insight
by flaherma

Comment by 2mccs:
This extreme close up with the closed eye is mesmerizing. One of my favorites in the challenge.

insight
by flaherma

Comment by JakeKurdsjuk:
Powerful from the moment I saw it. The mismatched earrings complete the dichotomy of serenity (ignorance?) and enlightened consciousness. Top of the heap for me.

insight
by flaherma

Comment by NiallOTuama:
possibly i would have added textures and reduced the sharpness. but i love the image. very face on! great work.

a steamed shrimp
by flaherma

Comment by gintay:
very creative (y)

insight
by flaherma

Comment by mariuca:
This image is fascinating. Somehow in the same way as some of Sally Mann's photographs - at the limit of comfort.
I stared so much at it and that my head spins.
In layman's term, yes, it's a 10
But I have tens of questions. This is art
Congratulations

insight
by flaherma

Comment by bob350:
Disturbing, haunting, mysterious feeling, with ambiguity supporting any number of interpretations yet leaving our questions unanswered. One eye closed, mismatched earrings, skin imperfections, close up perspective - all contribute to a sense of somehow intensified reality.

insight
by flaherma

Comment by ubique:
I'm just reflecting on how much more interesting this is for having the one eye closed (but not a wink), versus having both eyes open. That doesn't seem quite fair does it? That eye-closed is interesting and provoking, and definitely art, while eye-open in the otherwise identical picture would be nothing much to seize the attention, and merely a bold photograph. So does that difference illustrate the difference between art and not art? I say it does. Because the point of art ΓΆ€“ or at least one point of art ΓΆ€“ is to do the expected in an unexpected way. And you have done that. It engages and provokes, it crackles with invisible lines of force; it transcends by a country mile all the tacky faux-McCurry exotic veils and so forth. I assume that you asked her to close one eye, and yet I am entirely ready to believe that you didn't; that she simply requires one eye closed the better to see you with, my dear. Thank you.

insight
by flaherma

Comment by MeMex2:
what a fabulous face! It is a brilliant portrait...looks very Celtic to me.

insight
by flaherma

Comment by kiwinick:
pretty inscutable expression

a steamed shrimp
by flaherma

Comment by Cyrilda:
Elegance.