B&W

i can't undestand.... rate 1? bah! never heard of high key? jewelry and clothes? I do not understand .... I like this photo

A great moment caught once again, filled with mood and personality. Bravo my friend .. 

.. and a highly underrated photo so far in my opinion. Portraiture is not only about aperture and composition, both being excellent here, it is most importantly about recording character and conveying some sort of message. 

" Portraiture is not only about aperture and composition, both being excellent here, it is most importantly about recording character and conveying some sort of message. "  I quoted John Peri and I agree with most of his statement.  The main definition missing from this discussion is the word FASHION.  Be it a fashion or portrait shot this image lacks impact for me.  In my mind a portrait has to show a significant portion of the face and a fashion shot has to involve clothing or jewelry.  I would rate this image a 3 for the portrait category because technically, while the image appears blasted, the contrast is such that some darker tones do an okay job of eye detail.  The stray hairs on her right side look messy.The only thing that keeps me interested in this image is that others have come to defend it.  I am a wedding and portrait photographer and I am sure I have plenty to learn about what makes for a good fashion shot.  I cannot learn from general statements and patronizing comments---please be specific.  So I ask anyone who would critique this image to tell what you see in the character of her face and the message and purpose of this image.  We don't have to agree but we should have to explain our point of view and why we feel an image is worthy of a particular score.

niki barbati----I know there are different flavors of high-key and this look was developed back in the 1980s by Trish Perrin for her version of glamour portraiture. I am an RGB freak in that I have a hard time with 255, 255, 255, face tones which are the same as sunlight reflecting off a chrome hubcap. I like most high key portraits that preserve skin texture and hair separation from the background. This image does not qualify for my taste. Everyone is entitle to their artistic preferences but please be more specific in telling us why you like what you like artistically. Thank you.

Hi Bob,

Nice work using the Nikkor 180 at F/2.8. This is where the lens is best used.

As for all the preference business, that is fine, since everyone is entitled to state what they like or dislike.

Fortunately for me, I can accept an enormous range of imagery (preference), as I am technically oriented. In optics, and the science of photography there are no opinions, only facts. That is my expertise.

Best Regards, Mike

My dear friend,

Merry christmas and happy new year.Best regards

Thank you everyone so much for taking the time to comment  :)