Your thoughts please.....

[ArmySSG]

Sorry it's been awhile since I posted here. Since my last post, I've retired from the Army, moved from AZ to TX, relocated in San Antonio several times, and finally got back into photography.

I'd like your thoughts on this image if you wouldn't mind....

[jar_e]

Interesting shot. I love the tones; a great addition to this shot IMO. The tight crop I think works well and the shot is relatively sharp so that's a huge plus for a portrait. It's hard to make portrait's unique and original, so eventually they come cliche, but I don't mind this shot and I think it works.

Well done.

[PlantedTao]

lots of people looking, no one commenting ;) I guess I'll take a stab...

Great tones and lighting on this black and white. Like jared said, it is very sharp and everything (crop & composition) looks great on this photo.

However, I feel something is off on this photo...it just does not work for me. I think it is her expression and look? The staring thing off into space with her head in that position seems strange to me, especially with the semi smile. The head tilt, eyes, and mouth all seem to work against each other...it doesn't look natural.

I like it because it is technically good...but other than that I look right past it.

Good to see you posting again!

Cheers.

[darksoto]

Great black and white, i don't think color would have worked for lighting situation. Though the image looks like it was not on purpose, due to blur effect, it is a well composed shot and demands respect. The overall effect she has on the photo is not all there, something doesn't click and say, "look at that shot now!" Another thing, she looks like she came from the 60's and 70's. good shot though.

[freygr]

I would of liked it if it was alittle lighter.

[Kaelastreet]

For me, what is that sticking up behind her, above her cap?
In a way, she seems to be looking at it asking the same question.
Kizz

[walterick]

I think it's a very nice portrait, for all the reasons mentioned above: crop, framing, tone, direction of light, model's position and expression. My only nitpick is too dark on my screen.

Good to have you back.

[buckwild]

I think it really works, imo the pose, lighting, and eye lashes, make the shot, great job.
-shawn

[Alison]

Unique lighting and very brave of you to use it I would say. I always find lighting very hard to get right. You did a great job on this portrait.

[Retired_SSG]

Since I posted that image, for some reason I have not been able to log in, so I have changed account names, and I'm starting all over again.

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone that has taken the time to view my image, and commented on it. I love to learn and get ideas from the comments. I'm going ahead and including the original photo in this posting. Yes, a little bit of photoshop was done. Did I do right by it, or was I wrong in my vision?

[freygr]

Since I posted that image, for some reason I have not been able to log in, so I have changed account names, and I'm starting all over again.

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone that has taken the time to view my image, and commented on it. I love to learn and get ideas from the comments. I'm going ahead and including the original photo in this posting. Yes, a little bit of photoshop was done. Did I do right by it, or was I wrong in my vision?

I like the original photo but then I like COLOR. I never have had willing models or even good looking....

[jar_e]

Color looks great to me. Including more of the body adds to the shot alot IMO.

Wonderful shots for both of them!

[amithi]

Definitely like the second version better! More of her personality is communicated by having her shoulders and all included.

[Kaelastreet]

Now I see what was sticking up behind her hat.

If I had the opportunity, I might have dodged that out, or to a softer state, but apart from that, I have no problems with your first post.
Kizz

[walterick]

There is nothing wrong with your second shot. Is a good portrait. But it doesn't have the wow factor for me that the first one did. Something I just realized I like about the first one is the impression I get that she is looking up at a source of light. I like that about that image. The second one is fine, the tones are great, but imo you were on to something in your retouch of it and I commend you for having that vision.

[poker]

My reaction to this one is similar to the "A posed portrait of Danielle " thread. I didn't fully like the posted BW on this thread but totally appreciated the color version.

The bw version was way too dark for me and I would've mid-chopped the hat since her eyes led you to look up but all there was to look at was the hat. The color version has more character and the background is pretty cool.

[mpreslar]

I like both of these. The first has a more "moody" feel to it, but a bit dark. The second has more personality. The model is drop-dead gorgeous! There are a couple of spots on the "bodice" area of the color version that are either dust specs on your sensor or lens, or something showing through the white shirt from the underclothes. In either case those could be cloned out and they would be less distracting.

Really great work! Welcome Back!

[GB1]

I like the original post's composition better, but also think it's just a tad too tight. It's also a little dark for me - I like slightly unexposed shots, but I wonder how it would look with the density a little brighter.

Great model. San Antonio and Austin cultures seem to have a lot of style..

GB