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I like this as it is. I think it is a clever shot and dislocates expectations in terms of what is not in the image as much as what is present. It has a old master 'painterly' feel and I also think it compliments your life model images really well. Great to have you back.

Hello Ian,

Good to see you posting again in the gallery.

Think this is good as it is, but I'd be intrigued to see a 'paler' version too...

Cheers,
Gavin

The print has a lovely understated quality, an elegance, which I think is hard to get. Not printing pure white is a difficult balance act.
In my personal opinion I'm not sure less contrast will help the final results, but perhaps the best way to decide for sure is to tweak the print some more.
The spots, or smudges, didn't even register with me until I read your text description. Once noticed, I think there is charm in small imperfections.

- Thomas

I like this version, Ian. Of course I'd be curious to see a lighter print as well. As it is, there is almost a .... marble quality to it.

Thanks everyone. It's the kind of print that I usually get slated for - not much contrast, no paper white, etc. But the more I look at it the more I like it. Definitely the best picture of the day I think. I'm heading back in a couple of weeks, so hopefully I'll find some more interesting pictures.

Two things, I've heard its easier to put a temporary block over the negative, like some opaque removable tape, to cause your black smudges to be white dots, and then color in with spotting dyes. I've found it easier to color in a print than a negative, and less permanent. Secondly, I think this method would work particularly well with this image, as I find it more striking as I view it smaller, If you agree then printing in a small frame might better hide the re-touched smudges.

It's certainly easier to remove a dark mark by spotting the negative rather than the print (for platinum anyway). I stipple the non-emulsion side with a pencil, and this usually adds sufficient density to obscure/remove the mark. A touch of watercolour on the print afterwards finishes the job.