The photo was taken in an alley as part of a special weekend event sponsored by a camera store. The motorcyclist was a model who was posing outside in a shaded alleyway. The photo was taken handheld with a Sony RX10M4 at 26mm (72mm 35mm equivalent), in aperture priority, at 1/80 sec, at f5.6, IS) 800, multi-segment metering and -0.3 EV. The model was standing against a fence with a black cloth draped behind the model. Originally, taken in color, the photo was converted to monochrome in Luminar Neo. Various adjustments were made in Luminar Neo including noise reduction and sharpening filters were applied as well as adjustment to highlights and shadows. The image was also processed in Adobe Photoshop Elements using the NIK collection Silver Effects filter with local adjustment points used to selectively to bring out details in the dark clothing and skin tones.
This round’s discussion is now closed! 6 comments posted
Mark Holbrook
Mark,
Beautiful shot! Really sets a mood of a motorcycle tough guy. The tattoos, rings, the patches on his vest, the veins in his arms, all of it right down to the stitching in his vest is crystal clear. It deserves to be hung in a badass biker bar.
Nice catch! Posted: 03/10/2025 16:33:53
Barbara Asacker
Hi Mark,
Great portrait of this tough looking guy. His outfit and expression tell the story. You captured sharp details throughout. Nice lighting. Well done. Posted: 03/10/2025 18:17:47
Peter Elliston
Mark, a really good portrait of a an interesting character you probably wouldn't want to mess with! Plenty of pin-sharp detail. I might suggest just a slight bit of work on the eyes to lighten them slightly. I enjoyed this. Posted: 03/12/2025 09:23:01
Maude Svensson
This man's gaze says it all. I am now confronted with a man that I do not know if I would like to meet alone in a dark alley. At the same time as he really looks dangerous, he is also beautiful, creating a tension that is exaggerated also by the asymmetric composition. The completely black background in combination with cinematic spotlight effects brings successfully forward features such as the man's weathered facial details, his awkward gaze and his veiny workingman hands. At the same time, you also manage to bring forward sharp textures in his clothes with its imaginative patches, his tattoos, his fancy watch, and his many rings. I truly love the picture and the post-processing you have done. Posted: 03/14/2025 17:24:02
Robin Mellor
Your excellent processing has brought out all the detail beautifully. The slight suggestion of a smokey background fits with the biker dive ethos. Good work. Posted: 03/20/2025 18:43:58
Kathleen McCrary
Mark--I love portaiture; this man has such an interesting face! The hands and arm are spectacular. The details of the watch and vest are terrific. I love your choice to isolate him (beautifully lit) against the black background. The attitude of his head really jazzes things up. Just a wonderful image; I looked at it for quite a while. Posted: 03/28/2025 16:23:56
