Father Joe

lifeinfocus

I was asked to take a few photos of our priest, Father Joe, during Mass. He is a remarkable man. I have met very few people like him in my life.

I don't feel comfortable taking photos during a service, but I took few shots from a distance. The light was just right. I cloned background to remove one distracting object camera right.

Qarik

hmm..try this in BW.

lifeinfocus

Qarik wrote: »

hmm..try this in BW.

Sure, what do you think? BTW, that gold color in the background is natural. Thanks for the suggestion. Phil

Sam

Sorry if this seems negative, but your image does not reflect your glowing admiration for this man.

Re shoot. If it must me during a regular mass, shoot. Wedding are spiritual and religious ceremonious yet we take photos all through the service.

It would be better of course if you could schedule a dedicated time not during a real ceremony.

At any rate don't shoot with the lighting I see in this image. Try a mass at a different time, and or wait for him to be in a consistent light source, not spotlighted.

Sam

lifeinfocus

Sam wrote: »

Sorry if this seems negative, but your image does not reflect your glowing admiration for this man.

Re shoot. If it must me during a regular mass, shoot. Wedding are spiritual and religious ceremonious yet we take photos all through the service.

It would be better of course if you could schedule a dedicated time not during a real ceremony.

At any rate don't shoot with the lighting I see in this image. Try a mass at a different time, and or wait for him to be in a consistent light source, not spotlighted.

Sam

Appreciate the comments much.

I guess one of things that I liked about it was the natural light, which only comes in a narrow timeframe. And especially this winter.

Hackbone

Phil, for me this image has too many distractions. The gold color behind, the bright area lower right and left then again down by his foot, and finally the purple area rear right. He seems to be deep in prayer and the center of attention should be showing that intent. I would try a horizontal b&w crop just below his hands and I believe you would have a stronger image.

lifeinfocus

Hackbone wrote: »

Phil, for me this image has too many distractions. The gold color behind, the bright area lower right and left then again down by his foot, and finally the purple area rear right. He seems to be deep in prayer and the center of attention should be showing that intent. I would try a horizontal b&w crop just below his hands and I believe you would have a stronger image.

Thank you. I will do that. I understand your excellent point.

lifeinfocus

Fewer Distractions
Appreciate opinion on the changes.

I cropped in half to remove distractions and reduced remaining bottom background with a little blur.

And changed the stole color closer to the Lenten color.

Bryce Wilson

Hey Phil!

I think it's a tad over exposed. Notice image left, there is absolutely no texture at all in his robe. It's just a big white blob in that area. Try bringing it down a tad.

kdog

Strong composition now. However, the robe is completely blown out. Go back to the raw file and see if it's recoverable there. If not, sadly it's a tosser.

lifeinfocus

Modified Exposure
Thanks much for all the comments. I redid the image and reduced exposure.

You all were most helpful.

Phil

Sam

OK, much better.

Sam

kdog

Personally, I would make a smooth gradient from the dark bottom of the robe upward towards his face which should be the brightest portion. That way you're drawn into his face, rather than getting stuck in the middle of the robe which is currently the brightest portion of the photo.

lifeinfocus

kdog wrote: »

Personally, I would make a smooth gradient from the dark bottom of the robe upward towards his face which should be the brightest portion. That way you're drawn into his face, rather than getting stuck in the middle of the robe which is currently the brightest portion of the photo.

Good idea. Here is the gradient edit. And I dodged lower left too.