Rebecca

[binga63]

 

[mmaria]

I saw what you wrote on flickr for this photo and I, as someone who doesn't wear any makeup, completely agree. But, in this particular photo, I think it would be better if you clone out, just a bit, that greasy reflections from her skin.

... and warning is that I'm viewing this on a crappy computer/monitor so everything is more pronounced

 

[e.rose]

Are you posting for critique, or just to share?

 

[binga63]

As with everything shared here I don't mind if people tear shreds from me, as long as it is constructive

 

[e.rose]

As with everything shared here I don't mind if people tear shreds from me, as long as it is constructive

Okay, just asking. I try to make sure critique is wanted, if it's not specified, before I say anything.

So... with that being said... I agree with mmaria.

Your model is certainly beautiful, and no, she doesn't need makeup to be beautiful, but I think the lighting and processing are less than flattering to her.

The way the shadows are falling on her face give a less than feminine feel to the image, I think. Your processing and lighting are also emphasizing the shine on her skin as well as over emphasizing her skin texture.

I think if you would have perhaps come at it with more fill light... maybe lit like you would light a "beauty shot", it would have been more flattering to her.

I love the idea and concept behind this, but I think it's missing the mark just a hair.

TOTALLY just my own personal opinion, and you may do with it what you will.

 

[Gavjenks]

She looks like she's really upset, and/or squinting into the light. I dunno, it's not super flattering.
Agreed too on the shiny parts. Makeup would be one solution, or a minute's worth of cloning, but if you want no makeup or digital "enhancement", then perhaps a bigger diffuser, or if you're using a silvered one switch to a matte white surface.

 

[bribrius]

I actually like this one. For exactly some of the reason for the negative comments. Diffused soft light, softness, more flattering pose, etc. etc. etc.
would all be great to make a beautiful woman more so.
But I like this because it makes her REAL. The light is harsh, the oil stand out, I can envision her standing over a sweeping field during harvest, or looking out over some section of land in a bright harsh sun. The photo looks very real and gritty.

 

[Gavjenks]

I actually like this one. For exactly some of the reason for the negative comments. Diffused soft light, softness, more flattering pose, etc. etc. etc.
would all be great to make a beautiful woman more so.
But I like this because it makes her REAL. The light is harsh, the oil stand out, I can envision her standing over a sweeping field during harvest, or looking out over some section of land in a bright harsh sun. The photo looks very real and gritty.

Well okay, but if that's the look you want, I'd want there to be ... a field, and some bright harsh sun in the background. Or an athletic field/court, or whatever.

Studio backdrop sends a signal of a non-gritty, formal/artistic portrait situation.

 

[bribrius]

I actually like this one. For exactly some of the reason for the negative comments. Diffused soft light, softness, more flattering pose, etc. etc. etc.
would all be great to make a beautiful woman more so.
But I like this because it makes her REAL. The light is harsh, the oil stand out, I can envision her standing over a sweeping field during harvest, or looking out over some section of land in a bright harsh sun. The photo looks very real and gritty.

Well okay, but if that's the look you want, I'd want there to be ... a field, and some bright harsh sun in the background. Or an athletic field/court, or whatever.

Studio backdrop sends a signal of a non-gritty, formal/artistic portrait situation.

It isn't what I want it seems to be what the o.p. presented. you could put a unshowered filthy bum in a portraiture. OR a bw portraiture to bring out the lines and wrinkled skin of a old woman. Do they all have to have the same intent or are there different types? In this case I see a woman taken in a very harsh stance, not so flattering but very effective in a certain way. I know little about portraiture, im just commenting on what I see.

 

[bribrius]

she looks like a very strong woman. Dealing with resistance, but she knows things. And she is strong. And she looks out at something, maybe with a little weariness, another obstacle in life, but her pose, the light, gives the sense that she is ready for it. weary but with inner strength. That is what I get from this.

 

[binga63]

ok... the set things straight .... her eyes are red rimmed because she just had a full face paint removed, hence the shiny face... I could have matted her shiny bits back but then it would be just another shot, I liked what I saw and shot it and shared.. thanks for the response

 

[jenko]

Why is it that when a woman looks like she is thinking it is considered unflattering?

Anyway, I do not find this image altogether unattractive. Just less idealized, which draws more attention to the expression itself, what is being characterized, what it means. To me, she looks like she has some challenge ahead of her, something she must overcome, and she is determined.

 

[rexbobcat]

Why is it that when a woman looks like she is thinking it is considered unflattering?

This is gonna sound so misogynistic, but I think it can be explained in three words: resting b****h face.

Although this woman doesn't really have it because she's obviously tensing her brow, a lot of women I've seen try to do that introspective, kind of serious/sulking look and it makes them look mean or old.

This woman's features are strong enough that I think she pulls it off, but a lot of women just don't look pretty when they're trying to look serious.

 

[Gavjenks]

Why is it that when a woman looks like she is thinking it is considered unflattering?

You're the only person who brought that up, and it's a pretty huge stretch from what was actually said.
1) I think she looks aggravated, not so much in thought. Negative emotions are unflattering because you don't want them directed at you.
2) She's scrunching up her face whatever emotion it is, which adds lines and thus adds age, for either gender.
3) There's a lot of thinking poses that don't do that. Personally, I scrunch my face up sometimes sure, but also sometimes just tilt to the side and look at nothing near the ceiling, with maybe a slight lip purse, for instance.

 

[paigew]

idk, I like it. I get that it's 'rough', not-ultra feminine. To me it looks like a strong woman who is about to, or just accomplished something very difficult. She looks deep in thought, determined.