Burning Desireby
OneSweetSinComment by graphicfunk: from the critique club:
I like this shot. I like the comp, the warm reflections on the wall and the main light. The only draw back is the strength of the light, otherwise you created a very interesting pattern which could have been controlled a tad more to help out the star pattern. Whenever your lights burn out too much it creates a problem. Usually, in this kind of lighting you need to control the short travel of the light or the area immediatelly next to the floor. A piece of plastic diffuser is all that is needed much like those sold at Home Depot which serve as flourescent sheets, but cut into small squares such as 8x8.
Now, you must understand that this is an artistic effect and as such it is not received with open arms. Given the choice of clear distinct lighting and implied lighting the voters will opt for more definition.
The pose is wonderful and the toe pointed adds a very stylistic touch. The right arm is very well placed and the head drawn back gives a sense of serenity.
Being that this is advance editing you could have selected the light, made a layer with a a gradient radiation from the center. You could have use a warm yellow or simply the shade of the walls. You then erase the figure (the subject) from this layer and apply it with a low opacity, enough to create a gradual fade on the light.
To conclude: I like this image, it was very well done and the minor problem of the burn out area is not as critical, it is just that it is easy for me to point this out simply because I am very conscious of loosing texture with lighting. Yet, if you are happy with the effect than ignore my suggestion. I even find it disturbing is sunset shots and whenever the sun burn out too much it robs the delicate balance.
Photographer found comment helpful.