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the lines of light on the left side of the face is distracting on this portrait i think .

As a portrait photographer, I find this image to be VERY strong, youth and elegance. The eyes really draw you into the portrait. Yes, the stray strand of hair across her right eye is a bit distracting.

I agree with Bill Tate - the lighting transition with the netting makes this just too artificial and stagey looking - a found shot this is not. There is as a result no subtlety here - and I agree it almost looks like a scar down the middle of the face. Until I checked more closely I almost assumed that the makeup on the eyes would be quite different on one side to emphasise the duality of it all. Also not a big fan of kiddult photos - if she is 14 let her be 14 - not 24 yrs old in a camera nut's fantasy.

I agree the bar behind her neck tends to harden the image overly. Just having her lean against the fence might have worked better, but it's possible that Andrey had already explored that scene and rejected it. Nice contrast though, I love black and white, it draws attention to lines and features rather than to colors.

This is haunting. Pensive. The shadow adds tension. The hair effect augments the feeling. Amazing picture.

The image is provocative and eye-catching.

 

The division of left and right, manifested in the mask-like shadow of the chain-link fence, is strong.

 

Photographically, it's a terrific concept. And, it holds my attention.

 

On the other hand, for me, the image implies an underlying message or theme. And, I can't get a good hold on it. For me, in the end, this distracts me. Is this demonic possession, misguided youth, skin-deep beauty, etc.

 

A fine choice by the elves.

 

Thanks for sharing.

My opinion is that it's a striking portrait which inspired me to think of a story behind the image. Youth stepping into adulthood, fences that adulthood puts around young persons mind... Definitely a portrait that goes beyond just looking good.

 

I would like that I could take a portrait like this. Congrats...

Splendid. A beauty.
Love cast shadows.
Also, find "in focus" area on the fence interesting.
The arm pit bugs me a bit (and eye(s) seems somewhat lazy?)

You don't need to "get it". That's the beauty of art. This is a well taken, thought provoking photograph of a strikingly gorgeous girl.
This would have been an excellent photo without the texture of the fence shadow. It's also an excellent photo (perhaps more so) with it.
Well done.

JP

I love how you added the lighting on the girls face. Very creative. The eye contact in this picture is very beautiful as well. Great picture.

It's innocence, sophistication, and glaring (sometimes less than pleasing) reality of life.

The fence shadow make the image unique. Nice work.

The different catch-lights in each eye make the eyes appear to be misaligned, IMHO. A compelling image in any case.

After gazing at this photo for a few moments and returning to it later for a few minutes, I began to see it less as candid portrait depicting the position of a young woman caught between a symbol of coercion (steel bar) and confinement (chain-link fence), as opposed to a gentle breeze floating her hair off to the other side, and more as a study in fashion. What drew me into that perception of the portrait was just that, her hairstyle, after which other things fell into place.
If anything is distracting to me, it is the sharp shadow line down the middle of her forehead. I just don't see smooth objects with edges, and it looks unnatural--to me. So, I wonder how it got there.
But it makes me think, and even if I've got it all wrong, for that alone it's done its job.

 

if the other side of the chainlinked side is lighter than it is, then it will be much better

I like the interesting eyes.

I don't like the girl's left forehead. It looks a bit too contrasty or grainy. I guess the light is too bright on her right side.

 

Interesting photo.

Excuse me, but hasn't anyone noticed that the girl looks crosseyed? I think that the photographer was standing to close to the model when he took the shot. So, although it is a nice photo, it can't consdidered as one of the best portraits on PN (as someone said). Sorry.

She surely could be a gorgeous model, especially as she gets older. Her eyes are indeed captivating as the photographer captured them. However I do not like the chain link fence shadow at all. It reminds me of spiderman. It totally takes away from the photo, sorry about that.

Some of the responses here remind me of Private Eye's "Psued's Corner". To me this is a rather ordinary photo spoilt by poor choice of background, but who am I to contradict experts?

This is a picture of a quite young and, one hopes, simple girl, but the upswept hair and low-cut dress seem to be piling Pelion on Ossa, in something of the same way stage-struck mothers push their tiny tots into beauty contests, and from this perspective the chainlink casts its shadow as a sardonic comment.

I don't feel this picture works as constructed. Almost could be a movie poster for T4, half human-half cyborg. It should have been one look or the other. When I crop down the center of her nose, and alternate sides, her right side (subjects left side) seems to work better. I would like to see the bar removed or subject repositioned, as to where the fence pattern covers most if not all of her body surface. It's a little hot under her right eye, the heart-shaped shadow under her right nostril has me puzzled, and the confusing shadows on her chin and faint fence shadows on her chest and dress don't add anything positive. I've seen chain link fence used so often with success, but this attempt falls short. I have a feeling there may be a better image "on the roll".

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Josh, the eyes have been selectively sharpened, a standard procedure in these kinds of shots. Personally, I'd love to see the original shot. That's what tells me something.

Bill P.

Very beautiful and creative, excellent lighting. Congratulation

Gorgeous portrait Andrei, I love her expression and she is beautiful subject indeed. Only disturbing issue I found on this photo is that one hair crossing girl's right eye (left on the image) otherwise outstanding work. Best regards.
Miroslav

I like the idea of this shadowed part on model's face. The portrait looks very playful in that way. She also looks like a doll due to high graphic post processing, which makes her face to be more artificial. Specially the eyes.