Kris

Trying out some new filters your comments and critiques would be

appreciated.

Thanks in advanced.

not sharp- contrast and mood. bad work. best regards janegbert

I disagree with the above. I think her expression is well caught and there is just enough sharp.

I like the naturalness you're after. Her expression is calm and engaging. The filtration does weird things with her hair and having the tip of her nose and a bit of her chin in focus is an odd choice. It feels like there's a film laying over the photo. I'd be interested to hear just what you were after. To me, it seems like there's potential here but maybe some more honing is needed. She seems like a great subject to work with, and that's already a tribute to you as the photographer, for making me feel that way.

Ya Fred has a point, reconsidering, I always like to at least see the eyes a bit more sharp but that's my only suggestion.  Nice image.

I would like to see the original file if the filter was applied in post if you still have it.  If this is a filter you placed over the taking lens then you are stuck with the "muddies".  Flat lighting and muddy technique will get you a low rating so I would kick that filter to the curb.  I am okay with flat lighting (on-camera flash) for old, wrinkled faces in that it fills in the lines.  For a subject like Kris a more artistic and 3-dimensional lighting would be advised showing the roundness of her features.  Your image is fine for a record shot but I am uploading my preference for your consideration.

I was using a new lens filter and looking to soften the edges and defuse the hair somewhat.  Plus it was a new 85mm lens I was using for the first time it was more or less a candid shot just wanting to see how the filter worked.

My two cents is that it's a better photo in color and not cropped. There's no need (in all cases, though sometimes it does work) to get so close on a portrait. Sometimes, a little space and distance allows for a much more pleasant feel and a better viewing experience. I think this is one of those cases. Also, it's a very simple and nice portrait and the colors are simple and pleasing to the eye. The focus and filter issues still exist, but I think the original works quite a bit better overall.

Thank you for the sage advise.

I had taken this one using a Tiffen #3 Soft Filter at the same time and was happier with it then I was with that first filter but when I added the B&W in Lightroom just fooling around she fell in love with it.

It was her birthday so who was I to argue. :D

I think the focus issue is actually caused by the filter itself because the second shot was taken from the exact same spot as the first.

<<<It was her birthday so who was I to argue.>>>

LOL. I know the feeling. I rarely will argue with what the subject likes best. Of course, very often, what my subjects like are very different photos from what I like because we're usually looking for different things. I'm glad, and I'm sure you are, that she got a photo she likes for her birthday.