fxt

Stephan - thank you for your reply.  You allude to similar images done by others which are  technically superior, but yet you don't elaborate.  It is precisely that feedback I seek.  I will not stray from the nudes, nor the black or moody background  as  strangely enough I characterize each of my images to be "hauntingly" beautiful.  

Thanks to All for your insight. I am not sure that I was asking how to become a better photographer as much as I was specifically asking what elements I could introduce to my photographs that would give it an improved quality, or to be more precise - what are my images lacking? Is it safe to say "everything",  which one could address by studying what the notable photographers are doing (which is what i thought I was doing) , or as an example, one member commented (on another one of my images) that I may be relying too heavily on the black backgrounds, and so the issue of a more dynamic background was introduced.  While I may have used the average scores from this site metaphorically, regardless of personal biases there is some degree of credibility associated with 30 ratings consistently returning "average" scores - hence my inquiry. Thanks again for your insight.

John , thank you for your insight.  There is no question that the black background has become a crutch for me as I have been using it for close to 8 years now and I think I am just starting to get the hang of it.  A more varied  background, whether be it fixed or more dynamic is surely my next stepping stone and should add a little more "spice" to my images.  For what its worth, my inquiry of how to get my work to a "5" was as much speaking metaphorically as it was directed to the actual results from this site. Nevertheless your advice was well suited.  So, thank you again.

Many of my images, like this one, are averaging a rating in the mid to

high 4's on this site. I am seeking advice on how to improve the

average score of my images. If you wouldn't mind taking a quick

glance at some of my other images - I don't believe any have broken

the 5.0 mark.

Many Thanks.

Many of my images, like this one, are averaging a rating in the high

4's on this site. I am seeking advice on how to improve the average

score of my images. If you wouldn't mind taking a quick glance at

some of my other images - I don't believe any have broken the 5.0 mark.

Many Thanks.

Scott - thank you for your critique and adjustment on the image.  I have to admit that aesthetics was not the focal point of this as she was literally dancing when this image was snapped ( ie: her necklace is askew as well) . I will continue to look at your version and compare, but appreciate the extra effort!

Ray - thanks for the comment.  I agree about the elbow, but the image still had enough going for it.  Best wishes.

Thank You Khurshid.  I am not exactly sure what you mean by "low key" lighting.  One of the characteristics of this image which I find most appealing is how evenly the light falls on her face - it creates a rather serene mood.  But please elaborate and I am willing to create alternate versions.

love this image .. hope you dont mind but I cloned out the white fabric which sticks out at the bottom just to see how it appears.  What do you think?

just love this model .. very nice job as this image really captures her raw sexuality !!

Thanks for he comment Ken.  May I ask why? I was hoping to bring in a little more color, and as the feather had a blue cast to it, I just thought to bolster it a bit so that it popped. 

Dave , thanks for your message.  And in no way am I disavowing my own typical purist sentiments, but was just trying to make this image a little more interesting by introducing the box concept.  Fact is, without the box, this is a so-so image.

Starvy , thanks for your comments.  This is another one of my images that I like as a whole but clearly has room for improvement .  I am not sure about expanding the crop as the models position is vertical, and an expanded crop might look a bit superfluous (a tad cliched)  - but I will give it a try.  I do notice the the whiter legs ( I didn't before)  , and will correct that.  Look for a repost of this image soon.

Maurizio, thank you for your comments.  That happens a lot with my pictures.  It just goes to show how wonderfully diverse this community is, and it makes me strive harder to arrive at similar ratings as some of the more celebrated contributors of this site.

yes, there is a god.

absolutely stunning !

Antonio - you know Mandy ?  That's great !  I shot with her in NYC last year, what a wonderful woman.

This girl is eye candy if I ever have seen it - for the "professionals" of this site who take offense to such language, I might suggest that artists call it like they see it, thats the whole freakin POINT!    As far as the lip-ring goes, I was thinking to myself what a perfect image if not for the lip-ring.  Nothing against her right to wear one, or what it may or may not suggest about her, but nothing Photoshop couldn't cure should you choose to.

A wonderful image but i might caution you on the accuracy of the reflection.  There seems to be two sets of arms and legs in the reflection.  Also, the reflection is evenly lit from top to bottom .. a naturally occurring reflection would not have that characteristic , it would be stronger where the body met, and less so the further away.

absolutely stunning !!  excellent imagery .

Grazie Paolo

Thanks AK and Michael.  I am not planning to re-shoot this so I am looking at this image in terms of how retouching can make the difference.  Michael your suggestion of making it less flat was helpful, and I have touched it up again and created better contrast.  See attached image.

Thanks to all that have commented.  I appreciate the support.

Jerry, I struggled with this image for a while, but in the end I felt that the image had enough going for it - ie: her beauty and serene facial expression- to offset the position of her foot.  The key question I always ask is  - does this image "work" for me?  In the end , it did - but do agree with you that attention to detail is what makes for more perfect imagery.