Contemplating One's Self

Just trying to get in to her "personal space" without apearing as if I'm noticed ;) Forgive me if you get tired of my favorite model (my wife)

 

Thanks in advance for any and all feedback.

...she's actually absorbed in the mirror, looking at her eye makeup before we went out... I guess the near, out of focus "her" didn't read clearly. I also can see what you mean... the shadows are a bit harsh, especially the one from her nose. Unfortunately I don't know how to correct that when the pictures are taken unplanned. It's funny... both my wife and I didn't notice the shadow from her nose, until you pointed out the lighting. This is partly why it's hard for me to critique my own stuff. As for the graininess, it's shot in pretty low light at iso 800, so... it's supposed to be a "high-speed B+W film look"... alas, I fear it's just distracting. Thanks for the comments...

...if she apears upset to someone that doesn't know her, then I need to understand why. Expectedly, it would be tough for me to see that as, I know her baseline. I know what she looks like relaxed, and happy, etc. So... I can see that her eyes are relaxed. Yeah her eyes are closed a bit, but that's because she was checking her eye makeup. Maybe "Reflecting" might be a better title, but I just think that I must have missed something in composing it that would have given the viewer enough information to know that there's her and her reflection, and a mirror. :)

 

Also, I'm wondering still... what is the "poor" light issue on her face? She has darker skin, so... it looks right to me, but I got a similar comment on another picture from someone else. So first, what exactly is it that's reading as poor light, and what would you do about it... since I can't change the lighting for this type of picture, all I could do is change the exposure... and If I had exposed any longer, the nearest part of her forhead would have completely been blown out.

 

One last thing :) that is a really nice image you created, (I hope it's ok for me to upload a copy here) It's completely a different feeling, but really elegant. Thanks :)

I'm buying the lighting and grain within the aesthetic of existing light. There is good detail in the shadows. You could, if you choose, lighten the middle and high tones (minding the forehead, yes) to make it less somber; or the highlights only, for a little snap but keeping the moody look if you like it.

 

There is also plenty of room between spy-cam candids and formal portraits for your approach: "trying to get in to her personal space without _appearing_ as if I'm noticed." She knows you're there; she trusts you to strive for what Verna calls the gift of a Good Image, rather than a laugh at her expense; and she collaborates by getting on with it rather than by posing.

 

The mirror thing is perfectly clear to me, and nicely done, I think. Only, she isn't looking in the mirror. This makes "contemplating" a bit of a pun: she was _looking_, but now she's _thinking_. I like that, but it is probably contributing to the perception of annoyance/contrivance/whatever rather than a purely captured moment.

...since the comments they pertained to have been deleted :| hmmm.... should I delete my comments? or what

It happens. People will understand. There's still stuff worth discussing. Anyway, then I'd have to delete mine and then ...

I wish Verna would leave her comments up so we can all see them. I like what Verna suggested for the image. I don't think I have anything to offer other than what I assumed has already been said. Keep shooting.

the gritty black and white photojournalism approach works well here but unfortunately the expression on the woman's face is rather blah and unilluminating.