SabineBayreuth

I just want feedback. Anything will help. I am just beginning so all will

be helpful.

Very nice expression and colors. When making portraits the background can be as important as the figure, so trying different angles - making the background all in the trees or all ground is what I would suggest. The focus is just right - between background and subject. Nice work.

May seem a bit insulting to you but try taking the photo in portrait rather than the landscape you have used.  As for the position within the photo try moving the camera so that the subject, she in this case, moves position around the photo.  So that instead of being dead centre, she is more to the right or to the left of the shot.  See which you prefer to do.

Otherswise, good shot, interesting background though I agree with the comment above.

.............. Welcome to PN.

You have received some good info above, but may I add my 2cents worth?

The background of a portrait image should not detract from the subject, in fact it is better blurred completely. Your presentation here is in landscape mode and would be better suited in portrait ( which would remove some of the unnecessary background).

Your focus should be on the eyes...which would bring the whole face into focus....... you may wish to try "spot" focus instead of "pattern"

I've just done a portrait crop to illustrate, however the upload file is rather small so I was unable to work on the eyes.

It's all about practice, so keep at it.

Regards 

thank you all for the feedback, I appreciate it.  I will keep it in mind next time.

Jason,  

All the advice you have received so far is good, but we can even produce a better image by using simple software techniques.  I cropped and adjusted your original image in Adobe Raw and used extract (in CS3) to remove the background, but had another copy layered below to which I applied Gausian blur. The two layers recombined to give a sharp foreground and a blurry background.   The Adobe Raw allowed me to rebalance the color and exposure.  

My regards,

Jerry Matchett

I don't think brightening or cropping is needed! Only viewing on a black background! Has a mood, that darkness gives it that mood and the model is visible enough for her noblesse  and beauty to be noticed! And the environment has importance, not to be dropped away! I can accept only a little brightness/ contrast intervention for the needs of these shiny pages on PN!

Best regards Jason!

PDE