The first of a number of pictures of Max for the portrait side challenge - sometimes I like to use a very narrow depth of field to enhance areas of interest.
First impression: I like the choice of hat. It works really well with the blazer. The shallow dof really emphasizes the texture of the hat and Max's eye.
Suggested improvement: When a subject is looking off frame, I sometimes like it when there is negative space for him to look through. Try expanding the canvas to the right and stretch the bg to fit.
I quite like it too. Something about it looks kind of vintage to me. Like you could be looking at a portrait from another era. I love how you have mixed softness with contrast to really bring out those dramatic eyes. Yes, the narrow depth of field is awesome here.
I like the side view, and the lighting is excellent, there is a slight blow out on his collar, but who cares. the overall composition and placement make this wonderful.
The shallow DOF works great here. I like that his face and hat are so in focus....but the brim of the hat is blurred. Great conversion too!! Very well done.
alot of times i have entered shots in challenges where half the face is oof and taken hits for it but always liked the way it looked. no exception here, this is great!
Excellent portrait. I love the depth of field and how it bring focus to his eye and eye lashes. The lighting provides wonderful tonality and depth. I like the hat... adds a lot of character and keeps this from being just another portrait.
I can tell I will learn a lot from looking at your portraits. And I particularly like this in black and white. I love how kids can get away with anything so far as clothing is concerned. Especially when it's new.
the DOF here is great. I love the angle of his face and how you got his eyelashes so sharp. One of my favorite ways to photograph is to focus on the lashes and use a shallow DOF and you achieved that well here.
BTW, interesting mix of clothes -- formal jacket with casual shirt and hat -- must have been Dad rather than Mom who dressed him. :-)
That made me laugh - this was Christmas Day - he decided to put the jacket on and the hat was new so 'had' to be worn. He was under the illusion he looked cool! Rest assured I pointed out the error of his ways! He does look very young in this image but he is 9. He looks his age in the other images I'll share.
I should comment on the lighting - natural light from a very large window behind and to the left of me.
Shallow DOF works so well here because you have him angled in such a way that one eye, his nose and part of his mouth (as well as a large part of his hat) are all in the plane of focus. Great lighting (but not surprising coming from you).
BTW, interesting mix of clothes -- formal jacket with casual shirt and hat -- must have been Dad rather than Mom who dressed him. :-)
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