Very interesting effct - I wish I could see the face and the man as opposed to a 'model'.

I know what you mean. But somehow the fact that this becomes who this guy is everyday spoke to me.

I wasn't aware that the mullet was still in style ;)

Only for studio shots maybe... :) He wanted to cut his hair, and even shave his head. We couldn't have let that happen without taking a few shots of the "in-between"...

Maybe it is because I have followed your blog for so long, but I think this shot really fits the topic very well.

Thanks Bob. Yep, that's my teenager, ipod and all.

really love the calm look here..wish that glass were over a bit, but it's really a lovely, warm face.

Looks posed to me. So much clutter and things in the way.

@Ana...thanks!

@psychodudu...you'll find a lot of portraits are posed for - probably most. I can't really see a problem with that.

Unless you were trying to place this gentleman in an airplane setting for some reason, I think you can crop out the entire right side and just concentrate on him.

Once you do that, the picture works for me just as it is.

This is what I see as a documentary style photograph - not so much a portrait.

I spend far too long considering various crops on my own shots so in my estimation I think cropping out the entire right side here would make this a far less intersting photo.

That said, I'm not wild on the extremes of this one, from over-exposed to murky shadows, they throw me off and I end up staring at the wall in the centre.

But I think the biggest thing I'm missing here is the context. If this is a close relative, and it's a particularly memorable trip, then it's a shot eggplant has an emotional attachment to. As it is, on first view, it's not a shot I feel much connection with beyond being curious on his expression and off-camera gaze.

I like this picture, and I agree with doilyboy, lighting the face more, and we'd see more of his gestures. His hand was in the right place at the right moment...I love it!

I like it. Yes, it could use some extra light on his face, but the picture makes me think..."I wonder what he is thinking about"

What a character! I love it!

Hawt Dawg, thats one serious tache!

great tones in this b&w portrait!!

He was a great subject. Most of the folks in period dress wandering around Tombstone, AZ between the gunfight shows are more than willing to pose for you.

I thought it would be very hokie there, and it was, and I had a great time...

Great skin details, the depth is really nice... I would have liked a bit more bokeh for my taste, but that's just me... since the "SADDLES" sign fits the character.

I agree Oliver. I thought about blurring the background to simulate bokeh, but that never really works so I settled for a bit of vignetting.

He was on his way out of the saloon and on his way to a gunfight but was gracious enough to step out of the harsh sun and under the store awning. I just shot with how the camera was set at the time (f/8), not wanting to push my luck. Maybe next time...

Terrific portrait. I really like the crispness of the details, and the contemplative expression.

I like this close up, it's so directly.

I've always liked this one on your site. Makes me wanna giggle! Of course the eyes captivate you the most as well as the negative space to the right and the placement of the child. If it would have been in focus it could have been more effective, but kids are hard to photograph especially when making funny faces!

Really like it. Just wish the boy on the left was full face in frame.

One of my favorites so far in this topic...great enthusiasm and happiness.

shows some great emotion here. and the colors are wonderful -- the woman just pops against the background.