::: Critique Club :::
Hi, my name is Kari and from the critique club.
First Impression - the most important one:
My first impression immediately was the same as one of the commenters - it looks very fake. I noticed the nose first and then the hair, particularly the back edge of it. I guess it looked like a good image spoiled by the PP on it. Because the voters don't have the benefit of seeing the reasoning behind your editing, you got hammered in the voting.
Composition:
The capture is quite good in fact, perhaps a little centred. The lines of the hat and the pose of the model actually work ok.
Subject:
I like that you have matched the image with its caption - not a lot of peope do that:) I LOVE the hat and the cape. They just light up the image. Good props combined with a creative pose shows your intention of telling a story. This is not just a snapshot, there's been planning in it. Also, any image that meets challenge is a serious contender and this one very specifically does that.
Technical (Colour and light):
I admire the way you set out to create a "look". It's too easy to be casual about that and you haven't shied away from taking a risk. That it didn't work I think is not at all bad. The voters reaction serves as a benchmark now with which you know how far you can push the envelope. It also tells you how high the standards are expected to be. I have certainly learned that lesson too (Best of 2005) and won't ever underestimate the high standard demanded by voters. The flat lighting wasn't the problem I don't think, it was the editing and the NI. The edge editing is just too intrusive to be able to look past it whilst the texture in the face has you wondering if the whole thing is assembled from bits
To grow its vote?:
So, lessons learned I think. If you're going for a "look" make sure that it works or abandon it. Have the model stand off the wall about 3ft and the shadow will be minimalised.
Summary:
The focus, the pose and the colour are attractive elements in this image. I can see from your homepage that colour may not be something you're comfortable with since all your others are very monochromatic. Good on you for stepping outside your comfort zone but when you do, don't be afraid of it.
If you've got any questions about this critique, please feel free to contact me via the PM system.
Cheers
Kari
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