"J" - hair stylist

This is a good friend and a talented hair stylist. Before I shot this, she protested that she "wasn't photogenic," so I set out to prove her wrong. This shot is unmanipulated except for a tighter crop...

Did I succeed? ;)

nice crop and u have succeeded ... carry on clicking ... greetings from Kolkata

...I hope she likes it and let you do a series! Excellent control of focus and depiction of her beautiful facial features. I like your recent portrait work alot. Your images have more sharpness and depth. Congratulations Mark. Best wishes to you. Regards, Kelvin.

yes, you have proven her wrong! like the composition, particularly the use of the curving hair o the right side. such a strong, beautiful face! a couple of things -- you might want to check out neat image, its software, there's a free downloadable demo that I use, that helps to smooth out the image a little, particularly if you sharpen, which it looks like you may have done a little here. also, i like to play with images like this in black and whites and with tints. it helps me manipulate the tonal ranges more, and its just fun to try.

I think it would have been nice to see more of her face on the left and top but like the portrait.

Biplab, Kelvin, Ben, Pauline, thank you all so much for your encouraging remarks :)

Your question regarding whether or not you succeeded has already been answered by others here, so I won't comment on that.

 

I think the crop is excellent, for one thing. For another thing, you have managed to capture strength, beauty, and personality...all in one shot. There is no need to "manipulate" this image in the computer because the reality of the shot says all that needs to be said. I would love to photograph this lady. My compliments.

While browsing your portfolio, this is the image that caught my attention. This is a bold and successful crop. It's not always easy to shoot a revealing portrait. So many of them look posed and cliche. Your portrayal of "J" rises above the crowd in the way the viewer gets a strong sense of a confident and determined personality. Nicely done!

Thank you very much for looking and commenting :) Your work is superb, which makes me feel humbled by your kind compliments on this photo...

Mark

Mark, that is a very nicely and original cropped image, There is something soft in her eyes, good dtails of her face fitures.really well done.

Mark- Standout image in all aspects (selective focus, exposure, composition and my favorite; a natural and un-imposing photographer behind the lens). This is probably the most important. Otherwise the people in front of our cameras are always responding to the impositions or pre-conditions we put off on them. I think the most successful images are those that let the subjects be themselves. Here you have succeeded mightily. One of the most famous of contemporary photographers is Margaret Bourke-White who also succeeds mightily when it comes to photographing people as themselves. You're probably familiar with some of her "Life Magazine" work? She stands as a testament of the times but passed away in 1971 due to Parkinson's disease. Check-out the link and see if you don't agree? This image has all the hallmarks too of letting people be people. Nice work.

wonderful portrait! simple, crisp, and ultimetely very powerful. The crop is perfect. great work!

Thanks again, Roshni, for popping in. Please stop by more often :)

Mark