Guess Who?
by Firstrich1

Comment by tfaust:
Excellent! One of my other favorites in this challenge. Use of black and white is perfect - love the angle and lighting. She has a beautiful smile and I can feel emotion in this picture from her face. Bravo!! 9

Guess Who?
by Firstrich1

Comment by zeuszen:
Despite the fact that this capture provides several undesirable, albeit minute instances for criticism, it should strike any viewer as unassumingly beautiful, delightful and credible. The choice for b and w conveys the intimacy captured here in an aptly subtle and tasteful way. The softer focus compliments the close-up.

While the composition is a natural given derived from the perspective, the image 'weighs' slightly to the left due to a more concentrated presence of negative space (black areas). This combined with the diagonal position occupied by the subject invites a subtle counter-clockwise dynamic and viewing path.

The inclusion of redundant highlights, one to the left of the model's index finger, another on the the left near the top border, while clearly discernible, appear to provide no dramatic distraction from the essence of this image.

I do question the need or preference for the triple star-burst effect with this image. While, undoubtedly, it provides a marked point of interest and contrast in and to an essentially grayscale photo with a soft and flowing feel, it also draws an unrelenting attention to an artifact (in the sense and context of the image). The lens effect itself -dates- the photo to an era, when such effects were in fashion.

To my senses, this is a mixed blessing: on one hand, it appears to diminish the subtly intimacy of this capture, while on the other hand it adds both charm and a graphical highlight.

Guess Who?
by Firstrich1

Comment by coolhar:
a very genuine looking smile but I wish it was color

Guess Who?
by Firstrich1

Comment by Neuferland:
A nice picture overall, the star effects on the earring is a bit distracting to me, but the happiness expressed through her smile is very real and fun. I like the crop and the way her hand is coming up, would like to see it a little more straight though, the angle is a bit too much for me. Started at a 7, going to an 8

Guess Who?
by Firstrich1

Comment by kyrielle:
This is a neat one for this topic and the focus and framing are nice. I find teh triple-flash from the earring very distracting, though - my eyes keep going back to it as if it was meant to be the subject of the photo, which doesn't seem to be the case.

Guess Who?
by Firstrich1

Comment by rjhawkin:
wow, natural lens flare on the bling bling,

Guess Who?
by Firstrich1

Comment by Samara:
This is beautiful...bet it wins the blue ribbon.

Guess Who?
by Firstrich1

Comment by ChipsDitchman:
Star effects on diamonds are pretty cool and almost essential for earing shots like this, but just a bit too heavy and overpowering on this one...maybe lightening up the rest of the image would help a little? Good shot and great concept though.

Guess Who?
by Firstrich1

Comment by timmi:
Lovely image. Great in b&w. The reflection stars on her earings add nice touch to the whole photo. I don't like the glare on her teeth and gums though as it attracts too much attention. The man's hand appears tiny bit out of focus, but the image holds so it's not distracting. The top left corner glow could have been cropped out as well. Otherwise good.

Guess Who?
by Firstrich1

Comment by ScottK:
Bet I know who this is.... :-) (Was just looking at your profile after your comment on my shot - at least I think so....) Very nice work. Don't know if this was candid or staged, but the feeling is very natural, so either way doesn't matter - it worked. This is the best of the \"reaction\" shots - one of only a couple that don't look like play-acting. The soft tones and focus also help with the intimacy of the moment. The only thing I don't like is that I think the flares from the earrings were a little overdone. 8