Purple Gaze
by melismatica

Comment by goodhart:
I really like the concept behind this photograph. What I think would have made this photo even better (in my opinion) is if the person walking down the sidewalk was just a bit further left; it would then look like the purple face was actually looking at the person. Great effort, though! I'd give it a 7!

Purple Gaze
by melismatica

Comment by DonC:
First let me appologize and also to say that I did not enter this contest. I am confused by some of the terminology in the rules but I think that this picture is of art work and by my interpretation of the rules it is not usable. I did want to click on recommend this for disqualification but I do not know what all the reprocussions are so will just leve you with this comment instead. Not a bad pic at all but tell me what you think the art work rule means to you so maybe I might have a better understanding.

Late Afternoon Nap
by melismatica

Comment by bethany_marie_23:
This is a very artistic shot. I love the tones....very lovely.

Purple Gaze
by melismatica

Comment by kevrobertson:
Great shot
good luck with the challange

50 Cents
by melismatica

Comment by melismatica:

Originally posted by Kylie: Like this a lot. Do more like this one!!

Thanks Kylie. Your request is very gratifying as this is a favorite of mine. It was very tempting to submit it to the June Free Challenge. It is a bit grainy looking and I've been slammed for that in the past. I wish I had now, since my 'pandering' shot isn't doing so great anyway.

Purple Gaze
by melismatica

Comment by Bran-O-Rama:
Would've cropped out sidewalk. Woman walking distracting but useful for determining scale of artwork.

Purple Gaze
by melismatica

Comment by carlacryptic:
Very cool shot - 7

Margaret
by melismatica

Comment by melismatica:
Thanks to all who commented. I appreciate receiving so many comments. I'm a bit disappointed that so many chose to comment about the lighting on the left side of her face. I intended the half-lighting. It is not an uncommon type of portrait lighting so I'm not sure why so many chose to give advice as to how to add fill-light. I actually have other shots from this sitting where her whole face is lit. I used three separate lights.
I thought it was quite obvious that I intended the lighting (some people got it so I wasn't that far off) so those kind of comments just kind of irritate after the third or fourth one. If I had lit her whole face, I would have lost the mood I was aiming at.

50 Cents
by melismatica

Comment by Kylie:
Like this a lot. Do more like this one!!

Margaret
by melismatica

Comment by David.C:
Lighting: Needs a reflector to bounce light back onto the left side of the face and hair. The catchlight in her right eye is fine, but she needs on in her left. The light on her neck is a bit hot.
Pose: The pose is fine, but if her head was turned a bit to the right, the light would be able to fall more uniformly on the left side of her face and would not create the heavy shadows under her hair on her right.
Background: The black works well, but would prefer more separation between her and the background.