Bruce Roscoe Loc: Arizona

I did this the other day. I almost forgot how easy it is to photography younger people since most of my clients are very old which has be editing for about three hours per client fixing eyes, working on wrinkles, skin tone, bags, and other facial features. It's a joy to photography the young now and then.

dljen Loc: Central PA

Very nice, Bruce. Her hair and skin tone have highlights and lowlights of both the chair and the musical instrument. You had a lovely model and did a great job with this.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I like the light and the mood you created. Very nice work.

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Your lighting is--as always--exquisite. There's no one on this site any better. But the image doesn't quite work for me. I have two problems with it.

First, without including the entire cello, we don't know that she's playing it. It appears to just be leaning against her. To play the instrument, she needs a hand on the frets/strings and a hand using a bow. If this shot has been cropped, you might consider at least including her arm and the bow.

Second, and partly relating to the first, she looks like she's blind, as we can't see anything to really justify a 'dreamy' mood or suggest the love of music, as there really isn't any music being shown for her to be listening to, just the upper part of a cello, which she is clearly not playing. Even if you caught a bit of a music stand, it would work better for me.

A beautiful portrait of the young lady, but I think in this case, the scene needs a touch more context and/or size. Just my opinion, of course.

Bruce Roscoe Loc: Arizona

Hello Treepusher--Thank you for your comment. I'll explain why I did what I did on this capture. My sitter is not playing the cello, the cello is in union with her. I didn't want her left hand on the cello because it would be showing the back of a female hand, which I try not to do. The eyes are closed on purpose, It would be like you getting ready to kiss your wife, your eyes would be closed in passion.

Bruce

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Thanks for your response, Bruce. First off, it's not my place to criticize this image, you're a far better photographer than I, and good of you to share your work with us without me opening my big mouth to render an opinion you may not want and certainly didn't ask for.

I understand completely what you're going for here--I've been known to close my eyes with the auditory delights of music myself. And I know some shots you don't get the chance to do over, you get what you get when you get it. It's a wonderful image as is.

But should you get a chance for a 'do-over,' I think your connection of enraptured beautiful lady to the music would be stronger/more obvious were she touching the instrument. Again, no disrespect intended, just my opinion and trying to be helpful.

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

Very nice photo Bruce.

IsoBob Loc: Hamilton, NJ

I have to agree with Treepusher, the cello looks as if it is just standing alone. It should be shown as an instrument being held or played. Just my observation of a very nice image.
Bob :) :)