Country..... and Western....

Went to a country music festival today, so many great characters. I loved this guy's tough looking expression and cool look. For those of you in the US and perhaps Australia this guy may not look out of place, but where I live, British suburbia, dressed like this and with such a face,he's different!

I took a couple of candid portraits I liked but couldn't decide on which was actually the stronger of the two, any opinions would be welcome, here is a link to the other one if you have time....

" http://365project.org/streats/alternatives/2013-08-11"

[Kate]

Great shot....and wish I was there!

[Celi]

He looks scary . . . like he might punch you for taking his photo! i like how the hat shades his sunglasses. fabulous capture!

[Scott]

Now that is a weathered face. Great capture!

[Shepherdman's Wife]

Looks like he's seen too much sunshine in his lifetime! LOL

[Derek Vickers]

Great portrait Ian. Lots of character in that face. Like the mono processing. I wonder what it would look like in sepia?

[Trudi]

Awesome candid portrait!

[ZambianLass]

Great shot well done. His face is full of character

[Andrea]

I like the b&w photo. Rugged and weathered I would say

[Paula W]

Ok I definitely prefer this one overall as he looks more mean and genuine somehow. The other guy has a great face but looks more like someone who has dressed up for the occasion as opposed to this guy who looks as though he dresses like this every day!

[Glenn Mostert]

Great shot Ian!

[Sue]

He has a fabulous face! Great portrait!

[Kazzy]

He's a tough cattle baron (badge on his hat lol). On the coast of Australia, I don't see any like him! Excellent portrait!

[Joey]

Great portrait Ian, he reminds me of Lucky Luke!! :-)

[Babs]

Of the two I think I prefer this one. He looks a great character. You are right he wouldn't look out of place in Australia, we get all sorts here!!! I could see that he would be a bit unusual in the UK though.

[KWind]

I like this one best! Great portrait. I like your focus better and the b&w tones. He looks like a real character!!

[Jocasta]

I think this one looks more out of place in British suburbia - fantastic portrait.

[Allison]

Amazing candid......I love the focus, and the b&w! I wouldn't like to get on the wrong side of him! :-)

[Chippy Minton]

Wow, that is a face with real character .... great capture

[Ivan]

Nicely taken, good in mono.

[Frank Hymus]

Nicely done, and beautifully sharp showing off the face nicely. I'd have liked just a little more light on the top of the head, but then, that's me. The B/W conversion is done very nicely.

[Ian]

@islandk8 thanks Kate!

[Ian]

@mchartwig thanks Celi, he does have quite an expression, it's true.

[Ian]

@sbolden such interesting features, thanks Scott

[Ian]

@shepherdmanswife haha, yes, very true, as Scott said, quite weathered!

[Ian]

@truedee @zambianlass thanks TrueDee, thanks Nicky :)

[Ian]

@andreajoy very much so, thanks Andrea.

[Ian]

@paulaw thank you Paula, your opinion is always so insightful and very much appreciated. I ended up preferring this one today too. You're right, this guy looks like he lives and breathes country.

[Ian]

@gmost thanks Glenn
@redpants thanks Sue, I agree, fabulous features

[Ian]

@kazlamont haha, is that what the logo means ! Thanks Kazzy.

[Ian]

@joeyc thanks Joey, yes that's true, haha, lucky Luke !

[Ian]

@onewing thanks Babs, I also ended up liking this one more today.

[Ian]

@kwind thanks ! :) and thank you for taking the time to look at both.

[Ian]

@jocasta very un British suburbia! Thanks Jocasta:)

[Ian]

@allisonraposa thanks Allison, yes, very true, he has some expression!

[Ian]

@ch1ppy_m1nton thanks Chippy, so many characters at the festival but he was one of the most authentic looking cowboys

[Ian]

@ivan thanks Ivan

[Ian]

@frankhymus thanks for taking a look Frank and for your comments, I will try your suggestions, any critique like this is very much appreciated.

[Jawo]

So good in b&w... its like a shot from a movie scene...

[Camila]

Cool! Nice personality.

[Cathie]

Ha. Good catch, Ian. Looks like a real cowboy.

[Mae]

Great candid, I like this one the best but I am very partial to B&w myself. The other has a completely different feel and this man is more striking and stern. The other a bit comical.

[Andrea]

@frankhymus excuse my ignorance...what would that have done for the photo. I'm intrigued. Being an absolute novice what would you be looking for to decide that?

[Chrissie]

Awesome portrait...I think he's the real deal! :)

[Vijay]

for a minute I thought you got Tommy Lee Jones :-) .. i wouldnt mess with him ... awesome pic!!

[Elaine]

Fabulous candid portrait Ian, love the black and white.

[Sharon Simpson]

Looks like the real thing and I'm from both, US and Australia. Great portrait!

[GiGi]

Totally adore faces with meaning, this is perfect

[Joy's Focus]

Love country music and cowboys! Great shot!

[Kd Wallis]

I like this shot better. The expression you have captured seems to really suit what he is wearing and making him look more in character. A nice clarity to the shot too. He looks like he could be found in an old western movie....a sheriff running the town :) I like it :)