A Christmas Surprise
by StevePax

Comment by amsmyth:
the ribbon on the boxes needs to be brought out more and it feels overall too dark rather than emphasizing the boxes in the middle of "soft"

A Christmas Surprise
by StevePax

Comment by MWitt:
Nice,,,,but a little dark I think. Nice soft focus.

I'm thankful for my wife
by StevePax

Comment by vtruan:
Nice portrait. Shading very well done.

Have I Got a Surprise for You!
by StevePax

Comment by Neil:
Greetings from the critique club:

This has a nice science fiction feel to it, and if I am correct you are assuming we've seen enough science fiction to guess that what's in his hands might be surprising. For me that works, though I am not sure it would for everyone.

Compositionally, I think its framed well for this shot. The lighting is especially interesting and appropriate here. However, perhaps to get the effect the saturation on the red was set a bit too high, and that gives it a softer focus, and in some places, almost a posterized look that I am a little mixed about (good for effect, but makes the image look lower quality).

I am not sure the model and photo is "gallery ready" but you've used good imagination here and captured it well.

One Last Grape
by StevePax

Comment by unholycommunion:
my two favorite things in this world:

the colors and lighting of your photo.

I'm thankful for my wife
by StevePax

Comment by Neil:
Nice tonal conversion; I like the closeup, but I am not sure there wasn't a more interesting composition. Also watch for her shirt, which is overexposed.

I'm thankful for my wife
by StevePax

Comment by adine:
A lovely portrait - glowing, real, full of joy. technically and emotionally a 10.

I'm thankful for my wife
by StevePax

Comment by dsidwell:
Pretty gal! Tonal range is very nice. Centered composition works well.

I'm thankful for my wife
by StevePax

Comment by jonpink:
Bad Points: not enough contrast for my liking, all a bit too high-key
Good Points: a nice portrait overall
Overall Score: 4

I'm thankful for my wife
by StevePax

Comment by unholycommunion:
the subject seems happy to be in this picture, and the subject is in good focus, the coller seemed though to slightly blend in with the subjects blouse...a good picture nonetheless