Size Isn't Everythingby
riotComment by strangeghost: Greetings from the Critique Club
by strangeghost
The first three parts of this critique are written based purely on examination of your photo. "Final thoughts" is written after reviewing your score, photographer's comments, and voter comments.
TECHNIQUE
Very cleanly focused and sharp. I think the backlight is wonderful and love the flat black background. l think that even more careful attention to lighting would have paid off. The woman's face is not as brightly lit as the man's, which, coupled with her hair, tends to hide her features a little too much. Great job managing the colors though: skin tones are beautiful as are the muted colors of the clothing.
COMPOSITION
The arms are steeply tilted in her direction, which may be a way of indicating that she's winning the contest, but for me, it would be more effective if the composition were perfectly symmetrical: faces on the edge looking in, with the clasped hands dead center, staring into each others' eyes. As hot, it has an unbalanced look from the standpoint of the slanted arms, as well as the fact that his facial expression is full of meaning and emotion, while her face is largely hidden, though it looks as though she's looking down at the hands or table. I would probably also have experimented with a tighter crop. As shot, I love the fact that his face is the focal point of the photo. He's got a look of amused determination that is priceless.
EMOTIONAL IMPACT
This is a shot that has boundless emotional potential that is only partially tapped. As suggested above, more exposure on their faces and careful attention to composition would have improved this shot considerably. As it is, I like it a lot, but can see that it could have been much, much more.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I'm glad you included the fact, in your photographer's comment, that you were intentionally aiming to get the clasped hands on a third. That explains the symmetry I noted above, though I think I still like my idea of perfect symmetry more - seems in keeping with the challenge theme. You also noted the problem of her face, which I full agree with as well.
I love the fact that people loved your lighting, I like it as well. People also had some different takes on the composition - it just goes to show that you had a great idea and got people thinking with your take. Nice score too, but I bet you would have pushed 6+ if you'd really nailed the composition and gotten right into the faces. Nice shot. I enjoyed studying it very much! 
Photographer found comment helpful.