Outstanding. I would like to see how you would handle a full length portrait as all the challenges become, well, much more challenging. I know you are up to the task!

Dear Starving Artist, I have enjoyed your work every time you post, I wish it were more often. This shot is no exception, interesting, thought provoking, well done, erotic, fun, unexpected . . .

Wow, great suggestions, thank you all! Now I know what I’ll be doing later today. Not quite sure I totally understand dpullum’s comment, though. It’s always interesting how seeing images through others eyes helps me see things I haven’t seen before. Thanks again!

I think this is on the other end of the scale, Rob Engs studded perfection is on one end, and this whimsical, fun shot is on the other. Both the OP and the model deserve kudos, the OP for posting something so different and unexpected, and the model for being her most nasty self (and I don't mean that in a negative way), and showing the world the most amazing human tongue I've seen since I was about 30! Lighten up hogs, this wasn't meant to be, and isn't, a competitor to Rob Eng's amazing work.

Is there anything more beautiful than an undraped beautiful woman? I still wanna be you when I grow up.

Rob, once again, I wanna be you when I grow up. Great shot.

You'll find that retirement is way over-rated, especially for someone with your skills. Most impressive photo, so get busy, post, post, post your work. This sections NEEDS someone with your skills, not only to post your work but to offer critiques on the work of others so we can all learn. Welcome to the hogs, actually a pretty benign group with a wide range of experience, skills and opinions.

I like the camera, but want to get a better lens than the kit lens it came with and I'm thinking about the new Sigma 24/70 f2.8, I've read the reviews, everything from great lens for the money to don't waste your money. The lens looks like it's larger than the camera, which is OK with me, as long as the lens performs really well.

Anybody have any experience with this combo and a recommendation to make?

yup, that's the Vatican behind this friendly looking fellow. At least the guards get to drive Alfa's to work. I guess that they have become more reliable than they used to be (the Alfa's, not the guards). Loved Italy.

I haven't submitted anything lately, but felt the attached photo was needing some suggestions for improvement from the hogs that offer helpful criticism.

Unlike some of the immature responses above, I think you deserve credit for posting photos that are different than the usual. You take chances, you’re creative and your photos give me ideas. Sometimes I like what you post, sometimes I don’t, but I don’t like my own stuff all the time either. So thanks for posting an ongoing stream of thought provoking work.

Nice effort! Low key, relaxed, no distractions, well posed and a beautiful model. No suggestions for improvement, even, other than to see the color version.

Wow, wow, wow, I don’t often comment on photos in this section but this one deserves a standing ovation. Creative, well processed, beautiful model, well posed, and with her erect left nipple just a little naughty. Perfect!

Pismo is one of my favorite places along the Central California coast. There’s a ‘downtown’ area that’s about 2 blocks long and about 2 blocks wide usually inhabited by wondering tourists and some locals. There’s a pier to walk to, actually connected to the west end of ‘downtown’, about a mile or so north of ‘downtown’ but still in the residential area, is a little island, maybe an acre in size maybe 50 yards off shore where literally thousands of pelicans gather for tea and crumpets (or whatever pelicans gather for) and can provide interesting photo-ops, especially with a longer lens. A very small town about 10 miles north of Pismo is Avilla Beach (exit off the 101 at the sign and head west). If you really want to get more of a feeling of a sea coast town, complete with fishing fleet, go west on Highway 1 from San Louis Obispo to Morrow Bay and wander to find interesting things to photograph. About 30 miles north of Morrow Bay is Cambria, a few miles north of Cambria is the world famous Hearst Castle which you can get glimpses of from the road, and about 5 miles north of that is the elephant seal mating area, that’s a very ‘g’ rated attraction, in case you were wondering, but you can get to within about 10 yards away, safely, because the seals are on the beach and you’re above on a little cliff the seals can’t climb. Anywhere you go, you will have tons of interesting things to photograph, parking is rarely an issue, traffic is almost non-existent and the people are friendly. Have a great time.

Paul Simon, in his song ‘The Boxer’ from the 60’s said “all lies and jests, but a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest”

It’s hard to believe that this ‘Bullshirt’ is going on in my beloved America. All these lies and exaggerations are making our fragile democracy even more fragile.