rose_a09

Another looking back at 2011. This was also from the only large workshop

session I attended.

This is portraiture more than nude photography.  I like the model's sensitive and pensive face.  Unfortunately the shoulder and arm are distracting.  I would square the photograph, eliminating most of the arm and leaving the top of the shoulder and her hand.  After that you might turning it into a rectangle again by eliminating the white area to the right.

At second thought, leave it alone. I do not know honestly what was on my mind when I wrote the above.  It is fine as it stands.  The shoulder works.  The white on the right is a perfect break and adds depth.  

Here is one more reason to take critiques with a grain of salt.

Alex - Actually, thank you for both sets of comments. I have gone back to critiques I have made and wondered why I said something. I also have looked at an image, thought it was terrible, then looked again and found things to like I had not seen previously. We are all entitled to change out minds.

I am pleased you wound up liking the photograph in the end. In almost every private session I do I try to make some images that are more portrait then traditional nudes. This is partly artistic and partly practical as I also need work to post on Facebook and as avatars on Model Mayhem where there are restrictions on what can be seen. 

-Mark

I think the shoulder and arm work as a focus for her thoughts. It might work as a closer crop, but I do think it is fine as is. I would agree that it is more a portrait than a nude. I do like it.

David - Thank you, I am never sure in what category to put images like this. Since she was, in fact, nude I figured that would work.

-Mark