My mother is an "old school" secretary and she works in the Parliament of Iceland. She is 69 years old and she is always full of energy. We had great time doing this photo shoot!
Shot in a studio.
Convert from RAW
Levels, curves, convert to black and white.
Sharpen for web.
I’m so happy that THIS picture got me a ribbon. Thank you for all your comments and kind words!!
Ohh my ..!!!! You were right about my mother in your comments. She is a strong woman with a lot of grace, BUT she has a great sense of humor. (Not showing in the picture on my request). She has had a hilarious time this morning reading all your comments.
Thanks again,
SVAVA
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Place: 3 out of 71 Avg (all users): 7.1746 Avg (commenters): 8.2727 Avg (participants): 6.8378 Avg (non-participants): 7.2326 Views since voting: 4362 Views during voting: 566 Votes: 252 Comments: 47 Favorites: 5 (view)
Hi from the Critique Club. It is always hard to critique a really good photo, let alone a ribbon winner, but I'll give it a shot!
Overall, I liked this from the moment it came up on the screen. I was immediately grabbed by the piercing stare and the wonderful expression of your model. I'm not sure she does succeed in hiding her sense of humour - she does look as if she is hiding a smile, like the Mona Lisa.
Technically: Superb in every respect - except for the handbag lighting. It took a moment, but the glare did start to drag my eye away from the rest of the shot.
Artistically: The placement of the model and chair diagonally across the frame is very strong, and posing at a alight angle like the statesmen and soldiers would in their (painted) portraits gives her a real strength. She is also beautifully framed by the shape and pattern of the chair, which emphasises her posture.
PP: It is (as others have said) a very good BW conversion. If I had a slight criticism, it would be a suggestion about using a little 'burn' on the handbag and hands, since they have reall caught the light - but this is a small thing.
In summary, it is clearly an excellent shot, which has been recognised by the voters. Good job!
I’m so happy that THIS picture got me a ribbon. Thank you for all your comments and kind words!!
Ohh my ..!!!! You were right about my mother in your comments. She is a strong woman with a lot of grace, BUT she has a great sense of humor. (Not showing in the picture on my request). She has had a hilarious time this morning reading all your comments.
Incredible black and white conversion. I love the seriousness in her face. The gesture is a spot on. Everything is perfect here. The lighting is amazing as well.
Like this! Lots of character in this. This portrait tells me about what a strong woman this is, with many tales to tell (and potentially embarrass her grown children with!)
The handbag, the serious face, the legs crossed... they all serve to tell the story of who she is! The image is very good... crisp, clear , great tones, well composed!
My highest scoring photo. I think these are so hard to do. I can't do a good portrait. If there is anything I don't like about it is the glare off of her purse.
By far the best photo in the challenge. A very interesting chair in shape and texture. The pose works well and the lighting is brilliant. I really like the choise of dark clothes and background with the light colored chair. Congrats you and your mother can be proud of this collaboration.
Oh wow, I love this. A really strong mono work, but oh, what a strong portrait. Your mother looks like such a strong woman, really in control of her life and of her family, stylish and smart. But there is also a sense of vulnerability, or a reticence - perhaps it is the handbag, that so effectively places a barrier between herself and the viewer. A truly fascinating portrait that demands my attention. My only criticism is that the light has reflected a little too much from the handbag, but nonetheless a very solid 10 from me, and a photo of real quality.
Stunning. A classic portrait with exceptional detail throughout the image (although the back of the chair appears to be "floating"). Masterfully art-directed (WHERE did you get that chair??!!) Her attitude is imperial and perfect for this image. My only grip is that purse. It completely draws my eye because there is just too much reflection on it (perhaps burning it a bit to take off the extreme brightness). Also, (and this is a minor nit), the left handle of the purse seems to be strapped around the button on her chest. Clearly this is an illusion, as the strap seems to be looped around her left arm, but what is that line that runs from the loop across her chest to the button? Front page.
I LOVE the fact that she's in a 60's style chair, which was probably when she was in her hayday. The purse is a nice touch too although it does create a bit of a light reflection. It's not enough to dissuade me from really loving it. We don't often see older people in portraits, so that makes me like it this much more. She has such a sense of resolve. Congrats to you (and her). I like it. 8
I find the bag very distracting because it is so bright, especially compared to her face. It looks like her hands are brighter than her face too, which I'd guess to be a result of how you converted to black and white. That said, I think the tones are otherwise lovely and I think her expression is very fitting.
My mother 
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