Emma #3

Again a very well done "Portrait". As in any photo there is room for "nit picking" but the bottom line is this is a very well done image. Not exactly as I would have done, but excellent on it's own . Keep posting and keep shooting, I do suggest you try a bit less contrast. Charlie......

Ps, After I posted my comment, I went back to the gallery, wow does this Thumbnail image jump off the page!!!!! Way to go Dave........................

Ohhh .... this is good....

I like the contrast, especially in her hair. If I had to nit-pick it would be her forehead is a little over-exposed. It's a lovely picture. I also don't see anything wrong with her expression.

Dave, all 3 are just splendid! She is a lovely girl.

I love this. Really nicely done

It is a nicely seen and executed image. I agree that the light is a bit harsh, but this is a subjective comment. Perhaps a small reflector to bring back a hint of detail in the shadow areas and reduce the lighting ratio on the forehead would make things better, perhaps not. The only way on this one is to try a couple of differing scenarios to see which one brings out the best. Angles on facial planes are funny things. tim

This is my favorite so far. A bit more formal with the clothing which I like and the neckline really holds the viewer onto the expression. I also think the expression is giving us more about this person. Well done !!!!

Dave,

The little bit of separation over her right shoulder is part of what I talked about in my critique of your previously posted image. It really provides a lot more depth and a sense of 3-dimensional space. There's a little air in there.

Still, she is floating pretty much in a black void because of the loss of detail in her clothing. I refer to this effect as a "Jamby photo" after the genie character-head floating in the box on Pee-Wee's Playhouse. Ever seen that show? I don't mean to trivialize your attempt by that statement, just pointing out that it is theatrical in how it is coming across and this is what such contrast in a head shot reminds me of. That theatrical look sounds like it may be what you were after though with your reference to Hurrell.

One thing that bothers me more here seems a very minor thing but something easily remedied. You have a beautiful subject here but if you examine her position relative to the camera and trace the line of her face where it meets the background, you have disrupted the line of her face by having her head turned too far to her left. The tip of her nose breaks the line of her face as does the corner of her eye. If she turns ever so slightly back towards the camera, her nose appears totally in front of her far cheek rather than extending beyond it, and a little piece of skin appears at the far eye giving it the proper almond shape and keeping it from becoming a black hole again merging with the background. That's the proper head position to maximize the appeal of the lines of the face and is a very simple thing to accomplish if you keep yourself attentive to it. So, this frame is almost there but that slight turning too far really ruins it for me. Ditto with the hair on the far side. It is distracting as it interacts poorly with the line of her face and the shadow breaks the line of her shoulder making it look like the shoulder has been knifed/scarred. You may have to concentrate more on seeing these minor faults but once you start to recognize them, you will be able to easily correct them and your portraits will become easier to take and more successful. You have a good start in these but need more attention to detail. Joe

nice...you might try having her turn just a tiny bit to the right (face not shoulders) bringing the outline of the left cheek beyond the profile of the end of the nose and see which you like better...