Seaside portrait

Nice and moody ..

She look like shes thinking of jumping in. Did she ?

I agree, Nice and moody.. I really like this one.

Very nice ..my kinda shot

that is really well done portrait!

I love it! As said before very moody.

Hi Anton:

I thought I would try to offer some comments on the various elements of your image that might be of some benefit to you.

First let me compliment you on your composition. Your subject is looking into the frame with more space in front of her than behind. Many people fail to do this and end up with the subject looking out of the frame. Not good as a general rule. You have positioned her in one of the golden intersections. In this case, the upper right for a very pleasing composition. Your camera position is a bit high but may have been necessary in order to avoid seeing a distracting horizon just above the water. You nicely caused the water to fall out of focus so that the subject is sharp against a soft background. This brings the subject forward and helps tells the viewer what to look at.

The slight darkening or vigenetting to the sides is pleasing but slightly more than I would have recommended. Make the effect beneficial but not obvious. In other words, do it but don’t let it be so strong that it draws attention to itself. Let it be just enough like a pinch of salt in a pot of soup.

The pose of the body is fair but I would like to see the body turned just a little so we are not looking as much through the shoulders from one to the other. This effect makes the body look thin and the head look disproportionately large. It is not a big problem for this portrait. Just a mild suggestion for a slight improvement.

The arms are ok but the hands both have some issues. The right hand has many spider leg fingers that are very busy and distracting. They are also brighter than the face. Not a good thing. Consider placing that hand on the leg just behind the knee allowing the pinky and ring finger to slip out of view behind the leg. This would simplify the hand and also look a bit more comfortable for the subject. The subject’s left hand is placed ok but I am a little troubled only seeing two or three finger tips. Again, not a major issue as this could be her way of keeping warm. I am just suggesting that you observe, consider and decide what looks best in all areas of the portrait before you press the button.

The lighting is fair but largely from overhead on what looks like an overcast day. The eye sockets are dark. If you had her raise her chin just a little, it might have allowed more light into the eye sockets. Also, a reflector cold have been used out in front of her to help open up the eyes just enough.

I have marked up a copy of your image with some of my observations. This includes concerns about the lock of hair coming out of the lower lip and the split profile.

Like I said, you have many good things going on here. With just a little extra observation and consideration, it would be an easy image to bring up to a higher level of excellence.
I hope this has been helpful for you. Feel free to write if I can help further,
Best wishes,

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Lighting Man's comments notwithstanding, I like this shot. Nicely done.

Excellent shot, and what a critique from Lighting man, lots of points to look at and learn from.

I really love this shot... I guess it's the mood. Thanks for sharing!

I like the mood of the shot as wel as the texture of the pier against the water. DOF and all I feel is great. Lightingman has a good point on the turning of the head to show less of the far side eye...

good photo. excellent critique lightning man.

Wow....nice shot and what a critique....I am new (back into) photography. Left when it was still film...and only dabbled in it then.... In 5 mins I have learned more from that then I have in 3 weeks of playing around.

Nice.

Great shot and some great pointers!!