Critique?

[DanaLane]

I know her face is a little dark and I need to mask and brighten it a tad, but looking for some constructive criticism of the following;

Looking for suggestions on how I could improve the next time.

Thanks!
Model: Monica

 

[Big Mike]

Her face could maybe use a touch more light, but it's certainly not too dark.

I really like the image, it's a very engaging portrait. The only thing I don't like is the position of her hands & forearms...they look a bit awkward.

 

[The Phototron]

I don't like the square crop.

 

[heip]

I think the face is lit fine, the eyes need a little more punch. Very nice portrait.
IMO I like the square crop on this. I dodged the eyes to bring up the catch lights.

 

[The_Traveler]

First of all this is a super shot and it has so much going for it that I can hardly list it.
Great pose, model, color, pose, etc. The contrast between beautiful skin, hat texture and wall texture is just perfect. As is her smile.

IMO, there are two small problems, both correctable.
1) the face is a little dark and dull; I would specifically lift that up a little and increase contrast a smidge
2) the position of the hands are awkward and forces a crop that includes two dark corners at the top which diffuses the energy of the picture a lot.

I would crop this just to her shoulders and head for a tighter and more pleasing (at least to me) shot. Sort of like this below.

Thanks for letting me play with this really nice shot.

 

[The Phototron]

That's a great crop traveler, and nice adjustments as well.

 

[The_Traveler]

Look at the OP's Flickr site. Some very nice shots there, especially http://www.flickr.com/photos/dalphoto/848354432/

 

[JimmyJaceyMom]

I like heip's eye adjustments and The Traveller's crop. But I love the original color you have, I wouldn't change that and I think the face is lit fine. Nice pic!

 

[Universal Polymath]

Really nice portrait - very engaging. I agree with everything else said, so no need to repeat it all, but with a little work your original shot could be even more excellent.

Um, am I the only one who immediately thought of Audrey Tautou upon opening this thread?
http://www.insidefilm.com/images/amelie.jpg
http://www.publispain.com/posters/amelie.jpg

...No one else? Alright then, maybe it's just me.

 

[midnitejam]

The_Traveler,
Your critique and also the edit is spot on.

 

[DanaLane]

Great comments, all of them! I'll do a little rework and repost!

And thanks a bunch for the kind words. I've only been shooting people for a few months, and I'm working more on the lighting and tech aspects and forgetting the posing and the like!

 

[DanaLane]

Thanks for all the comments, made a few minor changes, see below!

 

[Sweetsomedays]

I liek the changes, nice work!

 

[skieur]

OK, everyone else seems to have missed it, so I will bite and ask what should be an obvious question.

Why is the skin colour of the face and part of the neck different from the skin colour of the rest of her shoulders?

skieur

 

[heip]

OK, everyone else seems to have missed it, so I will bite and ask what should be an obvious question.

Why is the skin colour of the face and part of the neck different from the skin colour of the rest of her shoulders?

skieur

The colour of the light.