Felicia

This photograph of Felicia was made at a workshop with the studios

giant ring light.

I have to say that personally speaking I hate ring lights. I always feel that it looks like holes have been drilled in the eyes. Maybe it is a phobia that I don't know I have.  Her right elbow (or lack thereof) bothers me. Her left elbow does not. A fine image otherwise!

Nice one... Though lacks innovation... Could've been better with some contrasting lights...

Mark,

David is spot on about ring lights. They have use for lighting some products, but not people. He is correct that you don't want to crop into her right elbow. Her right arm is also lighter than her face. The viewer's eyes will go to the lightest area of your photograph. You don't want that to be her arm.

I don't thing you really want such flat lighting. Judicious use of shadows can create interest and add the illusion of depth within your photograph. 

It wouldn't hurt to have a hair or backlight to better separate her dark hair from the background.

I'm not really sure I care too much for her expression. Maybe it's her spooky eyes, but her expression doesn't seem real. Strange tattoos, too. Maybe I am getting too old, but do I sense a lack of femininity going on here?

The sharpness and facial skin tone is good.

Nice shot,

Mark

David - Thank you for your comment. I sometimes shoot from the side of the ringlight which essentially becomes a big soft light and doesn't have this effect in the eye. It doesn't bother me in the same way. I know your feeling on elbows and expected this comment. To me, I almost wish I had cropped it slightly tighter on that side so it was more obvious that this was intentional. I generally feel that as long as the arm doesn't get split it's OK to chop it like this.

Mark - I appreciate the technical analysis. I tend towards the feeling I get from photographs and can accept some technical issues if the photograph is emotionally effective. I am a big believer in light and deep shadows modelling the body. Sometimes it is nice to experiment with something different, as with the ringlight. Felicia, unique tattoos, piercings and all, is a great model to work with. Her look is different from many others which I like very much.

-Mark

Buen retrato, saludos

I think that a so deep glance was of the witches! Bravo!

Mark

I like this image.  I love the position of the eyes with the camera.  The ring light is a bit overpowering when you engage your eyes to hers, however, it works and that's all that matter.

deb

Gallego and Maurizio - Thank you for the kind comments.

Deb - Yes, the large ring light does leave large catch lights that can be a bit disturbing. I do like the result in general and feel it works with her particular style. Thank you for the visit and comment.