Great shot, perfectly catching the moment. The composition is quite nice as it stands, though I wondered what would happen if it had been taken just a bit closer to the group. Would it have eliminated the white outline around each subject? In this instance, would cropping just below the darkest spot in the left-hand side corner help reducing the numerous horizontal lines? No, don't change anything, I am just very appreciative of your shot. Cheers,
Paul

It is obvious you worked on this shot. The apple is an interesting gimmick, if one could only see it is an apple studded with nails. Now could you have done the same thing without the apple. Perhaps not, because of the originality of the position, the elongated arms, the legs, the exaggerated collarbone, the oddly defiant face, all resulting in an insect-like look, a creature to escape from! Thus, the "forbidden fruit" idea fails while being rescued by the singularity of the shot. I must confess that before reading your description, I thought you had used a strange looking insect to keep up with the emerging theme. (Do clean up the wisp of hair under the armpit, it looks slightly odd.) Yes, I think I'll vote for this shot. It is quite original, as I see it, a take-off on the girlie logo seen here and there. Cheers,
Paul

Now, this is what I call photography, and as it appears here it can take its rightful place among other artistic productions! As an invented composition, this scene has all the needed attributes to simulate an intriguing atmosphere. The one thing I would perhaps suggest is erasing the child's left foot. It appears rather indefinite, too dark (even on my calibrated monitor), and is in the direct prolongation of the one at the right of your superbly positioned subject. Congratulations,
Paul

Very, very well done! The subject's skin colour is splendid and your idea of blending hair and background colour incredible. May I, however, point to a couple of things I thought need attention. Is it absolutely necessary to work in colour in the model's hair, on her left-side? It seems to break the movement originating from this side and ultimately splattering on the right-side. There is also a break just below her right eye that seems to accentuate her cheek. In fact, as you get into the shadow area of the cheek, its edge is heavily marked by the transition into colour. Is there a need to work on this edge to soften the transition? I won't say more because you'll think I don't like your composition. On the contrary, it is absolutely remarkable. Congratulations,
Paul

Indeed, a very nice urban composition. You are absolutely correct in giving the major space to the reflection because it is very striking in terms of what it does to shapes and colour. On the other hand, my problem with this shot is that, at first sight, it looks like two juxtaposed photographs on account of the building's straight edge being against the sky and the lack to visual depth to allow the eye to make the transition. If it were possible, a solution might have been to reduce the right side even more. In this way, the transition line would have appeared on the building itself. This is complex, I know. Now, don't think I am rejecting your composition, for I do find it rather exceptional and proof enough that you have a good eye. Cheers,
Paul

Very ingenious composition. This particular disposition goes under the name parergon (see Derrida's Truth in Painting). You might have cleaned it a bit to avoid excessive highlights causing a lack of definition, and the unsightly electric cord. I also find the elbow directly over the knee a bit unsettling because it seems to want to take the focus point away from the subject's face. In this case, additional lights would have improved your shot. Now, there is nothing to say about your idea, it is great. So, I do like your composition, even as it stands (colours and all), because it holds so much promise. Congratulations,
Paul

Nicely captured! The focus is rightly so on the child enjoying her chips, and from this centre several horizontal lines complete the seagull scene. Now, to the question whether the hovering gull is distracting, I'd say maybe not because it does brings a dynamic element. Even the about to land second gull, of which only the wings are visible, participates in this. On the other hand, there appears to be another confusing bit of wing over the left-hand side subject's hair. Also, at first, I thought the piece of cloth in the bottom left-hand side distracting, but as one reads from left to right, it is really on the same line as the foregrounded white seagull (and it also contributes to the spontaneous dinner scene). The main subject is neatly framed by the backs of the two persons in front. So, really, this a delightful street scene. Bravo,
Paul

I agree with you, the dress and background do go well together. I also think your subject's colouration is fine, at least up to the middle of the upper arm. Below this I detect a few problems that have mostly to do with the way light falls on the subject's clothes and introduces areas of darker shadows that create segments that are not altogether graceful. Test this yourself, if you crop just to the middle of the upper arm, you get a more uniform and pleasant picture. At this point I would say your take on the subject as a "Bond Girl" looks quite good, technically speaking, though from a formal point of view, I have difficulties reconciling your subject's gaze with the presence of the gun. Perhaps should she have turned her head more towards the gun. I am not sure, but regardless let me end by saying that on the whole I do like your approach and the pictorial qualities you have given this shot. Cheers,
Paul

Great candid shot! It is very colourful in more than one way. By placing the focus on the one subject's colourful attire, you seem to encapsulate the entire scene where primary colour answers primary colour. One detail, am just wondering if there isn't some yellow bleeding on the neck of the person just behind your prime subject (it is perhaps in relation to the strong highlights at that point). I realize how difficult it is to control such a colourful shot, but then I think you have just about attained its best expression. Regards,
Paul

Yes, I agree, this scene is beautifully captured, specially as the declining sun illuminates sky and water, but I am surprised by the large foreground shadow that doesn't let anything through (though my monitor is calibrated). This is, I believe, a case for working with a mask in PS to recover some highlights. There are other ways to get around the problem, of course, but really, it is unfortunate not to make the best of a shot like this. Regards,
Paul

Couldn't be better in terms of your contrasted capture of both the model's fresh-beauty, and the dilapidation of the window. The one thing I find distracting has to do with the black shoulder patch worn by your model. I suppose erasing it or blurring it as much as the arm would have helped. Probably part of the dress, but I can't make it out. Regardless, I just love your shot for the reasons above. Regards,
Paul

Agree, lovely work, especially the toning, of course, but I also think it has to do with your model's facial expression and gaze. It all seems to come together in a smooth way. The only caution I have is in regard to the finger position. As you can see, the two half-hidden fingers (and the back of the hand) are highlighted, whereas the other two aren't as much and are pushed back because of the shoulder. The result is an over-emphasis on the hand as opposed to the fine lines of the face. I just wondering if it has to do with the way your spots are aimed. Well, enough, this is likely minor because the result is a very serene shot. Bravo,
Paul

Obviously, you've caught a stunning portrait, expression and body language. B&W works best in this case. Now, to say your composition clearly expresses your title, I am not certain. It is true that the presence of graffiti speaks of the setting, but is it enough? Should you have shown more of the street, would a different angle worked better, perhaps. This is a difficult question because you obviously wanted to tell a story, and you ended up with a portrait. Some aspects need to be sorted out. The left edge of the picture catches most of the light and shows details that might be superfluous, though they pique my curiosity (what is on the left side, does it contribute to the overall setting, is it the cause of the angry look?). A slight crop might help so as to balance out both background sides. This would eliminate eliminate the very harsh highlights. I quite understand the difficulty here, street photography and portrait photography share certain elements, but they do express different things. Regardless, you have a good eye. I must congratulate you and encourage you in your photography quest. Cheers,
Paul

I think you've got it! At least great inspiration from Degas. At first, I was a bit taken aback by the bath water being so low (none at all, perhaps). Just a detail without too much importance, though I think even a slight ripple might have added to the effect produced (as we can observe in the Degas 1886 pastel). Love it, just the same. Cheers,
Paul

An absolutely striking portrait! The forcefulness of the model's facial expression is such that it carries the entire image, but, I must say it also has a lot to do with the portrait's colouration and the way your spots enhance it. The one tiny problem I find has to do with the subject's right shoulder. It protrudes so much that it almost looks clinical. I don't know if this aspect needs a little more work on the shadows to smooth it all, or maybe it is my eyesight. Regardless, I am really taken bythe way you have captured your model's beauty. Cheers,
Paul

One of your best shots, to be sure. This is a dramatic portrait enhanced by the white headdress and, naturally the model's expressive face. Watch out for a bit of excessive highlights on the model's neck, on her right, otherwise the lights are about perfect. Absolutely stunning! Cheers,
Paul

Hi Paul. Thank you for sharing your memories, and welcome to the world of photography. I say this because it is obvious you are trying to be as precise as possible with your shots. So, in this case, a word about composition. In action shots, it is usual to put the space before, not after, the subject so as to introduce a dynamic element. Also, it is better to stage the shot so as to show visually what is going on. Here, we are left guessing: is this a shot during a game, after a game, is your son about to shoot, etc. The remedy is simple, show the other players, show the ball your son is about to kick, etc. Now, I do very much like the shot's capture, that is the obvious pleasure shown by your son's facial expression. Cheers and happy photography.
Paul

The series continues, and it is quite pleasant to see what you are doing, but I do not find this shot as striking as the others, at least in terms of how you have placed your subject. You end up with a very straight back that looks a bit odd. Furthermore, and I don't want to sound disparaging, your model is beautiful, but I found the contrast hand-elaborate hairdo too visible. Even fake nails would have harmonized this shot. Keep up the good work. Regards.
Paul

I super like what you have achieved in this shot, especially the way you have combined colour, skin, and facial expression. I do have a few questions relative to highlights and shadows. I can't be totally sure, but I detect some highlight bleeding on the edges, cheekbones, top of the dress, etc. Then, regarding the shadows, it seems to me your subject's lower left arm is just a tiny bit too dark. Finally, I wondered about the reflected lights in the sunglasses. Is it too bright, if not too close together, thus producing a strange look. But I am exaggerating because, believe me, I am absolutely taken by this portrait. Kudos.
Paul

Thank you for telling me it is all about tobacco because I would not have guessed on my own. Now, I love the way you have captured hands at work, the colours of the cloth, etc., but, instead of focussing on the piece of cloth in the foreground, you should have aimed at the tobacco, or at least have shown a relationship between it and the subject's hands. Take a look, your background is too well defined in relation to the main subject. Now, it is evident you have an excellent choice of photographic models. Keep up the good work.
Paul