Rick36203 Loc: Northeast Alabama

My grand-daughter/model is not overly fond of this fairly recent image, but it is one of my favorites. Realizing that my proud grandpa bias definitely exists, I will seek your honest opinions. When I try to critique my own image I see that I could have moved back ever so slightly, and not chopped off a hand. Also, the background separation flash may be a little hot on the lower right side. And I know my model’s right eye is slightly larger than the left. I tried to compensate for that with the pose angle. What else did I miss?

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I think your own critique is pretty much on the money. I actually don't see a problem with cutting off the hand. It is not a focus point of the composition and the expression and lighting of the face is very good. I like it.

Heirloom Tomato Loc: Oregon

Portraits are not my forte, but I do like this one. I don't see anything at all that needs to be changed. The lighting is good, the pose, expression, color, props, all good!

Paul B. Loc: North Carolina

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Bushpilot Loc: Minnesota

A fine photograph of a beautiful young lady, the main element that bothers me is that finger protruding up from the bottom of the image.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Where in the world did you ever find a white and gold ROTARY phone?

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

This picture has great merit and great possibilities. The exposure is nailed. There is crisp detail everywhere. The pose and expression are terrific. I agree with you that it is probably cropped too tightly for what is included. I just took my hand and masked off the bottom of the picture up to the bustline and believe that works better. I think you can lose the telephone itself since the handset tells the story. Either that or pull back to show the whole phone and hand, but it doesn't work as well in this in-between crop.

I don't think the background light is too hot. Unless you light the background with two big barndoored lights from each side you're going to get a hotspot. This one is not overhot and it doesn't bother me at all. What I think would really improve the picture would be a less distracting dress. My eye keeps going from her marvelous face and eyes back to the very bright, busily flowered dress. It looks wonderful on her! But I suspect a solid color would work better, perhaps even a yellow or ivory to blend with the hat and phone. I don't know how tricky it would be in post to at least tone it down. It remains a terrific, wonderful picture that she hates because she's a teenager :lol: .

Rick36203 Loc: Northeast Alabama

Thank you ebrunner, Heirloom Tomato, Paul B., and Bushpilot for viewing and commenting.

Rick36203 Loc: Northeast Alabama

My wife likes to collect props at yard sales and flea markets. I believe she found this phone and another much older and uglier phone at one of those combination flea market/antique malls. Thanks for viewing.

Rick36203 Loc: Northeast Alabama

Thank you Chuck for your kind comments, detailed evaluation and suggestions.

smcaleer Loc: Dearborn Heights, Michigan

I agree that you could crop at the bust line and it would still work. I'm not a portrait person, but I really think you did a great job with this one. I think the lighting is great.

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

The photo is a grabber, the subject is attractive, the colors are nice, the exposure is good, and the image imparts a bouncy joy and playfulness. Well done. 8-)

RichieC Loc: Adirondacks

Want to see something funny? Ask her to dial that thing- I have found kids have a difficult time with working it! I get a kick out of that for some perverse reason.

Photo and pose is great. Hat looks stunning! ( so does she by the way) Perhaps a bit of bounced subtle soft fill on the shadow side, like a circular reflector or similar- perhaps a rim light. But this is nit-picking.

:thumbup:

Rick36203 Loc: Northeast Alabama

Thanks for viewing and commenting. After earlier suggestions this is the crop I saved. Again, Thanks.

Rick36203 Loc: Northeast Alabama

Thank You.