Ken

[Robert Brummitt]

This is a portrait I did of my friend Ken.
I thought instead of a straight B&W I thought I do the HDR and post effects.

[RSL]

Very nice, Robert. It's a good example of using HDR with restraint -- the way HDR ought to be used. Bravo!

[Kirk Gittings]

Very nice, Robert. It's a good example of using HDR with restraint -- the way HDR ought to be used. Bravo!

Agreed except for the halo around the head which needs some more work.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

I agree with Russ.
As for the halo, perhaps Ken is just a really angelic kind of guy. 

[Steve Weldon]

I very much like the subject (strong character) and the way you have the background positioned.  I'm being picky here, but the background is too much in focus/sharp creating strong detail which competes with the main subject.  It shouldn't, a softer background but not enough so you can't tell what it is will allow the eye to instantly find and focus on the subject.  This would be my goal.  And.. I'm of an entirely different mind where HDR is concerned.

If you can tell it's got an "HDR effect" or was HDR processed then I personally consider the processing if not the resulting image a failure.  Some people like "effects" but I'd rather not.

HDR generally should only be used when the dynamic range of the scene exceeds the dynamic range of the camera capturing the scene.  Was this the case?  Or did you just want to change the level of the subject or background?  If so, there are better ways.

[Robert Brummitt]

Thank you for all your comments.
Ken is a very gentle person. He was kind enough to sit for me when he rather sit and figure his football games.
The use of HDR helped bring out the details in to background that the color version did not. I liked the movement of the water.
Thank you again.
I really appreciate it.
RB

[Steve Weldon]

I like this last version much better.  If color wasn't to my taste I'd convert to b&w probably using NIK.

Maybe because the size is small, but the eyes aren't pulling me in.  They almost seem in the background.  He squints a lot, but still if sharper they should stand out more.