Bruce Goodman
September 2020 - my Butcher, Iceland
About the Image(s)
I liked a photo that I took of this man in July 2018 so much, that on another trip the following winter I stopped in his shop and asked if I could photograph him again. I gave him a gift of a framed print of the July photo. He was quite pleased.
I wonder whether the hanging items directly behind him are a distraction or if they help tell the story of what he does for a living? I have tried using content-aware to remove the hanging meat and hook behind his head and over his left shoulder but have never been successful in getting it right.
Questions for the group..... 1) leave it as is? 2) use photoshop to clean it up (but need some help/advice here)?
Olympus OMD EM1-II; 40mm (80mm equivalent full frame); 1/80; f 2.8; ISO 1000; aperture priority
This round’s discussion is now closed!
10 comments posted
Bruce, good portrait of the butcher in his environment showing his merchandise and tools of the trade. It is sharp, it is a little dark in the front, therefore there is no separation between his dark beard and his dark clothing. Indeed the ham and hook behind him are very distracting and take away him standing out. Answering your inquire, content aware is not the right tool in this case. You do a selection of him and then invert the selection and with the cloning brush using a low setting you clone out. I did a second selection of his beard except his mouth and open skin, and added some light to separate his beard from the clothing. Finally, reduced the brightness of the other ham. Now he is in the center with no distractions and there is equilibrium with the rest of the items on the wall. Posted: 09/07/2020 21:20:11
Thank you! Your feedback and help in how to make this a better image is exactly why I joined the PSA Digital groups. Now I have to give it try on my original image (new skills to learn). B Posted: 09/10/2020 17:58:30
Bruce… the clean up version makes for a more interesting image with no distractions. I like the environmental portrait of the butcher and the honest expression in his face. His eyes are placed on the thirds. I don't know if you have a version where you included the arms in the bottom of the photo? Posted: 09/13/2020 06:23:48
Thank you. I really learned a lot more about PS this week! Here's another version. Not sure which works better (with the meat or without?). B Posted: 09/13/2020 18:05:19
Bruce...I would keep the background leg of meat (the one to camera right) - it serves to balance the composition and the added touch of yellow against the blue are complementary colors which also ties with the clothing. Lovely shadows adding dimension. Posted: 09/14/2020 02:47:43
Bruce, I like that the photo is sharp and clear. I am a little jealous of his beard. I do like the photo better without the meat hanging behind him but with the meat hanging to the right of him. Maybe, next time have him hold one of his tools. It looked like he enjoyed posing which adds to the emotion of the photo. Posted: 09/14/2020 02:52:06
The image is more pleasant without the hook above his head, the ham on right really balances the image and in addition it is an important element in the idea of environmental portrait. Connection between the three elements butcher, tool and ham are a successful trio in this photo Posted: 09/20/2020 07:42:38
Funny picture with a meat hook in the head ... Isaac's version is of course much better. A successful portrait of a proud butcher Posted: 09/25/2020 02:12:52
Nice portrait with harmonious colors. The smile of the man gave a photo so much credit and made it a pleasure to watch. The lighting there is great and made a warm atmosphere.
I wish one day to visit Iceland. Posted: 09/26/2020 04:56:57
I wish one day to visit Iceland. Posted: 09/26/2020 04:56:57
(Group 32)
Randy's suggestion for another shot of your butcher holding one of his tools would both show the artifacts of his trade in use, but also show his hands--both good ideas for shooting trade-people. For example, see Group 53 this month, Dan Devries's image of a chef. Posted: 09/30/2020 12:58:46