Western again...

rwells

I was shooting a business headshot today, and since I had the lights already setup, I thought it a good chance to shoot a new avatar.

Was trying for a 50's Western look. Not sure that I quite got there.

What do you think?

Here's two slightly different versions

Art Scott

really good shots but I do not think they are RIDERS in the SKYISH ENUFFISH....Not really Hoppy alongy Cassidyish enufish..........I don't know ...something missing.........

rwells

Art Scott wrote:

really good shots but I do not think they are RIDERS in the SKYISH ENUFFISH....Not really Hoppy alongy Cassidyish enufish..........I don't know ...something missing.........

Yeah,
I can't really put my finger on what's missing either.

Maybe a lean, square jawed cowboy


I think that sterile background just isn't working for this shot. I need to go out to a good location and re-shoot.

Art Scott

rwells wrote:

Yeah,
I can't really put my finger on what's missing either.

Maybe a lean, square jawed cowboy


I think that sterile background just isn't working for this shot. I need to go out to a good location and re-shoot.

Clean cut maybe.....lean......Gene Autry weren't lean......none of them RKO boys was lean.....mean yeah....ahhhh that is it you ain't mean lookin enuff....need to get taller hat from HATMAN JACK here in town.....he supplies several with great oldie styles he makes.....rofl

Richard

rwells wrote:

What do you think?

Not bad at all. I'm guessing the second will work better at avatar size. Have you looked at them when downsized?

D'Buggs

BG is ok - I tink your 'stache is giving ya away..... It's too clean/well groomed.

Nice work NTL.
1 is best.

rwells

Richard wrote:

Not bad at all. I'm guessing the second will work better at avatar size. Have you looked at them when downsized?

Doh,

Didn't think of that

Downsized, then had to lighten up the pic quite a bit for it to look right.


Thanks Richard

rwells

D'Buggs wrote:

BG is ok - I tink your 'stache is giving ya away..... It's too clean/well groomed.

Nice work NTL.
1 is best.

Thanks Buggs, but...

OK, I don't get out much...what is "NTL" ?

D'Buggs

rwells wrote:

...what is "NTL" ?

......... "none-the-less"


I was feelin' lazy.

Swartzy

I love the look Randy. The first one grabs me moreso only because the lighting across the eyes in the second is just a tad much....the first is splendid..and yes, gives me that John Wayne movie feel. Very cool.

bendruckerphoto

Very nice. Definitely #1, though. Opening up the shadows introduces too much noise in the second one.

rwells

Swartzy wrote:

I love the look Randy. The first one grabs me moreso only because the lighting across the eyes in the second is just a tad much....the first is splendid..and yes, gives me that John Wayne movie feel. Very cool.

Hey Dave,

Thanks for the input

When/if it ever cools down, I've got a lot of "Cliché Western Movie" type pics that I want to shoot. Buddy & I are thinking about shooting them in Tombstone, AZ.

I would be thrilled if I can bring back to life some of those great Western images, if only in my little world A project if you will...

rwells

bendruckerphoto wrote:

Very nice. Definitely #1, though. Opening up the shadows introduces too much noise in the second one.

Ben,

that's my thoughts too, but it's always appreciated to hear others opinions.

Thanks for your input

W.W. Webster

rwells wrote:

Was trying for a 50's Western look.

You got it!

rwells

W.W. Webster wrote:

You got it!

Thanks WW,

I appreciate knowing if I met my image goal for anyone else

pathfinder

Lash Larue!!:D

Well done, Randy!

rwells

pathfinder wrote:

Lash Larue!!:D

Well done, Randy!

You crack me up Jim ~~~ BTW, thanks for that link!

As I previously stated: I do hope in the future to shoot a project of Western images that mimics the 50's style. It drives me a little nuts. I try to enjoy a good Western, but all the while I'm thinking, "that would make a great shot ~ gotta' remember that scene".


Quick search and what do ya' know...

Lash Larue's background looks very familiar


Thanks for your comments

Tim Kamppinen

I prefer the first one. In the second the dodging of the eyes jumps out at me, in a bad way... just calls too much attention to itself and doesn't look believable. I do agree that you should reshoot on location somewhere. Even just a nice cloudy sky for a background might do it... but if you live somewhere with large open western-ish vistas, then all the better...

Nikolai

Nice one Randy. "Western Noir" even:-)
#1 for me.
One nit - bg is dull . Cowboys did not have their daguerrotypes taken in blooming studios with the seamless, youknowhatI'msaying?
Add some cacti.. If you don't have one, ask some of the nice AZ/UT/NM/NV folks for help, they should have plenty of that stuff in their ports

rwells

Tim Kamppinen wrote:

I prefer the first one. In the second the dodging of the eyes jumps out at me, in a bad way... just calls too much attention to itself and doesn't look believable. I do agree that you should reshoot on location somewhere. Even just a nice cloudy sky for a background might do it... but if you live somewhere with large open western-ish vistas, then all the better...

Tim,

I agree with you and your photo choice, but, look at some of the Hollywood 50's images & you'll note that the lighting was very strong, very un-natural, across the eyes.



Thanks for your input

rwells

Nikolai wrote:

Nice one Randy. "Western Noir" even:-)
#1 for me.
One nit - bg is dull . Cowboys did not have their daguerrotypes taken in blooming studios with the seamless, youknowhatI'msaying?
Add some cacti.. If you don't have one, ask some of the nice AZ/UT/NM/NV folks for help, they should have plenty of that stuff in their ports

I hear ya' Nik


Side Note: I was using a Photek 5' Softlighter for the previous High Key Business headshot background ~ pointed at the back of the subjects head, camera shooting straight into it). It's a simple way to have a high-key, evenly lit bg with just one light, and is easily setup and portable. (I did burn the bg for my avatar photo, obviously)

Nikolai

rwells wrote:

Side Note: I was using a Photek 5' Softlighter for the previous High Key Business headshot background ~ pointed at the back of the subjects head, camera shooting straight into it). It's a simple way to have a high-key, evenly lit bg with just one light, and is easily setup and portable. (I did burn the bg for my avatar photo, obviously)

I think I missed the post with the business headshots... where was it?

Tango

Really nice work Randy. (Sorry i am of no help with such a blan statement...)

but heres my cheer

rwells

Nikolai wrote:

I think I missed the post with the business headshots... where was it?

I didn't post that Nik. I will only post a customers pics on a public board if I have the customers permission. Some don't want their mug displayed on the Internet, or more than likely, by someone other than themselves.

Thanks for asking though.

Nikolai

rwells wrote:

I didn't post that Nik. I will only post a customers pics on a public board if I have the customers permission.

Thanks for asking though.

I understand... Same here ;-)

rwells

AaronNelson wrote:

Really nice work Randy. (Sorry i am of no help with such a blan statement...)

but heres my cheer

Hey Aaron,

I thought you were going to say (Sorry i am of no help with such a blan subject)


I was going to whole heartedly agree with you


All kidding aside; I appreciate your comment

Tim Kamppinen

rwells wrote:

look at some of the Hollywood 50's images & you'll note that the lighting was very strong, very un-natural, across the eyes.

Ah, I see what you were going for. You're right... and that's why I often get annoyed when watching old films that have otherwise fantastic lighting... all of a sudden a spotlight shows up on someone out of no where and kills my suspension of disbelief!

rainbow

You have a bad, mean look. I stand here hoping that you will not turn your gaze on me next, cuz you look like you wanna mix it up with someone.

So what happens if you take that pose, turn slowly and look straight at the camera?

rwells

rainbow wrote:

You have a bad, mean look. I stand here hoping that you will not turn your gaze on me next, cuz you look like you wanna mix it up with someone.

So what happens if you take that pose, turn slowly and look straight at the camera?[/quote]



The lens cracks

---

Kidding aside, you'd get quite a different look, one that I wasn't looking for with this particular image. This sounds convenient, but honestly, I was trying for a look that did look like I was fixin' to be after someone, but not the viewer.

A lot of old Western movie promo images, for posters or what-not, used this same pose/look. To my memory, most of the images where the cowboy is looking into the camera, he didn't have a particularly stern look, and by the same token, when looking off-camera, that's when they gave the "draw that smoke wagon" look.

Admittedly, it is a little hard to gage all this when doing a self-portrait. After all, I do look directly into that face in the mirror every morning.


I do appreciate your though out question/suggestion

Flutist

I think the lighting is perfect for the time period you are trying to capture. Strong lighting across the eyes, perfect!!!

I think as mentioned that your stache gives you away, however, add a little "dirt" to your face, and a cigarette (unlit) , and I think ya got it

rwells

Flutist wrote:

I think the lighting is perfect for the time period you are trying to capture. Strong lighting across the eyes, perfect!!!

I think as mentioned that your stache gives you away, however, add a little "dirt" to your face, and a cigarette (unlit) , and I think ya got it

Thanks Shannon,

I'll have to give the "dirty" look a try...