©bettieCL_ReneFleming_MG_6165

Thanks for the good word put in for me by Rita van den Heever, Cultural

manager at the University of Johannesburg, mine was the only camera

allowed during American opera diva, Rene Fleming's Masterclass to South

African students. Ms Fleming relented on the ban which sent all media

photographers home, based on the fact that I was a student at the time, of

the New York Institute of Photography. I learnt about the existence of that

long distance school here on Photo Net! Thank you, PN

Great story about getting a scoop.  I've had a few similar breaks.  But to your image--

 

This is a very well done shot.  You got it pretty sharp and you caught your subject in an interesting moment.  It would have been nice if the fingers weren't blurred but that's too much to ask for.  As it is, the image works very well.  You also got a good background.  The person on the left adds a note of seriousness to the lecture.  Colors and tones are excellent.  

Alex, your comment is much appreciated. In the low light, with my ISO pushed to 1600 and my camera leaning on the shoulder of a guy in front of me, when I was sitting on the floor in front of my chair, sharpness was touch and go. And noise a real problem to handle in post production.