Ever been hustled?
 

I have been completely unproductive during the holiday season. However, I was able to get this image recently.

This was taken with my Mamiya 645 medium format camera with portra 160 film on a tripod. The lighting was provided by the light which hangs over the pool table. It resembles the long blue horizontal shapes in the background. I had someone on the other side of the table twist the light up onto the subject. To my amazement, the light offered no peculiar color addition.

This man is a bit of a legend, he is a pool hustler. For all the years I have known him, and most of the years of his life, that is all that he has ever done. Besides showing him well, I wanted to suggest a sense of what he was about.

I would be interested in any comments, especially regarding a minimum size canvas. Also, any comments on the space that I have given the subject. I have a tendency to crop too tightly.

Face close up...

Hustler
 

Mike, I've been thinking about this photo for a couple of days now. I really like the concept and this man's intimidating appearance. I believe that there is too much space to the right of his body. It detracts from the "arrogant" atmosphere. Also, the pool cue pointed directly under his chin is disturbing. Feels like he'll be poked there any minute. Also, his head looks like its a little too small for his body. Maybe its my old eyes deceiving me but could the angle have created a slight distortion?

I'm normally not this picky, but I find your subject so fascinating that I'm trying hard to see anything that could be improved. This could be awesome.

Jean

Jean,

I agree that some space could be lost on the right (attached). I have a tendency to crop too tightly and I thouht I'd get another opinion.

As far as the size of his head... this man is huge. He is 6'8" and very imposing. The fact that he has very little hair and that the edge of his head is lost to the background may add to this. The photo was taken with a fixed 80mm portrait lens. I would guess the head is very close to accurate.

About the cue stick... it was tough to get it worked into the composition yet I couldn't leave it out. I think I was paying more attention to his hand on the stick than the stick itself.

A few years ago I did a portrait of this man holding a cue ball (whitey he calls it) on the tips of his fingers, the ball looked like a pea sitting on the tips of his fingers.

I love this picture... I like his position, I like the abstract background, I really like the way he is sitting over the edge of the table...I like the way his right hand rests on the table and I love the defiant look in his face.

My only suggestion is that his left arm be away from his body at a slight angle, holding the cue pointed towards the ceiling...

I think this would put more emphasis on the "pool" theme" and take away the distracting line pointed towards his chin...

This is very interesting subject, I hope we get to see the painting!

Do this one
 

I want to see it too!

Jean

I really like this image also and I hope to get to it sometime early this year. But, as the plumber said... I'm becoming more and more backed up.

Mike, I agree that the pool cue pointed at his neck is distracting. I also get the feeling that he is about to get poked with it. Can you rephotograph him with his hand holding the pool cue pointing out to the right a bit?

Otherwise I like the pose, lighting and expression very much.

I would tone down the bright blue areas in the background, though. I would reduce their value and saturation so they don't compete.

I'd love to see this when it's done! Do it life size!

Thank you all for your interest.

I'm not sure I'll have another photo opportunity.

What do you think of this modification...

Much better position for the pool cue.

You'll need to rotate his hand a bit since the angle of the cue has changed. His bottom fingers don't seem to be grasping the cue properly. I once had to change the angle of a golf club -- and the hands. What a pain that was! Also, watch that the cue is straight when you paint it. (I know, this is just a quick Photoshop sketch...)

Here's another less risky option. I just dropped the cue down a few inches.

I think I could do the move and rotate but it would be a last resort for me.

Life size indeed, this guy is six foot eight and not that narrow. I made some approximate calibrations and if you assume an 8" head it looks like you could get this done on a 48" canvas.

How nice if you could do it life size. What an impressive piece that would be. Go for it.

Please post it when you're done, maybe with you standing beside it so we can get a sense of the scale.

I like this option with the pool cue. I'd trim one more inch off the top of it so it doesn't get lost in the edge of his shirt.

This is what I will look like standing next to this painting. I know what you're thinking, this doesn't look like the photo on the left, this looks more like Robert Redford. Different light and background that's all.

Amazing what lighting can do, isn't it?

Cue position
 

Mike, I like your first version better. Angling the cue out, away from his face seems to be more intimidating and consistent with your subject. Shortening the stick just doesn't look "right". It somehow decreases the importance of the hustler image. I would suggest a hand model to get the right placement of the hand, even if it is more difficult.

I played a lot of pool in my crazy youth. A short cue just doesn't hack it.

Jean

Famous Pool Sharks from the Past
 

[King Philip IV of Spain - Velasquez]

Give me a few days, Mike, and I can come up with some more.

Best regards, Linda

Thanks Linda,

I'd like to see the good king stumble into the local pool hall. He would probably complain that three other guys were wearing the same outfit!

Jean,

The ole short cue problem...I'll subject the matter to background thought for a while.

Mike the one Michele likes is not showing up for me, but I like the one with the cue stick dropped down. Technically it could be used as a directionally tool to bring the eye back to his wonderful face!

I can't wait to see this, you should sell him wallet size photo's too when your done with the reference it is great.

Oh, by the way - I think you are far more dashing in your photo by your name! ;)