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After seeing the poster for Duke Nukem - forever, I set out to create dark, gritty and low key portraits of a gangsta. The suitable 'model' was available and we gathered a prop or two to help the cause.

I didn't have the skill to replicate the Nukem poster so had to steer the shoot into a slightly different direction.

I am quite keen to receive some critique about lighting, mood, posing etc or anything else you can think of.

Great shots Suren.

You've nailed the theme.

IMO the first is the weakest but the rest are awesome.

I wouldn't want to bump into you on a dark night

I think you have done a great job with all of them, It's not easy doing a SP.

These are amazing. Great job, moody scenes.

First 2 shots....you nailed the lighting and created a sense of drama.

Nice work Suren - I've just started playing with my new flash and softbox this week and will have to post something at some stage as well mine so far have mostly been of other peoples children so not quite so scary (or perhaps they are) - in the 60 seconds I can get them actually interested in standing still for a photo that is...

I like #1 and #2 especially, #3 and 4 don't really do much for me but thats just my feeling.

With #2 I reckon you could have ditched the background completely (perhaps moved further from the background and the light closer to subject and let the inverse square law do it's thing and maybe used a faster shutter if needed to X any ambient light)?

Geoff M wrote: great job

dviv wrote:nailed the theme

ozimax wrote:moody scenes

Matt. K wrote:First 2 shots

Thanks for all your comments. I am also quite keen on the #1 which seems to work for me despite no eye contact.

Geoff M wrote: It's not easy doing a SP.

Geoff, what's a SP?

Remorhaz wrote:my new flash and softbox

Just to confirm, I think the softbox I have is smaller than yours. Which makes yours an absolute bargain. I paid $80 for mine and Gerry I think paid over $150!!

I was waiting for someone to try and decipher the lighting before saying anything. I am hoping Gerry will try. If not I am happy to post the details.

Remorhaz wrote:#3 and 4 don't really do much for me but thats just my feeling.

Thanks I need the critique so appreciate your thoughts.

Remorhaz wrote:With #2 I reckon you could have ditched the background completely (perhaps moved further from the background and the light closer to subject and let the inverse square law do it's thing and maybe used a faster shutter if needed to X any ambient light)?

Thanks. The background was sourced for $2.50 from the Dollar shop [It seems that they overcharged me $1.50 ] but wasn't large enough. It is slightly reflective which is good and bad I guess. I should have tried to get the lines out of it. I didn't notice how it was intruding when I took the photos so didn't think to move the subject forward! [slaps head]
There is no ambient in these pictures.

I have sent this link to the department of security, the CIA, the FBI, MI5 and 6, Mrs Karpo and my niece.

Which basically means, they are good enough to scare most people - well done

surenj wrote:

Remorhaz wrote:my new flash and softbox

Just to confirm, I think the softbox I have is smaller than yours. Which makes yours an absolute bargain. I paid $80 for mine and Gerry I think paid over $150!!

Mine is 60cm x 60cm ($34) and very happy...

I was waiting for someone to try and decipher the lighting before saying anything. I am hoping Gerry will try. If not I am happy to post the details.

I'm usually totally crap at this but I'll have a go (since I basically know nothing about lighting )

#1 - looking into softbox directly on left (of frame) with a silver reflector very close (or another flash?) on the right?

#2 - straight flash? from pretty much straight on and higher above?

Superb pictures. I like all of them. I believe the
the last one is not as good as the other three.
Of your set, the first one is the best. Good work.

surenj wrote:After seeing the poster for Duke Nukem - forever

I thought Duke nukem was bigger

I reckon these are all great, 4 very different images of teh same subject well brought together with excellent lighting and props.

I will pick the weakest (in my mind) and have a crack at it. The second image. The impression i get is the guy at the end of the line, with the baddies bashing down the door and he is about to have one last hurrah, last clip and a live nade, the ultimate body on te line move. The pose could have been changed to make this better imo, having both arms by the sides may convey that final sense of despair but having the nade hand in the middle of the image might have helped to lead the viewer from the mini to the nade to the face. Maybe having the bicep curled and lookign out of the frame? anyway food for thought and its easy in hindsight and from the armchair.

The other thing is to get him on some protein shakes

The third image is premo, great eye contact and to achieve this when they are completely OOF is stellar, great concept and perfectly pulled off.

The first is also nioce...nothign imo to make that better, good hand position, good gaze..

The last is a bit weak in teh series with teh first thing to jump out at me is the hand being slightly cutout...

All in all a cracking series and your bro should be pleased.

surenj wrote:I was waiting for someone to try and decipher the lighting before saying anything. I am hoping Gerry will try. If not I am happy to post the details.

two lights one or both soft-boxed 60 degrees each side above subject.