Behind the Veil
by bennettjamie

Comment by tanguera:
While the technicals are all there (great light, good color, tonal range, etc.), there are some details that don't work, and as others have mentioned in the thread, it is far from an original idea.

The details I refer to, and I am being picky, are the texture of the wrap, the way it cuts off her camera left eye, showing too much forehead, stray hairs on the right, etc.

These "classic" images really have to be off the wall perfect or bring something different to them in order to rise above the clutter.

Behind the Veil
by bennettjamie

Comment by ArnaMarie:
I saw your request for comments. I think you may have made it really hard for yourself to get a high score, as this image is similar to "a shot" that has been done extremely well many times before. I think what separates your image from the others is that the eyes are not as distinct in yours. I think adding a bit of color, for example a little green, could make the eyes pop a bit more. Or at least just adding a dark line around the iris, if you are not into manipulating the model's features. Two DPC-images that came to mind when I saw your image, which instantly draws me in due to the focus on the eyes is
by MAK and
by kiwiness
Both have very vibrant eye color and an enhanced dark line around the iris

Behind the Veil
by bennettjamie

Comment by JakeKurdsjuk:
Responding to your request for feedback, I don't know that I can help you understand why it didn't do better. It's a brilliant portrait. If I'm being picky I might have fixed the mascara fleck below her left eye, and perhaps removed the red spot by the eye brow. But again, I'm being picky. I did not vote this time, but if I had it would have been a 7 for me, maybe an 8. Free studies tend to be a wallpaper show and shots like this are often tragically under-rewarded.

Behind the Veil
by bennettjamie

Comment by clickodak:
Top 3 Amazing portrait. It is wonderful. Give 10

Behind the Veil
by bennettjamie

Comment by MeMex2:
fabulous portrait !!!

Seeing The Light
by bennettjamie

Comment by JakeKurdsjuk:
For me this was lost between a candid and a portrait without grabbing me as either. It's a nice pose with good lighting and is well processed. But shot at f16 there's nothing that's out of focus, so my eye is constantly being pulled to that wall of clippings. Pull her away from the wall a bit and open up the aperture. The far away look is nice if I don't think she's staring a the guy in the red shirt. Personally I might have given her a little light from the back-right as well. Nice shot, but nothing that grabbed me, particularly in a free study.

Seeing The Light
by bennettjamie

Comment by Sisto:
I gave you a "7" cause I like the portrait, the model and the composition. Maybe for someone could be too hot the tonality of incarnate but in this case I find it perfect.
Other expression to obtain a better result

Seeing The Light
by bennettjamie

Comment by markwiley:
I like the portrait, but I guess I would reiterate what Tate said. The technicals are good. I think you have a very pretty model that is very nicely lit, and it is well exposed and processed. I think a more lively expression and/or a more dynamic pose might have helped.

Seeing The Light
by bennettjamie

Comment by tate:
The image is well done and many voters seemed to find it better than average (mostly 6). As for a portrait, it is sharp and well-lt. I am left wondering what it would look like with more commitment on the emotion (is she sorrowful, happy, pensive, it is hard to tell) - and what it would look like with no teeth showing and a more expressive emotion.

Score-wise I would say it did pretty well for a standard portrait that isn't really telling any sort of story.

Seeing The Light
by bennettjamie

Comment by bvy:
Nice though the "canoes" in the eyes detract slightly.