the criminals environment. Plus the harsh lighting and poor focus are really distracting. I also think I should have shot from the other side with my face disappearing into darkness rather than becoming more light, doesn't seem natural for the concept.

But I thought it was time I entered something and after taking this it seemed vaguely appropriate.
My aim with this photo is to get some constructive comments and if I'm lucky a brown ribbon.

Natural lighting from my window with a dark blue sheet in the background.

PP in GIMP
Opened levels and set the lightest part of the backdrop as the black point to remove creases in the sheet creating a smooth black background.
Used colour balance to correct the skin tone and played with curves and saturation a bit.
Applied Unsharp mask.
Applied De-Speckle
Crop & resize.
saved for web.

Statistics
Place: 113 out of 159
Avg (all users): 5.0317
Avg (commenters): 4.8462
Avg (participants): 4.5849
Avg (non-participants): 5.1508
Views since voting: 811
Views during voting: 374
Votes: 252
Comments: 16
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
 03/26/2008 02:22:31 PM
Wow thanks for all the great comments they really mean a lot. As this was my first challenge I had no idea what to expect and I'm more than pleased. 13 votes in the top 3 one of which is a 10 has made my day.

Plus I don't think I've ever seen such a perfect distribution curve in practice.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
03/24/2008 09:19:26 AM
He really does look like a crim! Now on the night of the 4th of March, where was he?.... great shot! great lighting as well. I like it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/23/2008 03:42:33 PM
This is a cool picture, but i think maybe having a background besides for black could help. This guy looks like David Blaine btw
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/23/2008 02:31:59 PM
I dont see the environment here.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/21/2008 06:47:00 PM
Sorry, I can't take that guy seriously with that moustache. He has great intensity in his eyes though. (he should at least get some dye to make it match his hair if he has to keep it)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/21/2008 03:45:55 PM
I really like this one. Nice soft light here, and good composition. This one should core high. Good luck.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/21/2008 07:22:46 AM
hmmmm, okay. His environment is the night, right? Hence no vissible environment. Although it is not 'wrong' or anything, it is a bit disappointing to have no (vissible) environment in an environmental portrait.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/20/2008 08:12:34 PM
good idea but too ambiguous.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/20/2008 01:19:00 PM
nice portrait, however the evirnment says nothing here because you havn't encluded any.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/20/2008 11:54:23 AM
Don't see the environmental aspect of this image, but the lighting is dramatic and the portrait is strong.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/20/2008 07:57:17 AM
wonderful
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/19/2008 10:25:25 PM
I guess the environment is darkness. Not sure it works for me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/19/2008 06:06:49 PM
Other than a disdainful evil look, dark shading and a hoody, how does this picture communicate a criminal? He could just be angry or frustrated or generally any other antisocial teen filled with angst. The environment is what is missing here. Imagine this face in an urban environment surrounded by other such faces, then you would have communicated "the criminal element." However, that being said, this shot does have something tantalizing and hypnotic in it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/19/2008 05:56:27 PM
Nicely done - good exposure, crop and composition.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/19/2008 02:31:49 PM
DNMC - Where's the environment?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/19/2008 12:36:40 PM
I wouldn't know much about your subject without the subject line. Would like to have seen more of him in his element.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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