After a hard days work
by Myndarpiltur

Comment by Dirt_Diver:
Greetings from the Critique Club :)

First let me say I don't think you need a critique on this but I can see that you want to get better. So let me see if I can help.

The over all image is very good. I think the only thing it lacks is depth. A B&W is a hard thing to master and it's not something you just convert to B&W and it's done. There are many ways to convert to B&W and everyone has their own way, so you just need to find one that works for you.

My suggestion is to do a Google search for B&W conversions and see what pops up. Depending on the program you use I might be able to give you some really good tips and tricks on how I convert to black and white.

Now back to your image. I think the set up here is very good. You have your subject doing something that you would normally see in the 50's and with the clothes he has on that̢۪s the impression I get. I don't think you went all the way though. What would have made this a better photo was a hat to match the scene and maybe some thick smoke coming off the cigar or out of his mouth. As far as editing goes you need to make the blacks blacker and the whites whiter. This would allow you to add depth to your picture. A secret tip I use when I know I am going to convert to B&W is over expose the shot some. This allows you to really bring the shadows out more and allows your image to show depth and not be under exposed from the editing

I think I would have also added a slight bit of yellow/orange to this and make it look like a real old time photo. You do have everything you need to pull this off and I know you can do it right.

With all that said I truly think you have a very good image. After all you finished 148 out of 455 and entering a FS is hard enough as it is. Congratulations on a new personal best and good luck in the future. FYI I don't know how far away they are from you but you might want to try and hook up with others from your area and learn about your camera and how to shoot the night sky. You guys have a lot of beautiful things around you and I'm sure Larus or someone would be willing to help you out.

~Joe~

After a hard days work
by Myndarpiltur

Comment by charmayne:
fantastic portrait!

After a hard days work
by Myndarpiltur

Comment by dafletchr:
Great tones.

After a hard days work
by Myndarpiltur

Comment by kevip6:
excellent environmental portrait

After a hard days work
by Myndarpiltur

Comment by Yo_Spiff:
Cigars, Bleechhh! But the photo is very good.

After a hard days work
by Myndarpiltur

Comment by MWitt:
Nice work. Good b&w conversion.

After a hard days work
by Myndarpiltur

Comment by aimeethetoo:
Great light and perfect in b&w. Somethin' about this guy & his pose makes me think he normally doesn't enjoy a cigar after a hard days work. Still, I like the composition and the contrast. 7 from me.

After a hard days work
by Myndarpiltur

Comment by Ivory:
Great lighting and pose, love the expression on his face. 10

Relax
by Myndarpiltur

Comment by ttreit:
Wow thought this would go a lot higher. Was one of my few 9's during voting.

Relax
by Myndarpiltur

Comment by Mephisto:
this is excellent and highly underrated imo.
i love the lighting and processing! well done, mr. pictureboy! ;)