[Don Schaeffer]

[binglefish]

I like the composition, but think it is a little flat.

Hope you don't mind but I had a quick fiddle.
Increased contrast and darkened the pole thing.

[Don Schaeffer]

bingle:

You certainly picked it up. Thanks.

[Russt]

g'day Don,

Really like this one ...........the comp the PP gives this shot a lot of mood and feeling well done!

Bingle, your work on this brings more detail to his face adding to the feeling.

Cheers

[Don Schaeffer]

Thanks Russt

[slejhamer]

In terms of lighting and exposure, I'd like the image with a brighter face as binglefish has done, but I also like the more ominous background grays of the original. Using flash while taking the picture might have achieved this. I played with a "painting with light" photoshop technique to demonstrate what I'm talking about.

Compositionally, I don't care for the way the pole divides the image - to me, it represents a stopping point, and anything to the right becomes irrelevant. Also, it feels like the man is too far out of frame - he's not in far enough on the left, and is falling out the bottom.

However, I find the writing on the pole intriguing, and adding contrast to the pole enhances it a little bit. It's no longer a distraction - I think it becomes interactive and mysterious. Is the man wondering what the writing says? Is he the message's recipient or did he leave it for someone else?

So now, how do we maximize the interaction between man and message? Back to composition: I cropped it so his eyes are roughly 1/3rd of the way from the top, putting the message at the bottom 1/3rd. I also cut some off the right so there is less empty space. The man is now decidedly in the frame and a point of focus, as is the scrawl on the pole. Now I go back and forth between these two areas of focus and there is a sense of tension in between.

Just my 2cents.

[Petographer]

Don, have you added some of your infamous grain to this image? I tried a little lightening up also and the noise is extreme. I see what could be an excellent candid shot of this "Prairie Man" but certain things like the noise fails the image. The pole is not a necessary part of the image either. You chose a great perspective to capture the shot and the old fella just happens to be giving a perfect pose. I would very much like to see this image as it came from the camera.

[Don Schaeffer]

It was a camera-on-my-lap candid. I lied the pole there and I wanted to get the sky which was surly. The contrast heightening and brightening techniques you guys used on this are very impressive. How did you do that?

--Don

[Russt]

excellent critique Mitch, reading your suggestions and then putting it together with the sample, I reckon I just learned a thing or two.....if it sinks in! Your small changes made a big difference! IMO I like the grain in this one it goes well with the time weathered look.

[shuttertalk]

Nice, expressive image, Don - the man's face is full of character.

I like the enhancements everyone else has been doing as well - really improves things

[slejhamer]

The contrast heightening and brightening techniques you guys used on this are very impressive. How did you do that?

--Don

Rather simple, actually, but you need to learn to use layers and layer masks.

First make a duplicate layer of your image.

Next, adjust brightness to taste. (I prefer using curves for this, but levels will do fine or even the simple brightness/contrast sliders.)

Apply a layer mask set to "hide all". The adjustment layer will now show a black square next to the layer, indicating that all the changes you made have been covered up.

Now selectively add back the changes: Choose a modest sized paint brush and set it to low opacity (~15%). Change the foreground paint color to white. Make sure the black layer mask is selected in your layer palette (click on the mask itself, not the overall layer.) In your image, simply "paint light" where you want it, with broad brush strokes. I use a pen/tablet, but the mouse works too. What you are really doing is painting white onto the mask, and the effect is that it lets the brightened layer shine through.

There are many variations of this technique, but that's the basics of it.

[Toad]

Don: I think this is an exceptional image - one of your most impresssive in some time. The post processing is a subject of adding value only - some good suggestions for improvement here - but the base image is superb.

[Don Schaeffer]

Thank you all for your good will on this one and your help. I really have to learn to use photoshop.

--Don

[Don Schaeffer]

Is this an improvement.