Soft focus portrait

**Zenbohemian** · 10-10-2014, 12:44 AM

When taking portraits earlier this year, the light got really low and my vision started to go (it's not strong at the best of times) yet I didn't want to stop taking photos so I intentionally soft focused a few shots.

I do like the effect, to be honest, but I'm not sure this photo works. I like minimalism but I think this might be too dull. Ideally, I'd like the figure to be to the left side, not the right, but I think I'm okay with that part.

So my questions to you are: is this too dull? Is the composition too weak?

Any and all comments are welcome, related to my question or not.

Thanks!

Name: _DSC0703PS_sm2.jpg
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Name: _DSC0703PS_sm2.jpg
Views: 422
Size: 269.5 KB

**theantiquetiger** · 10-10-2014, 01:07 AM

To me, it is pretty darn strong, I love it!!!

Only thing I may try, since it is completely not following the focus rule, don't follow the composition rule. I would make it a square crop, cutting off the left side at the chair (putting him center frame). The hard corner of the chair is drawing my eyes to it, away from him.

I am about 50/50 whether it needs lightened just a tad (especially in his beard and hair)

**Zenbohemian** · 10-10-2014, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by theantiquetiger

Only thing I may try, since it is completely not following the focus rule, don't follow the composition rule. I would make it a square crop, cutting off the left side at the chair (putting him center frame). The hard corner of the chair is drawing my eyes to it, away from him.

Thanks so much for your input! And the compliment is always nice to get, too.

I've tried cropping it square but it seems unbalanced to me, though admittedly it may still be stronger than what I posted.

What about burning/gradient the left side so that the edge of the chair blends seamlessly into a darkened background? I'm thinking that there needs to be something to balance the busier right side, and a large, dark area might help. It would stop your eye from wandering off from him, I think.

When I'm back from Thanksgiving weekend perhaps I'll try that and post to get your opinion.