Hi Bruce thanks for you're reply! Well, the light was a little tricky in this photo; it came from above but since he was close to the beach his face was illuminated by all kind of bouncing lights. He had a very strong reflection from the pavement, the sand nearby and the white tent of a guitar craftsman. The use of textures is purely and stylistic approach of mine; some viewers love it, some don’t care for it. I was asked by another photographer to post it B/W without the texture while this lady believes the use of them compliments the character.
Remembering beach lighting does help me see it better and I like the textured background well enough; it is just that if I selectively block my view of the top edge of his head its volume is much more vivid. The greater spacial tension with the background that further rounding of his head would cause may well be undesirable though and not my call. Bruce
