This photo is here for critique. Please only comment constructively and with suggestions on how to improve it.
Comments
Join ePHOTOzine for free and remove these adverts.

Elaine this is a lovely candid portrait with bags of colour and contrast to bring out the detail in the subjects face. I think the levels work on the highlight and shadow points have been well executed here.
Contrasty lighting which cannot be helped and I would suggest just a little work on the eyes to brighten a tad. Otherwise another great addition to the ever expanding travel portfolio.
If not already planned you should think about exhibiting these or putting together a photo talk show for local clubs and communities when you are back.
Contrasty lighting which cannot be helped and I would suggest just a little work on the eyes to brighten a tad. Otherwise another great addition to the ever expanding travel portfolio.
If not already planned you should think about exhibiting these or putting together a photo talk show for local clubs and communities when you are back.

It's a fine, strong, dynamic portrait of a sturdy character. The placement and crop, the diagonal sweep of her shawl, and the direct gaze, all bring her to life, they give her a sense of energy. We could easily engage her in conversation here.
I agree with Paul about brightening the eyes a little. I also want to get rid of the dark detail top right, there's a sliver of another face I think and I find it draws my eye away from the main subject. I'll be back with a Mod.
Moira
I agree with Paul about brightening the eyes a little. I also want to get rid of the dark detail top right, there's a sliver of another face I think and I find it draws my eye away from the main subject. I'll be back with a Mod.
Moira

A very nice portrait, framed well.
The right can be cloned in to isolate the woman; to me, she appears a little too yellow, so Ive addressed that; the facial lines need to be accentuated IMO, - shes earned them, so contrast is good for this; I would de saturate the background a little.
Loaded 3 mods. First is as above with the lines more visible, tone altered, and crop; secong is a very harsh version which uses a style by a photographer called Andrej Dragan http://andrzejdragan.com/ though its barely close; and finally a lightly toned mono, which I especially like.
Regards
Willie
The right can be cloned in to isolate the woman; to me, she appears a little too yellow, so Ive addressed that; the facial lines need to be accentuated IMO, - shes earned them, so contrast is good for this; I would de saturate the background a little.
Loaded 3 mods. First is as above with the lines more visible, tone altered, and crop; secong is a very harsh version which uses a style by a photographer called Andrej Dragan http://andrzejdragan.com/ though its barely close; and finally a lightly toned mono, which I especially like.
Regards
Willie

Hi Everyone,
Dr Sharma - Thanks, I'm glad you like the shot.
Paul (Coast) - Thanks for the advice about brightening the eyes.....your mod shows the improvement - I'll certainly do that, thanks. That's a great idea of yours to exhibit the images in some way. I hadn't thought of doing anything like that but I know my local library sometimes show exhibitions of local artists work - I might contact them.............thanks for the idea.
Jeff - Thanks for taking the time to comment - glad you like it.
Moira - Your mod looks great with the dodging and burning - much better too with the top right-hand distraction cloned out - thanks Moira.
Willie - 3 great mods Willie. I agree that the lines could be accentuated a bit more. One of the versions I worked on but didn't upload was a bit more gritty - a bit more like your 2nd mod. I've checked out Andrej Dragan's website.......very compelling images although there were a couple which I felt, to me, were uncomfortable viewing. The guy has amazing talent though. I love your 3rd mod - she does look good in b & w. I'm going to try a conversion, but I doubt it'll be as good as yours.
Paul - I agree about lightening the eyes - thanks for your advice - I'm glad you like the shot.
Thanks very much for all of your help and advice everyone - It's a great learning opportunity for me

Dr Sharma - Thanks, I'm glad you like the shot.
Paul (Coast) - Thanks for the advice about brightening the eyes.....your mod shows the improvement - I'll certainly do that, thanks. That's a great idea of yours to exhibit the images in some way. I hadn't thought of doing anything like that but I know my local library sometimes show exhibitions of local artists work - I might contact them.............thanks for the idea.
Jeff - Thanks for taking the time to comment - glad you like it.
Moira - Your mod looks great with the dodging and burning - much better too with the top right-hand distraction cloned out - thanks Moira.
Willie - 3 great mods Willie. I agree that the lines could be accentuated a bit more. One of the versions I worked on but didn't upload was a bit more gritty - a bit more like your 2nd mod. I've checked out Andrej Dragan's website.......very compelling images although there were a couple which I felt, to me, were uncomfortable viewing. The guy has amazing talent though. I love your 3rd mod - she does look good in b & w. I'm going to try a conversion, but I doubt it'll be as good as yours.
Paul - I agree about lightening the eyes - thanks for your advice - I'm glad you like the shot.
Thanks very much for all of your help and advice everyone - It's a great learning opportunity for me

