Ok, I don't want to sound like I am ripping this apart, but I would like to add my hopefully constructive criticism if thats Ok?

Firstly, I think I can see what you were trying to achieve. Problem is there are two major flaws (unless of course it was the look you were going for) and that is that there is not only a lack of focus in what might be seen as the correct areas (eyes, front of face) but there is movement in it too, making it less sharp.

Have another go, maybe get the glare from the flash to be less harsh by diffusing somehow. And for focus, I tend to mark somewhere where I know my eyes are going to be in the image, then put myself in that position, so I know that the eyes will be in focus.

Also, the hat is quite an integral part of this image I would suspect, yet you can see nothing of it. I would be tempted to pull out the shot a little so you get a little more of the hat. If you weren't wearing one, then fair enough, you could get away with a crop that tight. But what would be the point of putting a prop in an image if you aren't actually going to see it.

I hope you don't take this too badly, but the idea is a good one. Just a few tweaks and a re-try and I reckon you're on to something. Hope this helps?

Yep, just had a closer look myself and they are definitely spots. Not sure if they are dust on the sensor or dust on lens, but definitely there. There is one to the left of her nose, just slightly down. Just a small splodge. Then there are two above her head I can see. I can't see a fourth, but there are definitely three of them....

And I was sure they are bra straps too. You can see the shape of it.....If not bra straps, they are the beading lines that have pressed into her skin from a tight top or something she was wearing? But they definitely don't look like squash lines to me......

Soz, again, like Richard, not a criticism. Love the image and very, very pretty model. Just TINY distractions.....

Superb photo! Only a couple of very, very tiny niggles....

Firstly, if you left the image uncropped as it is, I would clone out the plug socket in the bottom right hand corner. Secondly, I personally would have been tempted to crop even closer to take out the edge of the wardrobe/cupboard/whatever at the right and the chair top at the bottom. There is a coat hanging up in the background too, which is a little distracting. But other than that, the light, the pose, the sharpness, the model, the outfit, the concept....superb!!!

As ever Anne, beautifully lit, beautiful model and superbly shot. Could I be so bold as to make one small critque suggestion (and I am no expert), but she is a stunning and beautiful model, but she has had the same expression on her face in every shot in your PF. Nothing wrong with that as such as she is amazing, but it would be nice to see her bring out some emotion, something else to the image. Get her to look away from the camera or bring an element of "sexiness" to it with her expression. In no way are your images of her formulaic, but it would bring an extra, added element to them. Its a small observation and only a personal preference, but think it would add to some already superb shots of her. Hope you don't think I am criticising?

I have looked at this image a few times now and come back on occasion to see what people said about it before I said anything. Now, I am no expert and also, like yourself, I am learning the art, but not quite at the pace I would like to. But I can see criticism and what people have said is kinda true. I don't think Richard was being negative as such on his original criticism, I just think he was pointing out what others were thinking too. If it was me and I had seen Richards criticism, negative or not, I would have seen it as constructive either way. He says that the models don't look relaxed....well, I would have seen that as impetus to get them to relax. He said that the girl on the right looked like she was holding her breath.....then I would have taken that on and got her to not hold her breath......and so on. Criticism can be taken in many ways when it written down and no visual cue is given to interpret those remarks and hence when someone who is actually giving genuine criticism, it can be taken the wrong way. It may well be that Richard is a very nice guy, but gets jumped on whenever he says anything, who knows? I don't know him, neither do any others. But I do think what he said has valid points.

It has the making of a very, very nice photo, but all above that has been said from everyone, including Richard, is very valid. Now, thats not knocking you down at all, far from it and shouldn't be taken personally. Like you said, its a nice site with some nice people on here who are here to comment. All comments should be taken with interest, negative or positive and build from that. And text is very bad at conveying intention, always remember that.

As for my criticism of the image, well I would like to see just a tiny little bit more light on the faces as the background tends to wash them out a little. I found this out on my own studio shoot a little while ago. A reflector a little closer would have helped this. Also, a smile or some kind of emotion in the faces of the girls would have helped this as there is a little bit of "roboticness" about them. They could be mannequins. A look, a slight movement, a sideways glance, looking at each other.....all these things come with time and confidence. In this kind of shoot, its not about just getting the shot. The photography is secondary as you are putting girls in a situation and asking them to act or perform things they wouldn't even necessarily do with their other halves, in an unfamiliar setting. Make them comfortable, talk to them, relax them and you will see them melt into the shoot. Again, I learned that actually taking the shot is about 10% of a model studio shoot, 90% is rapport. Thats all this shot needed. I am sure you have it, but the image doesn't bring this out. It will come......

Its good. Its very, very good. Its actually quite amazing!

But....

I think that the skin is just a little "too" smoothed, making it look a tad artificial. She looks a little "too" perfect. A little "magazine" airbrushed, which isn't something I personally like. Prefer a more natural look. But as a piece of photography and lighting and posing and framing etc etc.......awesome. Utterly, utterly awesome!

I theory, a good idea. But there are some fundamental mistakes on this I am afraid....

Firstly, you can see the "cut out" lines where she has been superimposed on to the background. Secondly, the lighting is COMPLETELY different on both layers and don't match at all. It is not the most successful of patches.....

She also looks like she has been "free transformed" pretty badly too, looking squashed and out of shape and unnatural. Its a very odd juxtaposition.

A good idea, but needs a lot of work......

As Al said, I think a remote would help. Also, eBay does a generic version of it for about a fiver. Worth a look. Got one for mine, just doesn't have "Pentax" written on it. In fact, its slightly better as it has a button lock the Pentax one doesn't have.

Anyway, the image. I would agree with all that Al has said actually. I commented on his very own nude picture after him commenting on the lack of comments. Won't go into it, but the thread is there. All I can say is that good on you for having a go and dont give up. There is nothing wrong with what you are doing. But technically, I personally wouldn't have isolated your image. If you wanted a black background, I would have MADE a real black background. If you don't have a studio or use of one, then fair enough, but doing it digitally does make it look a little superimposed, which is a shame as the idea is great. The pose could be more open and expressive as a man too. I have seen countless women with similar poses in photos and for a male nude to stand out, it kind of has to have a masculinity to it. Not saying this doesn't, but that aspect could be stronger.

But keep going. As a first attempt, pretty damn good! Way better than I would do (but then, I don't have the body to pull it off.... lol!)

Good grief, those are some of the most striking eyes I have ever seen. Utterly beautiful.....

A great portrait. A nice angle and perspective on the "normal" portraits...... nice....

It could do with a tiny bit of darkening, just to bring out the blacks as its a teeny bit washed out, but then I am nit picking. Stunning stuff....