Leaflet pic

Photographers Comments
Ok you can be as cheeky as you like AFTER you have given me some serious crits.
I am doing a new leaflet to push my commercial work. Its only a 6pp DL but it has to look professional and yet have a relaxed feel. The designer has asked for me to pop a pic of myself on it for the last page. Its not going to be big but it will still be visible!!
Is this too cheesey/tacky? any suggestions for pose, clothing...anything that you might feel could help. Be as honest as you like..
Is the signature too much? in the right place? the right font? Or again ...a bit tacky.
Cheers guys.
Tco




Serious Critique Required: The photographer has requested he/she would like a more serious level of critique for this image to obtain more constructive critiscism from other members. Please make sure the comments you leave are indeed constructive and aim to help the photographer see the image from a different perspective and/or provide help and guidance to how the image can be improved.

Hi TCO.
I like the idea as it is always good to use your image when promoting yourself as a photographer - part of the rapport thing which will put your clients at ease. I would suggest trying to whiten out the background as that will make you jump out a bit and give it a more high key look. Best way to do this is use the dodge tool with a softish brush at 100% highlight. Your name would look better with a slightly stronger, thicker font (can you tell I am a graphic designer too,) up in the top left - good expression and pose, I think that works well. Oh one more thing - you could change the word Canon to Nikon (only kidding!)

Good luck and I hope that is helpful.
all the best,
Newbloke

Thanks buddy for the advice.
Most of my pics have a really white background, I light it a stop higher than my main lights and I was trying to get away from that for my own pic. My wife said the same as you...to go for the clean white but I thought I would go with the grey softer look. Maybe I was wrong (another reason for posting it). Cheers for the font comment, i'll have another go. I have tens of thousands of bloody fonts...why I don't know?!
I too yield from the print/design world. Still using quark but on occasion indesign.
As for changing to Nikon? mmmmmmmmmm See Andy Nrs alias donkey boy for my response mate. I love the way they handle but i'm Canon through and through

Cheers and welcome to the site.

Good luck, the nikon/canon thing is just a bit of fun, too be honest they are as good as each other - tools for the trade - it is what you do with them that matters eh?
I take it donkey boy is a new nick name, we call him Half pint in this neck of the woods due to his inability to handle his ale, top bloke though and one of my best mates. not a bad photographer either, but don't tell him I said that. keep in touch bud! Andy

Hi Andy,
I like this as it is. Maybe I would have made the font size a size bigger, to get your name across, especially if the image is going to be reduced to fit on the page, and fit it on a plain section of the image so it stands out more. For some strange reason the font "Verdana" has been scientifically proven to be the most successful in advertising, which is why it is so commonly used in advertising campaigns. Hope his helps.

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Regards....Phil

If it moves shoot it. If it doesn't move, still shoot it.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

thats my serious crit.....

Nice image mate. logo is a bit wishy washy, no real impact and def wrong font i would say. if its commercial clients you want, your logo needs to be short, sharp and straight to the point. the shot is good, crop is good, expression abit girly but not offensive (LOL) lighting is very good. not sure about the hand. i think just a slight change in facial expression, the logo and this impress just about anyone..even me..and i wouldnt laugh..
and yes my secret is out, i am known as half pint...

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Canon Forever

1Dmk2,10D, 20mm,28-70mm,200mm, Elinchrom3000,1500,600's,500's, Multiblitz200,Bronica SQb, expensive Manfrotto tripod

Oh bugger!
I never noticed the hand. How poofy does that look? gadzoiks!!!!
I'm scrapping this one completely now.
Cheers for that half pint (pmsl)You see how my forearm is as thick as your leg....me full pint mate

Phil cheers for the verdana pointer bud. i'll sling it in on the next shot.

Not that I'm any expert in trying to promote a business but reading the comments above and then looking at your image again, I also think that a bright white background would be more suited and differently do something with that arm. plus your text needs to be more stronger.

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Nikon User
Beacon Images

Hi yet another Andrew.........nice to see a smile at last I agree about the slight change in facial expression that Andy (half pint) mentioned, less of the Puppy dog look.....cute as that is lol. Perhaps you could lose the spot light and crop in further, that way you will be using more of the small available space and the camera says it all! It definately needs a bolder font to balance out the rest of the black in the image.

Just my rambling thoughts.
Diane

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"Carpe Diem"........Life is too short to dance with ugly men

Poor bloke is going to need therapy after this..... Can I also suggest if you are going to reshoot this, that you go with even lighting - the shadow thing can look a bit sinister - when you are trying to attract portrait clients especially a good, clear, honest look is important - so white background, even lighting, confident pose and try and get someone else to take it instead of the self timer (am I right?) - get them to cajoule a natural look out of you. . ...I think old half pint is going to regret me being introduced on here now his nickname is out!!