Helena's curves

My first impression was: Wow! Then I continued looking at the photo and it started to irritate me that there is a hint of her face and her left arm and leg. The outline of her body and the lighting are simply amazing. However, I somehow would have tried to get a little (!) more of her face/arm/leg - or none of it. Just my opinion :-) Great work!

All the best, Claudia

I love the way you have used this lighting and the deep shadows to show Helena's form. Congratulations for not avoiding deep blacks, Jo.

Jo, There is such a rich array of darker tones that you have pushed into black that I suggest you reconsider how to process this.  This is just one possibility.

Jerry

What I really like about this photo is the fact that the lines are so normal. Many photographers, when going for this style and effect, use poses that are quite exaggerated in order to get what they believe to be a dramatic effect. Here we get another look at the beauty of a human being - there is no need for the exaggeration and it is great. I also completely disagree with Jerry - the photo is great that way it is and there is no need to bring out more detail (nor can I, on my screen, see the details that Claudia is talking about and that is a good thing too). The only minus point in my eyes is that the line of her left arm is still visible. That straight white line does not seem to fit in to anything else, but it is only a minor point simply because the first impression was, to quote Claudia "Wow!"

Perfect as it is. 

I like the photograph that you submited. Would not change it. Suprised that people thought that they know what you were thinking. Strange.

ditto,  keep it as it is.  I can understand those who'd like to see a slightly lighter shadow...  

Now, to create a bit of other controversy, how about if you cropped the image down from the top to a point about where her ear would be (just above the shoulder) ?

I like the original photograph as submitted too. There is a great deal of beauty in the lines and curvature along with the dark of the blacks and light tones.

Among my favorites.

Sincere Regards, Todd

I prefer the original:-)