Self Portrait: Warts And Allby
smardazComment by sidpixel: *Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*
Wot no warts! First impressions, a very competent self portrait that meets the challenge well, presumably within the minimal editing rules.
Thank you for providing the lighting details, the setup is very effective, the focus is nice and sharp with good DOF and the pose is nice and relaxed. The minimal editing rule set is very strict but it does make it a great test of your camera skills, so very well done from that perspective. There are two, presumably deleted image spaces, below 'advanced editing versions' but even without those to view I remain impressed with your original.
There is nothing I can add in respect of your technical setup, it is very well chosen and, as already stated, very effective, well done.
As you say, the sensor dust does unfortunately let it down and cannot be removed within this rule set. I know from my own recent experience with a rushed last minute submission full of sensor dust much worse than yours, just how badly it goes down with the voters here which will fully explain its lower than deserved score. Without the dust your image would undoubtedly have placed much higher, certainly in the top ten, probably even the top five. We have both learned a lesson the hard way, good luck with your future submissions, Sid
Photographer found comment helpful.