The Reader

Excellent overall composition. As a studio shot it is bound to feel artificial in spite of the active pose. The interesting part

is the modern looking model and the antique gown and oldish book. The could be pushed further. Using the gown and

book composition could make for an interesting nude study. Or using the elements seen here the book could be replaced

by laptop or the awful iPad in am using at this moment.

Excuse all the typos. I only have an irritating iPad. What I wanted to emphasize is that there are many possibilities with the model and

the old gown. I suggested few. I suggest the photog explore these possibilities, take chances.

An extremely well done portrait which, unfortunately, looks too perfect and too posed. The only thing this photo does for me is showcase the photographer's expertise and technique. I suppose that's a point in its favor, but is that what a photograph is supposed to do? It says nothing to me. It elicits no response or emotion for me. As I said, it's very well done, but in the end...boring.

I love the lighting, very well done.

Thanks again everyone for your comments. I agree with Fred that a successful photograph is more than just light and composition, but also has to impart nuances of thought and meaning (however, light and comp are very important as it enhances the mood of an image). I wish I had the luxury to spend hours with a subject in order to catch that perfect natural moment...it doesn't always happen, as those that work with models know. I also agree on the comments with respect to the details of the clothing and background. I won't make that mistake again should I decide to do another period portrait.

Simple, low key and high impact. Very well done.

I like the lighting and the model delicate face and figure, I agree with the previous comments about the hair style, because I think that if you go that far ,so it is better to go till the end( of details )The dress didnot disturbed me, I think that techically it very well done.

As Fred talked about Vermeer I didin the past a dialogue with him...but took it to our era...

I like the lighting and the model delicate face and figure, I agree with the previous comments about the hair style, because I think that if you go that far ,so it is better to go till the end( of details )The dress didnot disturbed me, I think that techically it very well done.

As Fred talked about Vermeer I did in the past a dialogue with him...but took it to our era..

http://photo.net/photodb/presentation?presentation_id=268934

Debra, personally, I would not mark it a mistake, but rather something to consider on what you want to achieve with the photo. As i suggested earlier on, if this photo is an hommage to painters such as Vermeer, then the modern touches can be OK. But the photo should leave a clue that we're looking at a hommage, rather than a "re-enactment". It's a matter of choice and intent, not a matter of right or wrong. In my view anyway.

(I recently saw a series of photos in a local gallery where several paintings (including a Caravaggio) were mimicked as photos. Printed on canvas, they were meant to be modern copies, and most were really well done. They went quite far to re-enact the painting, wearing some (volunteer!) models out completely - but it was their exact intent to create copies. I quite liked it, some were miraculously close)

Sorry for the typos and twice of the same... it should be:I think that technically it is very well done.

Beautiful work...like a Renaissance painting.

I like the delicacy of tones in this portrait. And the dress is interesting and adds to the mood of mystery suggested by the lighting and the dark background. I can't seem to accept the book as adding anything here. It rather subtracts from the simplicity of the concept in some way. Perhaps if the young lady's hands were given some illumination, that would help. Or provide a useful balance for the whole frame. I guess the book itself doesn't personally interest me as an element suggested by the title. There is much I like in this photo, that the overall effect is interesting enough for more than one look or two. That is an achievement in itself that I admire. Namely, nice thoughtful portrait , Debra. Makes me want to have a look at your gallery and I will.

A stylized and pretty portrait that will no doubt please the sitter, who is quite easy on the eye. It is difficult to imagine any other motive for this type of portrait. It is both the picture's strength and its weakness. It is like Chinese food; you know what you are getting when you walk in the door, and you seldom feel as you depart that you got cheated. But, you never feel, though, as if there was any real difference between this particular dining experience as the one you had the last time you were there. The emperor has clothes, alright, but they are the same clothes he always had, if you get my drift.

Well, I guess if we can't aspire to Le Renoir style, we can sure avoid the dim sum, all you can eat lunch packaging:-). Which this portrait has achieved- in my always 'umble opinion. Some good comments above I can relate to in the rspectful advice offered. I know we all strive for impact or punch or what have you that makes a photo stand out from the everyday. This does aspire to be better than a mechanical studio portrait for sure...
But try to put additives for punch and impact and sensitive soul reach into words, gee, very tough. We try by deconstructing and reassigning elements. Using words and common meanings of same to experienced people photogs who love the human face.
Which then inevitably loses the overall visual and subliminal- visual effect I think, a sort of paradoxical thing. I would call this a good photo-pick for analysis, with a lot to garner interest in seeking more ' impact' or reach, whatever those qualities say to the viewership.
And it is a challenge to deconstruct it and not get lost in the 'brushstrokes' so to speak if that makes sense.
Finally, a hats off to the Debra for taking on board all comments in healthy and gracious learning spirit, a hearty plus for that...

<<<Finally, a hats off to the Debra for taking on board all comments in healthy and gracious learning spirit, a hearty plus for that...>>>

A heartfelt +1 to Debra for that.

An equally heartfelt -1 for the stereotyping of Chinese food by Emmanuel. :-)

Debra, hope you are still reading this. You made no mistakes in this image. However you came by it you are on to something. You are combining the antique and the modern in a unique way. I suggested considering variations. Do so. But this image is absolutely perfect. Period.

Don't ever accept the stifling and superficial tale of someone telling you one of your photos is perfect. Work toward something much more fulfilling, expressive, real, and rewarding than so-called "perfection."

Wonderful portrait, well done!

Debra: I second this opinion: this photo is not a mistake. You thought and executed this image. It may not be an end to the process. I think of many (majority?) of my photos as sketches or studies which may lead to other images following same process of though. You may or may not respond to the "rules" of "good" photography. You can respond to and modify your work, or ignore the wishes of your audience. In my mind this discussion is to inspire it's participants, not to pass final judgment on POW as a success or a failure.

I think this shot is all it can be and is very good.

Alex, I agree that it ought to be left alone at this point since I don't see any constructive changes that could be made at this stage. But it is certainly useful to have discussed different possibilities and to still discuss some if people have more thoughts about the photo. My point was that it is not perfect and few photos are. Most of us on PN are works in progress. So despite the fact that it might not be improved at this point since most improvements suggested would require re-shooting, it can be learned from, and such learning can be put to use in the future. Ultimately, of course, as Thomas notes, it is up to Debra to see how she feels about what's been said and whether that will influence her future photographing. Critiques are offers only. No one is obliged to agree with them or act on them. Sometimes, they make no sense at the time but can plant seeds that might see some sort of fruition way down the road. So, the photo can be left alone in terms of not touching it further but not left alone in terms of critiquing it and learning from it. I don't like when "work of art" or "perfect" is used to make something unassailable or untouchable. We are human. Debra is human. And this photo is worth much more than calling it perfect and being done with it.

My post may seem a little off because Alex (who had specifically referred to it as a work of art that shouldn't be touched) edited his post while I was writing my response. In any case, it's a worthwhile discussion for us to have, IMO.

"Solitary Moment" is another version of this picture, and it should resolve whatever doubts have been voiced about "The Reader."

The left hand is visible under the book, the fit of the dress is better, and perhaps most importantly, there is a sense of engagement between the subject and the camera.

Same model, same book, slighly different pose and lighting, and utterly satisfying.

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=14655272

Terrific light and colours. Terrific poise and skin tones. Congratulations.

Excellent use of lighting and fine detail. Congrats.