75 Count Pittsburgh Tissues
by JoanieP

Comment by alanfreed:
I have that box in my car as we speak!

Alexa
by JoanieP

Comment by sarampo:
Hi Joan, greetings from the Critique Club!

Regarding your shot, there are some things that puzzle me, but I think I can try and figure them out :)

Composition
You should have focused more on the face and hand, since the top portion of her dress distracts a bit on the left bottom. Also, you could have a little more breathing space at the top, as to include more of the model.

Technique / lighting
The thing that was strange, is how at f/5.6 you had such shallow DOF, and then I realized you were at the long end of your lens, in the maximum aperture. This, make it very soft an image, because at maximum aperture the image tends to be a bit softer. Also, 1/6 of a second led to blurring of the flower, that seem like jpg artefacts, you could have boosted the ISO a bit. Remember, you can fix noise in PP but not a blurry photo.

Processing
Great skin tone rendering, very warm tones on the lips, hair and skin. The green is a bit dark and flat, and since it was advanced editing could be taken care of.

Still, your shot was among the voters average score, and it did ok in such a tough challenge.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me.
Regards,
Joao

Alexa
by JoanieP

Comment by LevT:
technically a good portrait, but I am not sure I like the concept of replacing a beautiful eye with a dumb flower

Alexa
by JoanieP

Comment by Ja-9:
not sure what it is but her face isn't sharp and clear in the focus.

Alexa
by JoanieP

Comment by hotpasta:
good, but a tighter crop would work better...I just don't think you made the most of Alexa's beauty in this shot. I like the flower thing, but this the composition lacks creativity 6

" Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes "
by JoanieP

Comment by DelRioPhoto:
I like what you tried to accomplish here. I think the lighting is just a little harsh for really making this work. I'm sure you had the right idea in your head. I think changing the angle of the light source would have helped and possibly softening the light a little bit and maybe even toning it down. Nice effort. You were on the right track. Keep up the practice. You will nail it soon!

" Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes "
by JoanieP

Comment by lissylou:
the wear on the bottom of the shoe is distracting. I think a new pair of shoes would work better for this or maybe black and white so you don't notice the scratches as much.

Father Cain
by JoanieP

Comment by bvlindalou:
this must be a large church! wow your lighting is great

Father Cain
by JoanieP

Comment by Ja-9:
you have an excellent composition, but your lighting/exposure is off (I think) it seems hazy to me

Father Cain
by JoanieP

Comment by TrollMan:
Could have been more contrasty but good crop and content 6