this is look like some one wants to sell you white but you see that is black... and you can say anithing =(

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I personally don't see the point in referencing photos unless new artistic values are introduced in the process, but everyone is free to do whatever pops their cork.

There is only one way to ponder issues like these, and here it is:
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/9853/oldmananimka2.gif

While 'creatively' I don't mind this, since large amounts of volume have changed from the original photo, the pixel-perfect placing of the eyes and nose base are 'somewhat' suspicious. My guess is that you pixelled OVER the photo. Maybe I'm wrong. It doesn't really matter. What does matter is that ppl here are friendly and helpful, and you'll make most of it by avoiding disputable pieces like this one.

Welcome to PJ and have fun ;D

just keep experimenting with techniques...and look at other pieces on the site as you've already been doing...I look forward to more stuff by you :)

Glad this got resolved.

This is just one of those cases where something is SO good that it becomes suspicious, I remember someone said something along the lines of : "that fact that you think my work was done with a program is a great compliment to me."

Good luck with all your future work and welcome.

omg, you have said the perfect thing, with just the rigth insight.
You will be awesome if you keep at it, I just know it.

Thank you, Larwick for your feedback and help on this. I think perhaps I'll chose a less controversial theme for my next piece. My art training comes from photo-realist painters, so using a reference photo was an easy solution for me to get started. But after browsing around, I've seen even more detailed pixels here that aren't photo realistic, but still have all the qualities I was looking to create. So there must be another route to find my niche. Thanks again.

The fact you haven't smoothened the gap between the darkest colour and the midtones in some areas makes it look a bit unfinished imo, it's generally quite a sketchy-styled piece. If this is a stylistic choice i think it needs to be made a bit more prominent for it to really be seen as such. I personally think it's fine for the gallery, but i have edited your description with a direct link to the reference photo.

Keep up the pixellin'.

I posted my techniques below. I hope this addresses your concern.

I looked at the photo reference and made small adjustments until it resembled the original. The actual image, even reduced, is a lot sharper than mine. I thought this looked patchy by comparison.

For reference, I also used a technique that I use in traditional pen and paper art. I work on a small square of the image at a time, making sure to maintain the integrity in that small piece. And as I would do with an oil painting, I started with a pass of the darkest colors, and then added the lighter shades until I got the desired effect.

I'm new to pixel art, so I just fell back on my other training. If this is inappropriate for this website, I won't sweat it. Just wanted an interesting icon for myself.

It looks great, but seems like what Green Raven said. If it is real, then it looks fantastic.

This looks like a size reduction (NPA). My apologies if I'm mistaken.