Soonby
Shan2112Comment by ubique: Hello Shannon, it's me from the Critique Club again!
(I'm not stalking you; these critique allocations are quite random, so the fact I did one on an image of yours just a week ago is just an absurd coincidence.)
I like this one a little less, as it happens. Technically it seems OK, especially the raking light, which I think came from a window. The desaturation has made the light look a little cold, especially on the hands - it was probably a little 'warmer' than that in the original image. On the other hand, the desaturation has been used with a purpose, and a purpose that is consistent with your aim for the image. I personally don't care for desaturation too much, but at least you've had a reason for doing it (most people don't seem to). The composition and crop is not too interesting ... I know you didn't want to show Sarah's face here, but this alternative does rob the image of much of its potential meaning. The hands do their best, but it's faces, and specifically eyes, that tell the story of the kind of emotion you are after here.
There are some compression artifacts visible, especially on the curve of the near chair arm. I think you'll eliminate that if you save your files for DPC to the permitted maximum of 150KB (yours is only 55KB).
Here's a link to a tutorial that will help you to size and save your images to best advantage on DPC.
Nice to see you again! Best wishes to Sarah ... a baby on Valentine's Day, that's pretty memorable.
Paul
Photographer found comment helpful.
