Guess who's playing with his new 580 EX II flash ....

[Donald]

Donald - try taking the paper off the razor blades next time you shave.

I thought it contributed to that hunky, masculine, 'I could fall into his arms' look that a discerning and, obviously, very classy group of females on here find they just can't resist ..... and I can understand why.

ps - signed prints are available from ............

[Donald]

If you want to let me have the RAW I have a Dragan plugin....

Here's the RAW file. Thought I'd put it here because if anyone else wants to have a go with it and see what you make of it, you're very welcome to do so. It's quite an interesting PP challenge. Would be fun to see what others might come up with.

[rob marshall]

Here's the RAW file. Thought I'd put it here because if anyone else wants to have a go with it and see what you make of it, you're very welcome to do so. It's quite an interesting PP challenge. Would be fun to see what others might come up with.

Thanks, Donald. I'll let you see the Dragan version first before I post it. Sometimes they don't look too flattering.

[Donald]

Thanks, Donald. I'll let you see the Dragan version first before I post it. Sometimes they don't look too flattering.

Listen mate, with those looks it would have to be pretty awful to make what's there already on the original, any worse. As we say up here, 'I ain't no oil painting'. So, just go for it.

[Jim B.]

Donald,

Very nice photo.I'm halfway through Syl's book (great read) and would like to attempt something on the lines of your shot,but haven't come across any info on how to light my second chin.

[Donald]

but haven't come across any info on how to light my second chin.

Grow a beard Jim. That was my solution.

[Katy Noelle]

I was dreaming (yes, don't laugh. This is really getting a grip of me) of the discussion Rob initiated here about the work of Andrzej Dragan

Wow! Talk about moody and macabre. I was trying to think of what it reminded me of. At first (bizzarely enough), I thought that it was a children's book author but, then, I realized.....the Haunted Mansion at Disney (with a twist of Tim Burton).....sort of.

Donald,.....are you sure you want one of those caricatures??? You seem more.... cuddly or stoic or, yes, like Camellia said, "sea captainy" (must be the mod thing) or something like that, anyway.

[rob marshall]

Donald

Thanks for the RAW, and your permission to post these. I asked first because quite often Draganized shots come out looking very, very gritty and contrasty. It's not to everyone's liking. I think yours have turned out very well though (I tried hard to restrain myself)

If anyone wants the Dragan Photoshop Action (it's excellent) you can get it here (#25 on the list) It's free!. Created by Sharon Lee Core. http://www.atncentral.com/download.htm You can Draganize any type of shot, but the best results come from portraits of men, especially bearded ones (note the beard detail below compared to the original), with lot's of line detail. It also works well with dereliction shots and certain still life subjects (gives a nice textured gritty look).

Donald - I'll PM you the full PSDs - they are just uploading now.

[Donald]

Brilliant Rob. thank you for taking the time to do this.

I think that maybe there's a need for a poll to decide whether we've now reached the stage at which plastic surgery is an absolute necessity! Or do we not bother wasting the money on trying to save the good looks and just go for the new lens instead?

[Donald]

Poll added. Go to top of thread.

[rob marshall]

Poll added. Go to top of thread.

Thanks, Sir Alan...


BTW - you're fired!

[hoffstriker]

Def. plastic surgery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rob marshall]

Def. plastic surgery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And how did Rufus vote?

[Wirefox]

I can see you as captain of a sailing ship a la Hornblower

Captain Pugwash more like

Thanks, Sir Alan...

That is uncanny ....I didn't know GIMP worked on an Amstrad computer. It certainly explains the pregnant pause between the posting of your landscapes.

I think you are very brave Donald and it is most useful having a head you can wear either way up. Get some haggis entangled in your chin pubes...no problem just turn your head upside down....none the wiser.....problem solved.

Blatant character assassination aside I do like the lighting of this shot. It gives a certain strength to the features. My first thought was actually 'Roman Emperor' but I could not say that at the outset. That would be letting you off way too lightly

[Donald]

And how did Rufus vote?

Sorry, Rufus has a no-disclosure clause in his Moderator Assistant contract. Anyway, he would never be so indiscrete as to reveal his views.

[Donald]

I think you are very brave Donald and it is most useful having a head you can wear either way up.

It's always nice to start the weekend with tears of laughter streaming down your face. You, sir, are a tonic. Just as well I don't have an ego to defend!

[Wirefox]

It's always nice to start the weekend with tears of laughter streaming down your face. You, sir, are a tonic. Just as well I don't have an ego to defend!

Donald, I would not have mentioned it if I did not have one myself. As I get older I can just about get away with wearing it sideways too Note to self....must recharge the ear hair trimmer. Be honest now which of you men did not get a ear and nasal hair trimmer from their loved one on their 45th birthday. WireVixen bought me a petrol garden strimmer but she refuses to let me use it in the bathroom. This is most inconvenient in the winter months so I go for the Yoda look.

[revi]

Hmm, those poll results seem biased, must be the company...

[Suzanne]

I'm far too modest to comment. But ....... yes, I know what you mean!

Anyway, to be serious.

I was dreaming (yes, don't laugh. This is really getting a grip of me) of the discussion Rob initiated here about the work of Andrzej Dragan.

So, I thought I'd give it a go.



Still a lot to do on refining techniques.

How very Boris Karloff. You are a man of many faces, Donald. Now it looks like something from one of those fantistic B movies from the 50's. I also agree with the ships captain.

(Oh and by the way, I really like this photo and kinda love the dramatic lighting. Not sure about green though. )

[Donald]

(Oh and by the way, I really like this photo and kinda love the dramatic lighting. Not sure about green though.

Thanks Suzanne. It's fun learning how to use a flashgun.

About the green - there are two problems here:

1. The GIMP process for 'draganizing' (there's no plug-in like there is for Photoshop) described in the thread I referred to above in post #18 seems to provide quite a high risk of that happening (and I'm sure I'm not applying it strictly correctly) and,
2. Being colour-blind on the red-green spectrum means that with a process like this, you think you've created a nice effect until your loved-one comes home, looks at it and says, "That's green".

Maybe I'm best staying away from draganizing.