Emil Davidzuk
January 2025 - Ed in his Shop
Original
About the Image(s)
I completed an on-line BW workshop this fall. Each class came with an assignment and lo and behold on week 5 we had to do portraits. A genre I don’t really do outside of family photos. I called my friend Ed and he agreed to be my subject. The hard part when it is a required outcome ??“ keeping things natural.
Workflow: I used NIK Silver Efex and the Detail Extractor. I then went to LR Classic used the masking tools to dodge the background so my subject would stand out. I also blurred the window to tone it down.
Camera: Olympus E-M1 MKII, 12-100mm f4 at 31mm, 1/30 sec f6.3 -.3EV ISO 2500
4 comments posted
Mandy Vien
Emil, this is a perfect BW conversion. All distractions were eliminated. The studio lighting effect on Ed brings all attention to his face.
Posted: 01/02/2025 05:36:35
Posted: 01/02/2025 05:36:35
To me, a significant part of photography's artistry is created in post-processing. Emil, your work consistently enforces this view; this month's image is an example. The original color image seems to be a documentary; however, after your conversion, it's become a fascinating monochrome that captures the essence of Ed as he works with the scroll saw.
I thought it would be interesting to show a bit more detail in Ed's coat and head while slightly reducing the brightness on the front of his face. What do you think?
Posted: 01/08/2025 23:32:36
I thought it would be interesting to show a bit more detail in Ed's coat and head while slightly reducing the brightness on the front of his face. What do you think?
Posted: 01/08/2025 23:32:36
Michael Laezza
Emil - as per Ansel Adams you "made the picture " with your effective post processing techniques. It is remarkable the amount of distractions you were able to eliminate and the focus you were able to bring to Ed's face and hands .
I became curious about what Ed is doing in the B&W image - I did a square crop to focus more on Ed and lightened the tool that he is using to reflect the title - Ed in his workshop Posted: 01/13/2025 18:44:23
I became curious about what Ed is doing in the B&W image - I did a square crop to focus more on Ed and lightened the tool that he is using to reflect the title - Ed in his workshop Posted: 01/13/2025 18:44:23
Hi Emil, a very nice portrait: congratulations how you mastered the challenge.
I took your elimination of the background a step further and removed the window, which I found distracting. I then found the square format a better fit.
Posted: 01/14/2025 15:19:37
I took your elimination of the background a step further and removed the window, which I found distracting. I then found the square format a better fit.
Posted: 01/14/2025 15:19:37