Tom

[nonac]

http://home.iprimus.com.au/z918279/Old Tom.jpg

[Joe F.N.]

This portrait is really out of the ordinary Hal. I like it but I'm not sure how to take it. If you know what I mean. And if you do let me know.

[Rudi]

Hal, I liked this portrait the first time I saw it, and I haven't changed my mind yet. :D

[Kevin]

I like this portrait! Can you share what pp effects you applied?

[nonac]

Dear Joe, Rudi and Kevin,
Very many thanks for your kind comments.
They are greatly appreciated.

Kevin and Joe :
Tom and I were sitting near a window in his home having coffee.
We were about 4 feet apart.
He was gazing down at the beach. I said Hold that a moment Tom, and took
what was no more than a snapshot.

There was a clock on the wall and clothes stand with washing behind him.
But the diffused light was good. This is perhaps 50% of the file.

The image was cropped and rotated slightly. The busy background was blackened and the whole image darkened with Curves.
Selective darkening of his shirt, his ear and the back of his head.
Using Levels and Saturation I worked till I got the mood I was looking for.
The red channel was darkened and accentuated
Finally a slightly blurred layer, 2 Px, was used to control sharpness
Tom is over 80 and I tried to bring out what the years of toil and hardship
had done to his features.
He now lives alone in a small and rather untidy cottage close to the sea.

....... I hope this helps.
Regards
hal