BobSandford

great use of dof and clarity of subject. it does look a bit oversaturated on my calibrated monitor but that seems to be the fashion. you might consider less saturation on the background to maintain focus on the subject.

absolutely delightful. her smile is complemented by the somewhat high key treatment.

excellent storytelling. nothing is wasted - every technical aspect contributes. well done

i'm having both a strong tactile and visceral reaction to this. the tight crop is unusual and effective like the walls of a pressure cooker barely containing the intensity of the figure and the radiating lines. the tones are well-managed making the figure stand out just the right amount. nicely done all around.

extraordinary. simultaneously both real and imaginary.

composed with the utmost care. fabulous. certainly print-and-frame worthy.

great balance between light and dark - fits the subject's mood and photo title. to me, the arm on the left adds nothing topically or compositionally. i would crop it out. you might also add more black to the right to balance out the composition and add "contemplative space" - a sort of visual room for her sadness.

I see it as a as a portrait in a loose sense in that every photo implies the see-er and in that objects gather a "world" - meaning that objects express and imply the subject who chooses them. The subject is very much present here.

I'll agree. a highly effective character portrait. she has amazing presence.

beautifully, artfully done, beautiful model.

very distinctive and personal work. nothing generic or impersonal about it. her character shines through clearly as to be captivating. also John's treatment of the eyes adds a nice touch to an excellent portrait. - interesting that you should put this in the Pre-Raphaelite folder given that it strikes me as being too intimate and individual to be iconic or archetypal.

fascinating how the pose and lighting complement the geometry of her face. nice choice of color too.

photography may be your medium but you have the heart of a painter. powerful subject matter beautifully executed.

awesome treatment. conveys the cold very well.

way to cut 'em loose.

the composition, lighting, expression all work together well. nice work.

superb composition. nothing extraneous - everything contributes to the story.

interesting choice of framing - the background objects are off center while the main subject is centered - a perfect echo of the subject whose pose is dynamic and whose expression is peaceful.

the toning and lens distortion for me evoke a visceral reaction to the space- making it seem both kinesthetic and archetypal.

great abstract. i like the compositional balance, choice of tonal range, and lines.

excellent composition.

great atmosphere and texture. i would try it as black and white.

very nice self portrait. the intensity of your gaze is quite striking. i like how so many of the lines lead to your face. at first I wondered about the crop - if maybe there was too much area in the lower portion of the image. then i realized the line of your hair isn't as effective cropped higher. i suggest experimenting with your B&W conversion, darkening the sweater so it doesn't compete so much with your face. Thanks for sharing your work. I always enjoy seeing what you're up to.

another gripping piece. Freud wrote of how "primary process" - the raw material of dreams - is at work when we are awake as well. your work bridges the supposed gap between dream and waking life through vivid symbolic imagery. i think part of the power of this piece (and much of your work) is in its ability to make us feel viscerally the stuff of dreams.

beautifully composed. the contrast of textures/tones and the slight dominance of the major branch - well done.