My first decent portrait?

[travis.taylor]

What do you guys think? I like it.. I think...



I'm doing a research paper on the homeless "condition" for a college humanities class. I got in touch with the local shelter and found out where a nearby homeless camp was located and went out to talk to some people. "Little Mike" was the first gentleman I came across and we spoke for a few hours. I actually returned later that night to have a few beers
around a fire with him and a few other residents of the camp. I don't believe I've ever made so many friends in one night!
Thanks for looking and as always, feedback is greatly appreciated!!!

Tech details:
Canon P w/ 50mm F1.8
1/125th sec @ F5.6
200 ISO Walmart Fujifilm
Cropped and B&W conversion

 

[helen.HH]

yep, Well Done indeed !
off to a Great start

Wonderful Character portrayed in your 'Portrait'... Its all in the Eyes and the light is lovely

 

[travis.taylor]

Thanks Helen!
I thought it was kinda funny when I asked him if I could take a photo,
he was actually worried about how his hair looked....

 

[Vics]

I agree with Helen, as always. It is indeed all in the eyes. I think it was wise to convert to black and white. Color pictures show what a person looks like; black and white tells who this person is. Well done!

 

[Toastno6]

I agree with Helen, as always. It is indeed all in the eyes. I think it was wise to convert to black and white. Color pictures show what a person looks like; black and white tells who this person is. Well done!

Wow. Never a truer word spoken. Where abouts was this taken?

 

[Doug]

Nicely done! I can see a life of ups and downs...

 

[TXForester]

Add me to those that agree with Helen. Nice light and I like his posture even if you only get tiny bit of it.

 

[SausalitoDog]

Very nice !

Especially like the extra sharpening to accentuate the facial hair and aura...

Hope you saved some kind of preset of the processing so you can do a whole series of guys and have them present somewhat similarly?

Tom

 

[clicker]

Very nice soulful image.

 

[danielsterno]

well done travis- to me, i can see see you both related before your camera met his eye...

 

[paxnobiscum]

I agree with Helen, as always. It is indeed all in the eyes. I think it was wise to convert to black and white. Color pictures show what a person looks like; black and white tells who this person is. Well done!

+1 A great shot!

 

[travis.taylor]

sausalitodog:

Actually, if I remember correctly there was no sharpening done to the image.
I did adjust contrast a little though. I do believe that this is probably one of the best exposures I've ever taken.

I certainly wish I could get all of my photos exposed as nicely as this...

 

[Moto-Uno]

Sure hope you have a chance to return and show him the photo and all the positive
responses it received. You bet I liked it! Peter

 

[FrankS]

Great, Travis!

 

[Ko.Fe.]

My respect to OP!

 

[John Bragg]

Nice photo, well composed and well taken. I like his concern for how his hair was. Even those down on luck have dignity, and your photo helps to retain his !

 

[gb hill]

Very good. & well done on the b&w conversion.

 

[Uncle Fester]

Nice photo, well composed and well taken. I like his concern for how his hair was. Even those down on luck have dignity, and your photo helps to retain his !

I agree. I like how the OP chose to portray his subject as a human being with dignity, rather than just some bum on the corner the way so many people do. Well done Travis!!!

 

[MikeDimit]

Great approach to the subject, fine shot! I would cut from left - too much empty space there to my taste IMHO.

 

[bcli]

The forehead creases so define the character, and really contrast to the almost well trimmed facial hair. Wonderful contrasts! Thanks for sharing.