The Shy Nude! (in b & w)

A natural in natural light.

Feedback appreciated.

I love it David, and the "shyness" makes it even more intriguing.  And the fact that she's bucked the trend and kept her beautiful bush, makes it even better as a piece of art!  Kudos!

I looked through this folder and realized you presented a color version of this image previously. Certainly all the elements I commented on then still apply. The photograph does feel stronger emotionally in B&W. The balance of light on the shadow side looks better to me in color. Here there is too much fill probably from the light walls where more contrast might have been better. In the end I do like both, for different reasons.

Mark's comment made me curious and I went and looked for the colour version. I agree that they are both good and I personally prefer this one. I was surprised that in the colour version there was not a greater difference in the tonal values of her left side and the wall behind her. Here they almost melt into one and to my surprise they seemed to do so even more in the colour version. In both cases I think that that is the one weakness of the photo - that little bit of her left side that it is almost lost because it starts to blend into the background (and that actually comes through better here in b/w.

The other thing that I would like to comment on is the fact that I usually do not like photos where the subject is trying to hide, as I am often afraid that someone is being forced into having their photo taken who does not want to have it taken. Strangely, I do not have that feeling here, it seems more playful than forced. I also really enjoy the pose and the beautiful way the hand stands out in front of the dark hair. Beautiful!

love this one.... great pose and use of natural light, awesome job

Except for it being a bit along the left upper arm it is hard to find any fault here. I love her position in the frame. The position of her right hand is fantastic. I have to go look for the color version.

-Bravo mate

Michael, It is good to know that you like this. Thanks for taking the time.

Mark, This is a little embarrassing. I 'thought' I had posted this before and I looked through my portfolio looking for it. I didn't see it. I thought that I must have posted it on another site. When I read your comment, I checked the folder again... and guess what? (See more below in my reply to Otto and Owen.)

Otto, Your comment is very interesting. (See my comment to Mark above.) The tonal range or lack thereof in the colour version is something I am aware of. Interestingly the black and white version was independently processed from the raw image. When I was processing this, I did think to blend part of her stomach with the wall. Reading the comments, I am glad that I didn't do that. Thanks for taking so much time with this one. I am not sure I (or the image) deserves it.

Niki, I do like this one myself. I am glad you like it. Thanks.

Owen, I fear your mind is like mine. (See my comment to Mark above.) This may be something to do with whisky. You have seen the colour version. You even commented on it. I even posted a slightly different black and white version as an attachment in my reply to your comment. Thanks a lot.

She really looks shy, by her body language but mainly because of her hands. Her hands expression are the axis of the atmosphere here. Very well done.

It is her hands I like most about this image. Thanks a lot.