Portrait of Patrick

[Geoff]

I got a bit weirded out by doing all this landscape stuff this morning so got Patrick in a shot. Basically a bit of desaturation and curves/level/sharpening treatment.
Comments welcomed;

[Matt. K]

Geoff
I'm going to deconstruct your composition here and point out a view truths (My opinion only). First...note that the camera is pointing to right of image frame (Taking a pic of ...what?), and Patrick is looking at the lens. This weakens the image because the viewer is likely to look one way...see nothing of interest...and then look the other. This can break the rhythm for the viewer and weaken the image. Note that the third right portion of the image has nothing of visual interest to contribute to your photo. Wasted pixels. Note that cutting off the elbow or any other limb at the edge of the image space can...but not always does...weaken the composition. In this case I think it does. On the plus side I think you placed the horizon in exactly the correct position for this image. I don't know what sepia conversion method you used but I don't think it improved the image. I would....crop the image, open up the mid-tones and add some grain and noise. I would also desaturate the brown tone and maybe add a little yellow.
I will now duck for cover................

[Geoff]

Matt - appreciate the constructive criticism and I will crop and adjust according to your recommendations.
This was more of a quick candid rather than a posed portrait. I definitely agree regarding the crop. Noise? WHAT? Interesting suggestion, how do you think noise (in this photograph) will enhance it? I'm genuinely interested to hear your response.
Thanks again for the honest critique..I have a (relatively) hard shell

[Matt. K]

Noise can open up the image and give it a lightness of being. It can also add age, mystery and ambiance. Give it a try? However...I have just had a play around with this image in PS and it only slightly benefits from a tad of noise. Perhaps because it's a lo res version. Also, curiously....the more I look at it the more I like it. Go figure!

[Geoff]

Also, curiously....the more I look at it the more I like it. Go figure!

That's what Alicia thinks too...that's even weirder

[chrisk]

Note that the third right portion of the image has nothing of visual interest to contribute to your photo.

what...are you blind ?
you cant see the black panther in the treeline ?!!?!?

geoff, i quite like the image. i agree that there are some technical "flaws" to the composition but the eye contact is warm and engaging and can carry the rest. now onto more serious business...looks to me like quite an expensive 17-35 mounted there, your standing on rocks, its a little wet...why the hell isnt your lens hood on patrick ?

[Reschsmooth]

Note that the third right portion of the image has nothing of visual interest to contribute to your photo.

what...are you blind ?
you cant see the black panther in the treeline ?!!?!?

geoff, i quite like the image. i agree that there are some technical "flaws" to the composition but the eye contact is warm and engaging and can carry the rest. now onto more serious business...looks to me like quite an expensive 17-35 mounted there, your standing on rocks, its a little wet...why the hell isnt your lens hood on patrick ?

But obviously it is! Albeit, backwards.

By the way, Geoff's lens adds about 25kg to the subject!