geris_k

Verna, this pic is fantastic. There's nothing I'd change regarding your approach. However, the make-up application just isn't quite there. This may be the look you were trying to capture. But, it seems to me that the make-up is just too transparent, too blotchy. Maybe you weren't looking for the geisha girl look, but still, this picture would have been so much stronger if the make-up was opaque and applied in a more consistent manner.

This was originally taken in color, but it just didn't seem to have

any "snap." I converted it to B&W. Also, I tried to add

some "digital bokeh" to try and add some focus on the part that's

still sharp.

I like this portrait so much...except for the frame. I find it distracting. It doesn't add anything to help me understand her or what she's thinking about. You've captured her beauty so well, but lose the frame......please.

Liva,

 

I've enjoyed your work!!! I'm going to Vilnius in Lithuania in November, so I was interested in seeing work from fellow Balts. Your work has me really excited.

 

About this picture...it's a fine shot. I do a lot of street photography myself. I think it could have been better if you would have stooped down a little. It's taken from the photographer's eye level. You'd get the viewer so much closer to the subject by taking the shot at the subject's eye level.

You know, I was just printing this photo today and thinking along the same lines. As you can see from your crop, it becomes a pseudo-panoramic. I have a few of these from the 20mm lens, but I'm trying very hard not to do it. I'm trying to use the full atmosphere that this lens allows you to capture.

 

Thanks for the comment! More to think about, next time!

I don't think she is "sad" at all. She's contemplative. I find people's reaction to this photo, and your series in general, to be weird...

 

I don't see a problem with focus. In fact, I see a perfectly exposed photo where the photographer made a decision about DOF and applied it judiciously. Her face looks very crisp...and if there are any deficiencies, I don't know that you could see them from a jpeg.

 

I also agree that a bridal shot does not need a picture of her husband to make this shot stand on its own.

Looks like it is a bit overexposed. Maybe 1/2 to 2/3 of a stop.

 

I think it would have been stronger if you included a bit more sky. Cutting off the tree at the top bothered me a little.

 

One of the problems with the scene -- and I've struggled with this in many of my B&W landscapes -- is that it's an overcast day lacking any clouds or sky definition. This is definitely a shot that calls out for a filter. It also would have helped to give a little more definition to the water. An orange (or maybe a red) filter would have really helped this shot.

I like shots like this of old windows and buildings that are but a shadow of what they once were.

 

On this one, here are a few thoughts. The keystone bothers me a bit. I wish the lines were a little straighter. I think this is a subjective comment, so you might like it this way. But, I find it a bit distracting.

 

You might also have framed it a bit too tight. You have a good exposure...good greys and nice shadows. It's a little "confusing" that it's framed in that lighter color (is that stucco?). It may have worked a little better if you stepped back a bit and inclucded more of this lighter color. I think it needs a bit more information to give it a sense of scale.

I like the shot. Her eyes are very powerful. I wish you would have been able to get a little more of her chin, but maybe this puts more focus on here eyes.

 

I wish the picture had a little more contrast. Is this little girl blond? I would have like to see the hair a bit lighter, the darks a bit darker...

 

Did you try one of these with fill flash? It can be tough because the N65 doesn't have flash compensation, and it's usually a bit too hot. I'm just curious if you tried any.

Wow!!! Lovely shot. I like the semi-formal composition with her stroking her hair like that. The two are at odds with each other and that leaves me with the feeling that you've captured her true beauty -- both a formal, classic sense, and an easy-go type of person to be around.

I liked the square format. Was this a fleeting moment? Or were you watching the cat for a while? I thought it looked very spontaneous. I liked the see-through basket and morning light shining through. I also thought the the cat's pupils and highlights were really neat. It's pictures like this that make you believe that they have souls, too.

The background does look odd. Like when I sometimes try to add fake bokeh in Photoshop. (I don't do that anymore.) Also, if it's due to sampling problems, it's kind of weird that it just affected the background.