A really good composition to start with, lots of interest taking the eye right the way up through the photograph. The mono treatment is ideal for this type of image and you have processed this really well. Just one little criticism is the lack of detail in the shadows bottom right, I would have a crack at recovering this, perhaps in 'shadows/highlights' if you have it.

I can see two images in this capture, both with it's own merit. The top two thirds with the grassy foreground as one and the bottom third abstract as the other, maybe this is just how I see it though.

Regards

Fran

Lovely part of the country. I think it lends itself to mono really well, I would crop the foreground to just below the rock on the left and a little off the sky to concentrate the eye on the compositional thirds and the real interest in the picture. The direction of the light on the rocks is really nice but I am not sure about the starbursts on the building. I downloaded this and did a mod and added a little sharpening too which brought out all the lovely detail in the image. I hope you take my comments as constructive which I always try to be.

Regards
Fran

A great point of view for this captivating vast scene, the people show it's scale and the spider and it's shadow are an interesting feature. If anything, a slight crop to just below the spider's leg would improve what is already an excellent image.
Works beautifully in mono.

Fran

Hi Edmund,

For me the image is the cow's head, the rest is irrelevant in this particular composition.
It looks like the lighting was coming from the back in which case, if you had added fill in flash it would have lifted the light on his face and possibly added a catch light to his eyes at the same time.
I felt it needed a close crop and some selective sharpening and blurring around the image to focus the eye on the animals head. I did a mod to demonstrate what I mean and hope you like it.

Regards

Fran

I like the cheeky expression and the fan works well in the shot, I would try cropping the boots out as there isn't enough of them showing hence they are a little distracting, just above the pantie line would be good. A very attractive model who looks to be enjoying the shoot.

Fran

I think this is so well composed and I love the low angle and that lone cloud to the right, not too sure whether the graduated and darkened sky works with the sun lighting the boat and the sand, the two halves seem to conflict a little regarding the direction and intensity of the light. Having said that, the processing is interesting and very well executed and overall the finished image looks quite attractive.

Regards

Fran

Interesting light and I liked the layered composition but I find the colours a little over saturated. A little less contrast too maybe. You certainly have captured an atmosphere though.

Regards

Fran

This is a cracking model so I couldn't resist bringing out the beauty in her.
The lighting coming from her right is a little harsh causing a glow in her hair and a heavy shadow which is a little distracting also her left eye is not as sharp as it could be.
I have done a mod which I feel is far more flattering IMO and hope that you like it. Having said all that I really like the 'look' that you have captured and hopefully we will be seeing more of this lovely model.

Fran

What a gorgeous model she is, I really like this shot but felt the eyes were not quite the point of focus that they should be on a portrait. I tried a mod for you, got a bit carried away and did a lot more than intended but she was a delight to work on.
Lightened & sharpened eyes
Brought out the highlights in the hair and brightened the skin a tad.
Cropped, framed and enlarged to finish.
Yours is lovely as it is, this is just my version. Hope you like it Marny.

Regards

Fran

You say this was taken on a bright sunny day but it appears to be quite overcast.
The reflections in the ripples are lovely but I would have been tempted to crop top and bottom empty spaces just to focus attention more on the boat and reflections.
The setting looks really peaceful, I can see why you have fallen in love with the place.

Fran

Nice idea for this shot but the halo around the man needs attention. It's good to get the creative juices flowing and you are almost there with this one, worth having another "mess about" with it.
Fran

I love the blue lips co-ordinating with those fantastic eyes. This is a very striking image and the creative makeup makes the shot. I think I would have just soften the models skin a bit more but I love this edgy modern fashion look.
Very nice work.
Fran

Mono always looks good in this kind of shot but I feel the contrasty crispness of the leather and the hair detracts from the softness of the models face and eyes, for this reason I much prefer the original shot. The processing is fine but perhaps more suited to a male model or a gritty urban shot where the same treatment could be used on the whole of the shot. The model has great eyes and I like the diagonal pose. #2 is worthy of it's own space.
Regards
Fran

You're right, they are beautiful eyes but for me the word Guinness is stealing the limelight here. That's all I saw in the thumbnail and wondered why anyone would want to post a shot of a hat with a brand name on it. As an advert for Guinnes, it is very clever.
Needless to say, It's certainly different to the norm, well processed and the crop is very creative but I think I would have liked to see a little more of the face and a little less of the hat.
As an ad, this is successful, as a personal portrait it is less so IMO but I do like the title and the presentation.
Regards
Fran

Quote: This is definitely a case where an ND grad would balance the very light sky and the darker f/g elements so the dynamic range was within the limits of the camera's sensor.
Alan.

I totally agree with Paintman's advice and can see the improvement in his mod. However I like the atmosphere created by the silhouettes but have strengthened the composition with a large crop to lose all but the figures and the car which I feel is the picture here. Hope you will like the mod. I added the border to bring it back to size.
Fran

A nice portrait of a beautiful woman but the framing spoils it for me. The face is superb and the clothes are colourful and detailed but unfortunately veiled by the processing.
Regards
Fran

Once again, nice selective focus and much better the subject being offset like this, I would move in closer to isolate the rain drop more as the bright flower is too intrusive in this instance. When working really close, try using at least f11 to catch the detail. It's a great lens.
Fran

Good selective focusing on the main water droplet. Try to compose so that the main feature is off centre for a more interesting shot.
Fran

Quote: Good shot in both just need a little catchlight in the eye

Easily done using the dodge tool set on highlights and a low opacity,gently go over the catchlight until it stands out a little more, job done.
We shot (not literally) one of these last week on Paignton Green.
Fran

I like your POV and the stance of the gull but moving slightly to your left would have included the shadow in the frame and as the bird is looking to the right, would have given it more room to look into. Try positioning the animal off centre where possible leaving room to the side that it is facing in to.
The shot would have benefited from using exposure compensation set to minus 1 or 2 to prevent the burn out on the white chest area and from zooming in closer to exclude some of the relatively uninteresting background.
Having said all that, it is good that you are trying something out of your comfort zone which has to be commended.
I have uploaded a mod to try and demonstrate a different approach and hope you find it useful.

Fran