SMP_7395a copy

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Good composition and compelling model. The rim lighting on his back bleeds into the background and edge definition dissappears in those areas. A dark background would allow the rim lighting on his back to accurately show his body edges.

    I like the lighting, model looks good. Maybe a little more fill light on the right sideof the face.

I'm gonna give you a very rare critique for a pic like this.

      I'm a Japanese sword instructor of 10+years. The position of the  sword from a combative point of view looks at best amature.

    Looks like he's displaying a block. His right side of his head would been injured. And he's "giving away his right arm for a strike. His arm does look cool in the shot though.

     Now I know this critique probably means nothing to 99% of the folks here, and the photograph you took looks fantastic.

   however if you plan on taking more photos with bladed weapons you may or may not want to look up pics of sword positions. It could make for a more authentic model appearance.

    The combative position that is closest to your model's from my point of view is one called in Japanese. "hasso no kamae:

(and I do know that's not a Japanese sword, however every culture had/has pretty much the same fundamentals. )

again, great photo, just thought I'd chime in with a unique critique for ya!

Tom