Okay all you 1 and 2 star critics, lay it on me. Tell me how my images could be improved. Try to be specific. "The image sucks" is no more helpful than a 1 or 2 vote, nor a constructive criticism. While certainly no expert portrait photographer, I am careful to pay attention to lighting, perspective, and in any portrait, the natural expression of the person. As a photographer, I understand how our feelings about our images, no matter what genre, are biased in how we feel about the subject. In this case, I’m very close to this person, so I know a sincere expression when I see one. What else am I missing? Open to critique.
Nikon D800E
F/6.3 at 1/50 second, ISO 400
Natural window light
bringing the complaint about the ratings here, may only 'bait' some. And who's side were you on? I kinda thought you were on the side to keep the ratings the way they were. Anyway, I gave this one a '3'. I think 'Simon Cowell' said it best a few times: "I'm not jumping out of my chair", but solid picture.
I didn't think I was on a side. I just wanted to encourage anyone who might be hesitant to comment to go ahead and do so. Some folks indicated they would never write a critique unless invited. Generally speaking, I'd rather have comments than votes but I really don't care how the rating system works.
(removed, wrong place)
I gave it a "needs work" rating because of the gray line on the far right side that is distracting, as well as the brightest areas of the image being her hand and her nose, which pulls focus away from her eyes. She has a captivating expression, but the issues above keep it from being "portfolio worthy."
Thank you, Marian, except I can't find the gray line that you're referring to.
It's directly against the right edge.
Got it. Thank you. I had to enlarge the picture to full screen size to see it. I also had to change my background in Photoshop from gray to black to notice it. I'll fiddle with the highlights and see what that looks like.
Yeah, I'm using a very large monitor, so it was probably more apparent to me.
I see what she means - it is part of the background.
I gave it three stars, even though I think it needs a little work. Just to tone down the brightest areas a little. I think there is a story here and I like how it is told.
Thanks Kevin for the comment. Considering the highlights have been noted by a couple people, I'll make the adjustments and see what happens. Generally speaking since I print so much of my work, if the highlights aren't almost to the point of losing detail, the overall image can appear sort of muddy. In other words, what appears bright on a monitor doesn't always appear that way on paper. I'll try it though.