dougityb

Shadow, or not, the line made by that branch (and its shadow) make significant contributions to the composition, and they're not wholly positive. That particular branch brings the eye down along the edge of the frame. The diagonal shadow (which we thought was a live trunk) splits the scene as it cuts a dark stripe down the brightness of the scattered sunlight. This makes the image more interesting, perhaps, because these imperfections challenge our perceptions, but I don't think the picture holds in the mind for very long. Is it a picture of light? Or of bricks? Or of an odd shadow? Each is given very nearly the same weight of importance, as I see it. Apparently, it has turned into a picture of the shadow. Better in my opinion, to visit this location at night with a saw, cut the branch off, and return the next morning for another try.

Erin, Thanks for all your comments.  What a surprise to see you here again. Looks like someone took some time off to start a family....

First of a new series glorifying the female form. All manner of

comments welcome

Thanks Kemil.  And your portfolio: Amazing!  Count me as your newest fan.

Another in the series. Do you think I should have cropped out the

darker band of stone at the very bottom, so the image would have been

cropped along the sunlit strip?

By the way, Simon and Bulent, I do appreciate your sharing your opinions.  While I disagree with them, I also accept their validity. They serve to push me harder towards finding a more effective combination of visual elements with which to convey my message. Maybe subsequent images in this ongoing series will make more sense.

Thanks Frank,

Not sure what you mean by "Overall, above the stairs, the lighting/colors/comp"   Is that a reference to the zig zags? Or just to everything else except the shadows?

Thanks Philip!  I think the wide dispersal of the orchids also helps, as if they're uncontrollably sprouting in every direction. 

Thanks, Les.  I'll check my procedure.  Using two installations of Photoshop on two computers separated by 20 miles is likely the cause.  They have different settings, I'm sure.  Also, the image was converted to CMYK for finishing, then converted to RGB when I Saved For Web.  So, I got some investigating to do....

Mark, thanks.  The purpose of us shooting together was to study the emotive qualities of her eyes, which she confessed needed to be strengthened.  I can't remember what thoughts we were focused on for this shot, but we would pick an emotion (frustration, anger, joy, empathy, etc), think about it, and shoot.   I think we'll be doing this again, so it will be interesting to see the differences between this, our first effort, and whatever else we come up with later on.  

Thanks Kallol

Les, I think her skin looks really good in your revision, but her hair looks green. That's easily fixed, though. What did you do?  And what do you mean by " odd 'untagged color space' "?

Gordon! thank you! I was beginning to lose hope.  

NO!  No, no, no! 

Before I delete this photograph, is there something "missing" from it?

The model is obviously beautiful, but there seems to be something

lacking.

No! I don't want to hear that!   

Thanks guys. A comparison of the ratings supports your opinion. 

hmmm, thanks Les. I'm not sure which problems your photoshopping has fixed, but I appreciate the effort.  I especially like the row of nails above her head. 

Do you have any thoughts on this outdoor extension of my Breaking Into

Blossom project?

Any thoughts on this photo? Do you like the contrast between the

rough, drab and linear wood, and the soft, colorful and curvy model?

Thanks Mark, thanks Tore. 

Mark, I agree with you about the missing fingers, they bother me and if I wasn't blown away by how beautiful she looks in this shot, I might not have selected it for finishing.  In your opinion, how much harm do they cause?  If everything else about the shot were a 10 out of 10, how much would this problem take away ?   I wish I could oblige you about the watermark/logo, but one can't see the back of the image on the Internet. :-) I agree also about the blue, although they liven up the color quite a bit.  Maybe I can reduce their saturation as a compromise...?  Interesting observation about the comparison between the tone of her face, and that of her chest. I think you're right. Obviously, I wanted her face lighter so it stood out more, but it does look perhaps a little too light. 

Thanks for taking so much time and care to share your thoughts. 

The wood slats have been corrected here by rotating the image, but now

AG is more perpendicular. Her angle in the previous image was more

dynamic. Was it worth it to correct the wood?

Alas...I live in Virginia, some 2 hours south of Washington, DC.  Found one of these on my lawn mower last week.