50 mono portraits at 50mm : No. 26 : Phil Howcroft

As I turn the half way point in my 50 mono portraits project, it's time for me to make an appearance.

I was going to be number 50, but that seems a bit self indulgent, so I make it in at number 26 !

I don't know if it counts as a 'selfie' as I didn't take the picture. It was took by Keith Hucknall, one of my fellow Arnold and District Camera Club members.

He gave me the 'Canon Raw' file(s) and I post processed the image in 'Raw Therapee' (an open source editor) and then added some finishing touches in GIMP.

My post processing was auto levels in Raw Therapee and then pressed a slider to bring the skin tones out and fiddled with the EV compensation slider. I then sent the image to GIMP, added a G'MIC Agfa monochrome film filter, adjusteed the contrast, boosted the brightness and added a tad bit of sharpening. It all sounds very complicated, but took me all of 10 mins to edit.

What can I tell you about Phil Howcroft. Well you should all know about me by now. 3+ years on 365, Bolton Wanderers Supporter, owner of a whippet rescue dog, keen amatuer photogrpaher, work in IT, going a bit grey, have a nice smile, spend far too much time faffing around with my photos on 365, Flickr and now dipping my toes into google+ photo sharing ! Oh and secretary of Arnold and District Camera Club. Keen gardener too !

[Judith Greenwood]

Wahey!! But you didn't have to do what I do to 'selfies' - airbrush heavily!

[Kerri]

Great portrait

[Phil Howcroft]

@judithg thanks judith, it's a bit grainy, i didn't realise my hair was so grey until i look at pictures of me !!

[Pat Knowles]

Well hello Phil Howcroft, nice to meet you! A nice smile indeed & all your own hair, good family man, a past taker of photos on the number 48 bus & a good constant commenter on 365! Great selfie Phil....I like the way you tell us how you edited your photo.

[Maggiemae]

Hi Phil! Nice to meet you! I love your comments and the varying photos that you post. Did Keith make you laugh for this nicely candid picture!

[Phil Howcroft]

@maggiemae many thanks maggie , i always smile maggie , no need for keith to make me do so :)

[Phil Howcroft]

@happypat thank pat, oh yes i forgot about my photo skills from the top deck of the bus :)

[Phil Howcroft]

@kerristephens cheers kerri :)

[peter/zipp]

Whahay! Crackin smile fella.

[Phil Howcroft]

@sleepdozer57 cheers peter :)

[Sue Wilde]

Hi Phil, Did you run out of victims? Cool shot

[Cathy Donohoue]

You do have a great smile.
And you are a fine man and good to know with I think a great sense of humor.

[Gena Pegg]

Hello Phil! So good to see such a great portrait of you!! I couldn't begin to understand what you do....but you do it so well. I've just discovered ..with the help of 365 friend that i have "red eye" feature on my camera. So next time I will try using that when using my flash. I think I'll practice on Charlie..haha!!
You do have a lovely smile and kind and helpful spirit..which shows in your photography as well as your posts and comments. Enjoying your portraits in mono as well.

[Dione Giorgio]

You forgot to mention that you have a happy face, Phil. Love your great smile. A great portrait capture and cool processing (even though it was all Chinese to me)

[Al Bailey]

Very nice portrait :)

[Sue]

Very nice portrait Phil ... one very busy man by the sounds of it. :p

[Alison Hewitt Bailey]

Hi, Phil! Love the happy smile that goes all the way up to those fab bright eyes!

[Phil Howcroft]

@dulciknit Thank you very much for your kind words Alison

@redpants Always busy Sue :)

@sangwann thanks Dione, my descrition of my post processing sounds more dificult than it actually is !

@eyesmile Thank you Gena, your words are very kind :)

@cdonohoue ooooh thanks very much catherine :)

@willowdragon many thanks Al

@swilde I am indeed running out of 'victims' Sue :)

[Lee]

Good selfie.....Er, pose that is. ;)