Portrait for my front page

I wanted a dramatic portrait for my front page, pleased to hear your views.

Thanks

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I like it....

Thanks cjj

If I'm being honest, it is WAY too blown. There is no shape or texture left to her face at all, it just blends right in with the background. To me, dramatic would be having good areas of both highlights AND shadows to sculpt your subject's face and set the mood. This isn't working for me at all, sorry.

I wouldn't pick it but what are your other choices?
Doesn't do much to show off any photography skill.

I feel it looks more like a floating eyes and mouth I Think I understand what you were looking for in the sense of a high key portrait but wearing the dark shirt did not help that and then the highlights are just blown so it doesn't come across as a nice piece more of an over exposed photo. I agree with Lisa that this would be better with highlights and shadows.

LisaJH wrote in post #11697788
If I'm being honest, it is WAY too blown. There is no shape or texture left to her face at all, it just blends right in with the background. To me, dramatic would be having good areas of both highlights AND shadows to sculpt your subject's face and set the mood. This isn't working for me at all, sorry.

Shockey wrote in post #11697799
I wouldn't pick it but what are your other choices?
Doesn't do much to show off any photography skill.

Slaterza wrote in post #11698164
I feel it looks more like a floating eyes and mouth I Think I understand what you were looking for in the sense of a high key portrait but wearing the dark shirt did not help that and then the highlights are just blown so it doesn't come across as a nice piece more of an over exposed photo. I agree with Lisa that this would be better with highlights and shadows.

Thanks for the input, here is a tamed down version

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I like them both. It just depends on the look you are trying to present. I'd probably prefer the second w/ more contrast. You aren't going to please all of us!

I like the toned down version, but I do find the black stripe of the shirt distracting. Good job!

THe second is a ton better than the first. Throw some noise reduction on the 2nd and it will be even better.

Agreed, a little NR on the shirt, and it's a great one! The subtlety of the wrinkles around the mouth and shadows around the cheek bones just add that much more to the shot.

I like the 2nd one way better

The second is much better. The image doesn't seem very crisp to me. Lots of noise on the black areas too

I like them, I actually really like the first one more for a site front page

Not bad, although I think there's probably too much noise for a front page photo.