On location portrait - how much location?

[Don Fischer]

I think I get what 665 is saying and agree with him. Something I read about portraits is focusing on the eyes and the few I do , I try to do just that. The focal point I get too. I see so many rather well done photo's where the subject get blown out by the focal point. Number three the background takes away the picture for me. had that background been out of focus more I think it might have added to the photo rather than detracting from it. Another think I think is you might have got closer and not had so much of that background show over the top of the girl. Number 4 is a lot better with that arch and the lionhead not so prominent. Then again I am no pro but over time just figured out the composition can make or break a photo when everything else is fine!