Feel free to criticize

Cool)) just, in my opinion, it could be trimmed a bit View crop

I like it... very much... but the monochrome is a bit boring/grayish... I'd play around with the processing...

Cool)) Just, in my opinion, it could use a little cropping.

Nessie Skuch,
Thanks, but maybe leave the top View crop

Master Pygmalion and Galatea https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pygmalion

No, in my opinion))))

I like it... very much... but the monochrome is a bit dull/grayish... I'd play around with the processing...

Innushka,
Processing is a bit tricky, because I needed to adjust the WB during shooting, or rather, I had to hurry and set the settings before... My only defense is that I was moving from a well-lit room to a dark one, so I didn't have time to adjust the settings. It's either the settings or missing the moment (this elderly man only sat there pensively for a couple of minutes).

Master Pygmalion and Galatea https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Пигмалион

Ilona Kyriokatis,
I think this isn't quite about that, but rather about the transience of time, its mirage, its power over us, and the fact that we will all one day stand before the Rubicon, or the line separating us from eternity.

No, in my opinion))))

Nessie Skuch,
Why? Even though the top isn't particularly informative, I needed visual space.

Lana Medved 123, don't cut it off (I wouldn't touch the one on the right either)

Lana Medved 123, so don't crop it (I wouldn't touch the right one either)

so simple,
I try to crop while shooting, but I'm also not against making adjustments afterward if it improves the shot.)))

I think if you crop, maintain the frame's proportions. NMW, without the top, the emphasis on the faces becomes stronger; they seem to "float up."

Dreat!

Innushka,
It's a bit tricky with processing, because you had to adjust the WB during shooting, or rather, hustle to set the settings before... My only defense is that I was moving from a well-lit room to a dark one, so I didn't have time to adjust the settings. It's either the settings or missing the moment (this elderly man only sat there pensively for a couple of minutes).

Lana Medved 123, I understand... I won't do it again )))

Lana Medved 123, I understand... I won't do it again )))

Innushka,
How can I not... I have to :)))))

Innushka,
How can I not... I have to ))))

Lana Medved 123, No need ))) Lana, you try to take photos without editing... it's a very difficult, but interesting path... Good luck!

Lana Medved 123, No need ))) Lana, you're trying to take photos without editing... it's a very difficult, but interesting path... Good luck!

Innushka,
That's not quite right. I do use editing, but I try to take high-quality photos from the start, so post-processing will be minimal. Another thing is that sometimes people use editing to cover up imperfections, and I'm no exception...

Lana Medved 123,

processing covers up shortcomings

I have another observation (including about myself) - often processing destroys advantages))

Lana Medved 123, what is a disadvantage for you? What does it look like? :-)

memories......

Innushka,
That's not quite right. I do use processing, but I try to take high-quality photos from the start, so post-processing will be minimal. Another thing is that sometimes people use processing to cover up imperfections, and I'm no exception...

Lana Medved 123, It's also interesting to use a polarizer (C-PL) when shooting in places like these. With one turn of the filter (it rotates with a flick of your finger), you can remove or add reflections from the glass, changing the scene and composition of the shot as you go.

I was personally so captivated by this photo that I don’t even want to criticize it at all.

I was personally so captivated by this photo that I don't even want to criticize it.

8ele8, I don't want to criticize those that don't grab me. I also caught my eye with the subject, the moment, and the mood in the frame.
These are philosophical, as I call them...

But when you look at it... there's a slight dissatisfaction with the frame, something's not quite right... just a little more, and then I'd print it out and hang it on the wall.
Regarding the cropping, I'm leaning toward Nes's option. And for monochrome, there are a lot of gray tones.
Lana Medved 123Maybe you should try other options for converting to black and white?

Lana Medved 123, I have a different observation (including about myself) - often, processing destroys positive features))

so simple,
I've always thought that positive features are emphasized and negatives are skillfully hidden... The question of whether it's necessary to process photos, and how to do it so it looks natural and skillful, is all a matter of experience, personal preference, taste, and, for some, even principle...

Lana Medved 123, What's a disadvantage for you? What does it look like? :-)

Alex Domorad,
In this case, I consider the technical side of the works to be a disadvantage. What's it for you?

8ele8, I don't want to criticize those that don't grab me. I also caught my eye with the plot, the moment, and the mood in the frame.
From what I call philosophical shots...

But then you look... and there's a slight dissatisfaction with the frame, something's not quite right... just a little more, and then I'd print it out and hang it on the wall.
Regarding the cropping, I'm leaning toward Nes's option. And for monochrome, there are a lot of gray tones.
Lana Medved 123Maybe try other options for converting to black and white?

Kalju4ii, I just have a degree of "catchiness" that's different from the original. It varies. Sometimes I get a strong feeling, and I just float along on the waves of these sensations and leave the photo without a stern look or reflection, and, consequently, without words...
And if the photo doesn't really grab me, then yes, it's hard to criticize, because everything will be bad.

Lana Medved 123, you've avoided specifics ))
For me, there are no flaws. Just things that aren't to my taste

memories...

Ovden,
I think there's much more to this than memories. At his age (I think this man is quite old!), he's already experienced a lot... Love and its end, ambition and the subsequent devastation, illusions and the sobering up that comes after their collapse...

Lana Medved 123, you've dodged the specifics ))
For me, there are no shortcomings. Just things that aren't to my taste.

Alex Domorad,
Ha, ha... that's what you call a politically correct answer:)))))

8ele8, I don't want to criticize those that don't grab me. This one also caught my eye with the plot, the moment, and the mood in the frame.
These are philosophical, as I call them...

But you look at it... and there's a slight dissatisfaction with the frame, something's not quite right... just a little more, and then I'd print it out and hang it on the wall.
Regarding the cropping, I'm leaning toward Nes's approach. And for monochrome, lots of gray tones.
Lana Medved 123Maybe try some other options for converting to black and white?

Kalju4ii,
Seryozha, I totally agree with you, it's just not up to par and needs some work... In dark rooms, I use the 50mm lens more, I have a Polarizer, and an XC-Pro for Canon. Thanks for the advice, I'll see what kind of beast this c-pl is.
P.S. I'll try to tweak the black and white settings, but...

Kalju4ii, I just have varying degrees of "grippiness" ) Sometimes I get a strong feeling, and I just float along on the waves of these sensations and leave the photo without a stern look or reflection, and, accordingly, without words...
And if the photo doesn't grab me at all, then yes, it's hard to criticize, because everything will be bad )

8ele8,

There are photographs that touch on more than just the concept of old age or aging... Which is generally natural, because we will all eventually step beyond the shadows... Criticizing such works is difficult, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be done

There are photographs that touch on more than just the concept of old age or aging... Which is generally natural, because we will all eventually step beyond the shadows... Criticizing such works is difficult, but that doesn't mean it's unnecessary.

Lana Medved 123, Well, no one has ever escaped old age, so there's no point in me thinking about it, because there's nothing useful in those thoughts. As for the line... I'll say a few words about myself, to make it a little clearer. I'm more of a Buddhist in my worldview, so I'm completely at ease with this line, and in fact, my whole life is structured so that I can cross it calmly and with dignity.

For me, this photo, perhaps, resonated on a deeper level; it instantly tore me away from everything externally mundane and bustling and immersed me in a kind of ethereal lightness, giving me a sense of ephemerality... just like that, instantly—and immediately into complete immersion.

So, I apologize, Svetlana, but I can't criticize... and it's good that there are those who can.

There are photographs that touch on more than just the concept of old age or aging... Which is generally natural, because we will all eventually step beyond the shadows... Criticizing such works is difficult, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be done.
Lana Medved 123, Well, no one has ever escaped old age, so there's no point in me thinking about it, because there won't be anything useful in those thoughts. As for the line... I'll say a few words about myself, to make it a little clearer. I'm more of a Buddhist in my worldview, so I'm completely at ease with this line, and in fact, my whole life is structured so that I can cross it calmly and with dignity.

For me, this photo, perhaps, resonated on a deeper level; it instantly tore me away from everything externally mundane and bustling and immersed me in a kind of ethereal lightness, giving me a sense of ephemerality... just like that, instantly—and immediately into complete immersion.

So, I apologize, Svetlana, but I can't criticize... and it's good that there are those who can.

8ele8,
Old age is a normal and natural physiological process, and running or hiding from it is foolish. What it brings is another matter, how it is perceived! Any age brings with it changes and the summing up of some period of life, but with age time feels a little different, more acute, perhaps... If work has pulled a chain of thoughts, associations, and evoked a response in my soul, I am only glad about that... Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

I didn't read the comments.
I'd cut it up.... And I still don't like the color and lighting.

You could have removed the bust on the left...
Here's a quick one, for a warm-up.

I didn't read the comments.
I'd crop it.... And I still don't like the color and light.

You could have removed the bust on the left...
Here's a quick example, for a warm-up.

Cos2 angle,

You can crop it, you can also play with the color and contrast. Regarding the vignetting, thanks for the idea, but I think if you do it, it should be a little softer.

I liked the photo... A man reflects on his life and the objects around him as fleeting moments of his life in memories...