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Fred.... Think nothing of it. I will cross it up to being only a random forum poster and will endeavor to write more clearly in the future.... Mike

What appeals me most is that this photo is mixture of old style and today. There is toned photo (even darkened from edges) of young lady with old stylish clothes, but with newer hairstyle, more daring pose and framed/cropped by way that, i guess, would have been unheard and unaccetable some eihgty years ago. Yes, mixing is the keyword. a s l a

It is hard to make a perfect set piece without it looking like an attempt to make a perfect set piece. The pose fills the frame, the hands don't cover the face, and the end result does not look natural enough to elicit any kind of a sense of communication. The lovely model is just another object in a carefully mapped frame filled with interesting objects.

It is in a sense. But can 'cute' or 'charming' still be engaging ,without communicating something more compelling or more of a verite dramatic piece set but just a piece of light staging, as a light comedy or a light opera or a light waltz or light anything to compare with in other art expressions...

I can see that in the photo and get some pleasure is all. I am not searching for more at this time but true that some can easily argue and win the point that easy superficiality is what it delivers.

Not a critique, but a question: I have recently read a blog of a rather well-established portrait photographer critiquing portraits by aspiring portrait photographers, and in 99% of outdoors pictures, he had asked "where is the light", meaning that there was no play of light and shadow on the model's face.
While there is a BIT of a shadow on her face here, overall, the light ON HER FACE is rather flat. Now, again: not to criticize, I always thought that a very soft diffused light that does not produce much of a tonal range between shadow and light is perfect for outdoor portraits, but I was really phased by the above-mentioned blog... 90% of my outdoors pictures look somewhat like this one in terms of quality of the light. So, I am wondering: is it a shortcoming, or an advantage? Is it poor control of light, or can it be a legitimate and pleasing choice? Does the interplay of light a shadow on the face HAVE to be complex in order for it to be a GOOD portrait? Can an emotion, or, as is the case here, the mood/ambience, for example, be a "raison d'etre" of a photo, even if the light is not interesting in and of itself? I'd love to hear some opinions.

Looking for any one thing in a portrait is pretty self limiting and really makes no sense. It is after all a human and with any luck an interesting human. If your more interested in a catch light than a critical tilt of the head, then your a technician, forget about art (if you haven't already) and just focus on doing a good workmanlike job. Attaboy!!

If your an artist you should have something more in your head than your professors voice. You should take pictures everyday now that with digital it is so cheep. Use your different cameras on the same subject and you will soon know which one you prefer. Use a tripod and find out what level of sharpness you can hope for. Use the different settings just playing around so that when something good comes along you can get it. Learn how to quickly make adjustments to your camera(s).

What is your safe position? Auto, Program, whatever, you have to be able to get your camera out and on and pointed in the right direction for street or action shots. I prefer flash off as I don't want to have to wait for it, also turn off any smile programs that interfere with my control over the shutter release. Only turn that stuff on if you specifically need that feature.

I used a feature on my G11 that I have only used that one time and it was pretty cool. It takes a shot when it detects a new face entering the picture frame after a time delay of a few seconds. If you really want to get into some of your own shots it is kind of cool and may save a twisted ankle trying to beat the ten second timer.

I don't much care for photographs where the technique is the whole issue. This laundry list of things a 'good' portrait should have or not have is a formula for the best cliché.

I really like the picture. Well framed and sharp....the sepia looks outstanding. The only thing I do not like is the way the model (very pretty indeed) use her hands for support the veil...both looks some rude or indelicate...

very good job!

Beautiful girl , beautiful image love the tones

Rick