Low Key Portrait of my Niece: What do you think? Should I include her hands or does the crop add to the mystery? This is a lower res file as I'm posting this from my iPhone. I shot...

TimS Loc: GA

What do you think? Should I include her hands or does the crop add to the mystery? This is a lower res file as I'm posting this from my iPhone.

I shot this using a single ice light and a canon 6D. Image transferred to my iphone. I edited it using photoshop express ever so slightly so this is pretty much SOOC.

(Download)

angler Loc: StHelens England

I like it very much,excellent shot.

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

add to what mystery??? I think the hands would be good addition.

TimS Loc: GA

angler wrote:

I like it very much,excellent shot.

Thank you. 😀

TimS Loc: GA

foathog wrote:

add to what mystery??? I think the hands would be good addition.

Is she smelling a flower or holding it? I struggled with whether to include them or not because the subject is her face. Because the rise had a long stem and it looked weird Her holding it towards the top, including her hands would've required including more of her body which wasn't well lit with the ice light as I had it fairly close to her head. I had to have it close to her as I shot this in a garage.

Sherman A1 Loc: St. Louis, MO

I believe it is a very good portrait and I would think her parents would be happy to hang it in their home. She is a lovely young lady.

cawoods

TimS wrote:

What do you think? Should I include her hands or does the crop add to the mystery? This is a lower res file as I'm posting this from my iPhone.

I shot this using a single ice light and a canon 6D. Image transferred to my iphone. I edited it using photoshop express ever so slightly so this is pretty much SOOC.

Lovely the way it is!!! Very nice lighting...

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

:thumbup: Very lovely just the way it is!

Dbez1 Loc: Ford City, PA

My vote is to leave it as is. I don't miss the hands. Nicely done!

Lenf Loc: Strasburg,PA

Very pretty!

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

TimS wrote:

Is she smelling a flower or holding it? I struggled with whether to include them or not because the subject is her face. Because the rise had a long stem and it looked weird Her holding it towards the top, including her hands would've required including more of her body which wasn't well lit with the ice light as I had it fairly close to her head. I had to have it close to her as I shot this in a garage.

Well, then you've answered your own question. I had no way of knowing that.

HLS45 Loc: Fairmont, WV

TimS wrote:

What do you think? Should I include her hands or does the crop add to the mystery? This is a lower res file as I'm posting this from my iPhone.

I shot this using a single ice light and a canon 6D. Image transferred to my iphone. I edited it using photoshop express ever so slightly so this is pretty much SOOC.

This portrait is perfect. Nothing should be added or removed.

Brooklynedgar

It is a lovely picture of a lovely youngster. You asked the always pertinent question. I would answer from a specific slant: I have been a stage director for more than half a century. Her face is real as well as relaxed and certainly not "overacting." Therefore: Include her hands. I believe from what you have presented thus far in the photo, the "gesture" of your photo will be articulated by just the right amount. Congratulations on a lovely representation of youth.
~Edgar Weinstock (Brooklynedgar@AOL.com)

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

This is a beautiful portrait just as it is. I would vote for no hands. Since you have technical reasons for the crop you used and it came out so well, just enjoy a job well done.

TimS Loc: GA

Thanks for the feedback.