goddess

I think that it is a pity that the head has been cropped, but more importantly, I think that it would be a much better photograph if it were cropped just above the nipple. The presence of the forearm is, in my opinion, so distracting that it even takes the viewer's eye away from the (delightful) breast, as well as the face !

This is a wonderful image. The tonal and contrast quality is beyond reproach, in my opinion. The image gives a feeling of the two sides of a woman. The right side gives a view of a modest emotion while the left gives a more wild view of women. I do not have a problem with not seeing the top of her head. We all know she has a top of her head and don't really need to see it. The hair flowing to the right gives more to the impression of freedom of choice and will. There is hair movement on the right but, it is not as whispy and has a deeper feeling of strength than the left.

 

I feel that the young lady in this image should be proud of the way the photographer captured her. Showing her beauty and strength at the same time. Wonderful. Keep at it.

Beautiful lady, interesting lighting, the arm and hand seem too bright, they could be equal to the skin on the breast. Would do some burning. Exposure and lighting is delicate and well balanced. It appears very soft yet is sharp. This must have taken alot of time.

 

Your models eyes are captivating, her waredrobe seems very fitting and aluring for this photo.

 

I'm not that good a photographer but this is really a gorgeous shot.

 

I"ve enjoyed looking at your work.

Thank you all for your comments. Today I came home after 10 days hospital and found my picture on the photo of the

week forum. I'm honnored and it gives me extra strength to recover.

Joost, I wish you a speedy recovery!

 

What really MAKES this photograph for me is the symmetry with the frame being split left/right down the centre by the arm and nose, and by the different shade in each half - it makes the photograph stand out. The hand, arm and elbow are very important in this photograph. It's more than just a portrait of the model's face.

 

Initially I wasn't too sure about the sharp contrast between light top left and dark top right areas, but the more I look, and the more I see the difference between each side of the frame, the better it looks. I like it.

 

Pete

Beautiful B&W photo! Use of the light and shadow is very well done. The catch light in her eyes bring this portrait to life! This is a very nice balance of sexuality and sensuality.

 

Thank-you.

I understand comments about strength in the expression and pose. Yet is there not a certain vulnerability in the lips and eyes that contrasts with the strength of her magnificent facial proportions. The two faces of a magnificent example of the human animal, not just the female feline animal. Definitely no dominatrix and not the girl next door. That is why it is worthy of the golden grail. Complex.

7/7

EXELENT SHOT love lighting and perfect model

In my opinion this is a great portrait. great tonalities, very good light and shade contrasts and excellent black and

white. However, if it was my portrait, I would have cropped the photo a few centimetres below the hand, thus leaving

the attention of the viewer on the great expression of the model. In my opinion the long arm is distracting a bit.

However, very good job Joost, This is GREAT work.

no suggestions it is perfect

Spectacular

wonderful shot, beatiful light, tons congratulations

it looks very digital to me and a bit harsh on the skin pores and the material weave

not sure about the light/dark background either

 

apart form that I think its a competent portrait but like a million others, it's not especially noteworthy or interesting

An excellent image. The focusing is just right. Very clear details on the attire & the hair. B&W conversion works very well. The photoshop

treatment is superb without over doing the skin tones.

Very professionally done.

This is great. The eyes, the expression, the lighting angle and exposure are perfect methinks. Love the contrast....Haven't shot much BW in yrs, but it really adds a quality to this. The expression is provocative, as is the outfit and the shadows. Man I love this.

 

The only thing I have reservations about is the right side of the backdrop being so dark compared to the left side; I would have preferred it blend in better, though it is a bit thought provoking.

 

Whis

A hauntingly beautiful image. The lighting and the pose are perfect - and those eyes!!!! Thank you.

my heart stopped for a few seconds

 

no comment

my compliments

 

First, i agree with the title.A stunning beauty.But beauty is not the key to a charming photo.The minimal clothing that is not very revealing but not modest too, the soft reflection on the right part of the face, the metering and the crop are very carefully set and the result is excellent for me.An overexposed version would be very interesting too.My best wishes.

really beautiful image of a very beautiful woman, thanks for the inspiration.

Final thoughts. There is a balance in this portrait which I admire each time I review it. If the breast and upper chest had been hidden by the garment there would be an intrusive and unbalanced quality of her arm against the dark fabric. As is,there is the hint of her torso and bosom without a daring or contrived display. Just enough to make her all the more of a mystery( of a delightful sort) For this one, die Elves got a good 'un. Like all shots women have no pores,but that is alright. There is texture to the lips. And I can see it work splendidly in color or black and white.

good Lighting, Best Gazing and in-lost eyes....Good Mood and atmosphere created.

Congrat !!!

While it's fine technically, both in terms of lighting and composition, I see nothing unique or special about it.

It's just one more shot of a beautiful woman with a slight erotic undercast.

 

I've been thinking a lot lately about how so many photographers all take the same pictures, with only marginal

variations in what they do. My struggle these days is to succeed in locking on to my own inner eye to take

pictures that more deeply reflect a unique vision and sensitivity. It's not easy to achieve this and I may never

really succeed. I think most photographers have a unique inner eye although it's always hard to access.

 

I struggle with these photos of the week. The lions share of replies are almost always very positive but I tend

to react differently unless there's something clearly individual and surprising about a picture. To me it's

never enough just to execute well on a technical or craft level. What makes a picture truly great is finding

something in a subject that hasn't quite been seen before or presenting it in a way that's either unprecedented

or simply so focused and penetrating that it transcends it's genre. Those kinds of pictures are pretty rare.

A great photograph is about *seeing* first and executing second. Both are important but the former takes precedence. It's hard for a studio shot to be great because it's more constructed than "seen." For a studio shot to be that good I think it requires first the setup and then the ability to "see" the set up as if it just happened without planning. I don't think this picture quite achieves that.

Excellent execution! I love the texture in her hair and on her clothing. I like how it's dark in the background to the

right and dark in the foreground to the left and the opposite from left to right. It gives an overall balance to the image.

oK...the lighting was well thought out but...

1) The arm actually needs to be 'burned down'..why? because your eyes will always go to the area of the lightest tones. I want to look at her face..not arm.

2) The arm position is unnerving. It runs straight up the middle and seems to cut the photo in half. Besides...it doesn't look 'natural', it looks...well..posed.

3) This is a portrait (to me) not a fashion statement and thus I think the 'blowing hair' is unessesary and it bugs me to see the hair cut off so close to the face.

Not sure if it's because it happens to be in the brighter part of the background?

4) Also think cropping should have been considered..again..I dont believe the elbow 'adds' anything but attention to it. You cropped the top of her head, why not the elbow? Photos dont always have to horizontal or vertical.

Other than that, she is stunning and I love the textures from her skin to her sweater. Great work!