Learning to Light
by ShutterPug

Comment by ShutterPug:
hbunch7187: First of all, thank you for taking the time to critique this image.

I agree that the flame is a little bit pixeled in the orange part. I did not manipulate the flame at all so I am not sure how it happened or how to correct it the right way.
As for the border, it shows up as orange on my monitor - the same color as the orange in the flame. I actually picked the color from the image on the screen (flame)when I was working on this.
I received another comment on the flame being too hot, or too bright. I did not think it was at the time, but agree now that is could have been a little more subdued.

Thanks again,
Linda

Hari Kiri ?
by ShutterPug

Comment by NikkiB:
The hair falling over the face here means you can't see any facial expression which i think would have been benificial to this picture.

Learning to Light
by ShutterPug

Comment by HBunch:
*Critique Club*

I think this is a neat image. I like the simplicity of it. The lighting on the book is neat. I can read the words "Learning to Light" However, can't read the othe words, which I am assuming is the author? I wish I could see them better, although I think that's just because they are smaller than the title.
I like the green color of the book.
The flame is a bit blown out, just a little too bright. Also I see some pixelation in the orange part of the flame. Not sure what caused that, or how to fix it. Actually, not even sure it shows up for anyone but me since no one else commented on it, but I do see it, and it does look a bit odd.
The dark area on the candle is a distraction since it blends in with the background so well. I would like to have seen the candle turned to a side where you couldn't see, or could barely see that black area.
The border is nice. Not overpowering. Curious as to why you picked the tan color as it doesn't appear to be in the photo. It does work though. As I said, it's not too strong and doesn't distract from the image at all.
This is a neat image for the challenge. It doesn't have a huge visual appeal, nothing to really make it jump out at me and make me stare at it for a long time, but it is technically well done and interesting.
~Heather~

Hari Kiri ?
by ShutterPug

Comment by ergo:
FYI: That's not how it's spelled, women would wear white when committing seppuku, and women would use a small knife and got for a slash across the throat, and only the men would go for the three abdominal cuts before the second beheads. Japanese swords don't have tassels. As an image, the lighting is poor, the tan line where the watch usually is is distracting, and this could benefit from more contrast. On a personal level, I find this distasteful, and an image that orientalizes and trivializes something that in the context of Japanese history has deep spiritual and societal meanings and connotations. If this is meant as a joke, it's not funny. 1

Hari Kiri ?
by ShutterPug

Comment by ninja:
This is a decision, i think it'll be better to change the background and more saturated. :-)

Hari Kiri ?
by ShutterPug

Comment by chesire:
Base: 5
Technical: 0 ( would like to see her face, the emotion/decision process)
Subjective: 0
Challenge:

Total: 5

Hari Kiri ?
by ShutterPug

Comment by JunieMoon:
Nice studio shot. I think if the wrinkles weren't so prevalent in your curtain, it would have helped a lot. They are in real competition with the smoothness of the robe. Still, well lit and executed (lol)

Hari Kiri ?
by ShutterPug

Comment by dockode:
Good show.

Hari Kiri ?
by ShutterPug

Comment by edwalk74:
This would be a lot more convincing if she was outside or with a better background. That's just my preference though.

Hari Kiri ?
by ShutterPug

Comment by msimaging:
Maybe could have used a visible expression on her face to completely relay the moment of decision that is 'sipuku'