In that last one, were you *deliberately* focusing on their hands? If not, it seems less likely that someday you'll learn, since the problem might not actually be knowledge :-(.

At this size the faces look like they're within DOF to me, but maybe not really. You could blur the hands just very slightly so the fact that they're even sharper doesn't distract attention....

And the first one, your keeper, is of course very nice.

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It was a 105mm lens shot at either f/4 or f/2.4 (my records aren't clear).

Blurring the hands to match the focus on the faces is a good idea. Thanks!

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I know *way* too much about rescue work :-(. Hours of my life I'll never get back, mostly spent turning bad pictures into mediocre pictures.

It *is* handy sometimes, though, when one of the techniques can be applied to something that *isn't* a bad picture to begin with.

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Instead of trying to change, or hide the hands being the focus of the shot, perhaps time is better spent figuring out why it was shot that way. The shutter was not tripped by accident at that time, even if you don't know exactly why you did it. There is always a reason why we do what we do.

It is a superb photograph, saying far more about the two people and their relationship than either of the others. Everything is relaxing behind those strong hands and forearms.
The first picture is pretty.
The last is powerful.

Neil Lukas

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The aspect of the first that I like best is the shared eye contact. The k'nex background is a lovely place-anchor, and also does interesting things in the light. It makes the photo much more interesting than it would be if taken on my sofa.

The weirdest part about the hands in focus shot is the difference -- the contrast -- between Glenn's left hand and his right. One pale and smooth, the other reddened and wrinkled or scarred. It extends up into his arms, too. The angles make his left arm look much more muscular than his right.

Then there's the fact that it looks like he's discreetly flipping you the bird.

Portraiture is hard. The more people in the frame, the harder it gets.

All of that said, I'm really happy to see all three of these photos, and your reasoning behind the outtakes.

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Those are veins, not wrinkles or scars, and the two hands look the same in person. Glenn would always be discreet in flipping Luke the bird.

What I like about Luke as a photographer when he's taking my picture (as opposed to Luke as a photographer when I'm looking at pictures he's taken) is that he doesn't make a big deal about pressing the shutter. It gets pressed at some point, that's all, and the conversation goes on without interruption.

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Yep; Glenn's like that. :-)

Thanks for the info on Luke's working style. That's a talent!

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I think some of the difference between the Glenn's arms that you see is the color shift between direct light from the window (on his right arm) and ambient light from the room (on his left). I hadn't noticed the "discreet flipping of the bird" before, and find it amusing now. Hah!

Portraiture is something I'm drawn to but find daunting. I've wanted to take pictures of Kate and Glenn on that couch since I first got interested in photography.

I think it's very hard to capture someone with a camera and not get "camera face", the mask that people put on when they know their picture is being taken. That's what I tried to avoid here. (okay, while reading this I've read Kate's comment, and now I'm blushing. *blush*)

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Lighting making the difference makes a lot of sense, and, yes, seems the most likely cause, especially now that Kate confirms the two hands look the same in person. The prominent vein on his left hand is most likely due to the angle and the difference in the position of his hands.

Yes, it is difficult to capture people rather than their "camera face" masks. I admire the heck out of photographers who can do it well. You seem to have a natural feel for it when you're doing photo-journalism work; I look forward to seeing your sensibilities continue to develop as you continue working with portraiture.

Hey, you earned that egoboo from Kate fair and square. Enjoy it!

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alces2 sent me the link to these photos. Well done! Even with the blurring, my favorite is that laughing shot. I can _hear_ that photo.

What you term "camera face" was called a "Senior Picture smile" back in the day. And, yes, that's meant to imply muscle rehearsal in front of a mirror.

-P

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Thanks for dropping by! I like "Senior Picture Smile" as well.

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Sad to say that the nature of the background hadn't really registered as anything other than a regular, angular pattern, maybe curtains or something. I hadn't noticed that it was K'nex -- and I've been to more than one Potlatch with K'nex'd con suite.

Nice photos, all, actually.

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These are really fun to look at. Thanks, Luke.

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I'm glad you like them. Thanks!

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The first one certainly says twice as much as the other two. A lovely shot, and such gorgeous lighting!

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Thank you, sir.

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You really captured Kate and Glenn, especially in the first one.

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Thank you!

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Ooo. This project is going to be great! I love these.

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Thanks! I'm looking forward to photographing you, as well.

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