Portrait madness

[Andrea]

I've been off work this afternoon as I have been feeling a little under the weather. Not so bad as I couldn't scan a neg or two but bad enough to not feel like flying round the velodrome on a derny-pacing motorbike thing while a load of sweaty but fit cyclists followed behind!
Anyway, I have been having a go at a couple more portrait thingies and would welcome your critiques on this one
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30505166@N00/61637317/

and this one
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30505166@N00/61640316/
and these two please  :?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30505166@N00/61637316/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30505166@N00/61534744/

Many thanks. I do aprecitate it when I get feedback from all here.
Do fire away!!!

A

[TPPhotog]

Really nice portraits. For me the first 3 are the strongest as the objects related to them forming part of the composition adds interest and makes my mind work. In the fourth one I think if the broom was against the wall behind her it would have been stronger.

[connealy]

All nice.  Hope you are printing these and showing them around.
I like the fellow at the train station.  The "teeth" at the top provide just the right touch to make it graphically interesting and a little humorous.
Simon's bolt cutter seems a bit ominous for bicycle enthusiasts.

[Rockford]

I think the 2nd and 3rd are beyond constructive criticism.  Wow!  I don't like the square format as well with the 1st or 4th and would suggest standard 8x10 crops. That would make them much stronger IMHO.  I think that Kowa was made for you.

[xenotar28]

Andrea,

Stick to Rodinal and Classic Pan. You extract great tones and sharpness from it. I like The first three photos very much, though the old train man is my fav. Simon comes second (looks like a good pal to have around in a pub fight) :lol: The first photo would have been stronger if he hadn't looked at the camera, but the overall is excellent. I don't care for the T-Max and Rodinal. It doesn't show the richness you get from Classic Pan. You are persuading me to try it out for myself. You have an affinity with Rodinal that I envy. Reminds me of the work I saw at a Photography Academy in Munich. Some of the results were from  dilutions of up to 1:200. Keep up the good work Ms. Environmental Portraitist. :wink:

Xen

P.S. Feel better

[Ronald Bishop]

Andrea, my interest went to the 'GI Joe ' photo. It had to have been taken before the Normandy Invasion. He was  Captain in the 101st Airborne Division.Part of the 101st jumped into Bastogne and held out till Patton broke through. My brother is still there. BTW- I spent some time in his old outfit, only at Ft.Campbell KY.
   Could you give me any info on when & where it was taken?

[Andrea]

Sorry to dissappoint you Ronald but i took this about 3months ago in the next village from where I live near Manchester. He wasn't American either butpart of a reenactment group. They had a whole 'Yanks' W/e with a camp complete with German's and resistance. HAvea look here for some badscans of some photos; http://www.boxesandbellows.co.uk/indexsaddleworth.html