Terrible as an army with banners

This is not an unkind picture. The beauty of her face is there - and it would not be fair to compare this with face of a teenager. Technically the photograph is good - composition , exposure , out of focus background , shadows give her face shape and depth. I think I may have cropped a little off the left of the frame closure to her shoulder. And maybe asked for a little ghost of a smile - I am sure your model is not as serious as she looks here! I like it. I am familiar with Song of Songs but not this particular quotation. Formidable - no!

This is not an unkind picture. The beauty of her face is there - and it would not be fair to compare this with face of a teenager. Technically the photograph is good - composition , exposure , out of focus background , shadows give her face shape and depth. I think I may have cropped a little off the left of the frame closure to her shoulder.
And maybe asked for a little ghost of a smile - I am sure your model is not as serious as she looks here!
I like it.
I am familiar with Song of Songs but not this particular quotation. Formidable - no!

I am no expert on this type of photograph, but I think that everthing about it is stunning, and wish I could capture facial expressions like that. The skin tone and detail show the subjects maturity. Just a great photo.

I am no expert on this type of photograph, but I think that everthing about it is stunning, and wish I could capture facial expressions like that. The skin tone and detail show the subjects maturity. Just a great photo.

Beauty in the eye !! John. Ron

Beauty in the eye !! John.
Ron

I think she's gorgeous. x

I think she's gorgeous.
x

I don’t know if the photo is unkind but I would call it, courageous. Courageous of you to display it and courageous of the model to allow it to be displayed. We are all familiar with “character studies” where every facial line tells a story of an interesting life. We are also familiar with the delicately lit soft-focus boudoir images where the passage of time is judiciously erased. This photo is courageous because it fits neither of those stereotypes. The subject looks like it might be a boudoir image but the tools used and presentation are more akin to a character study. Rather than a soft-focus or traditional portrait lens, you chose a macro-lens, designed to capture every detail. I have a similar Sigma lens and they are very capable even when fully open. Here, it has captured every imperfection in the make-up, stray hair, line and wrinkle. [OK, you used a wide (er) aperture but I suspect that was to obscure the background rather than soften the focus on the subject.] The image is a rare portrait of a beautiful woman who is ageing more graciously than most of us. That rarity makes it special. We all know that “the camera never lies” died with the invention of the first darkroom. In an age of digital manipulation, I don’t expect to see truth as it is presented here. This photo is almost shocking - and honestly, I have become so used to the pabulum of soft focus that I am not sure I really appreciate truth. But, I do appreciate the courage and beauty of your model.

I don’t know if the photo is unkind but I would call it, courageous. Courageous of you to display it and courageous of the model to allow it to be displayed. We are all familiar with “character studies” where every facial line tells a story of an interesting life. We are also familiar with the delicately lit soft-focus boudoir images where the passage of time is judiciously erased. This photo is courageous because it fits neither of those stereotypes. The subject looks like it might be a boudoir image but the tools used and presentation are more akin to a character study. Rather than a soft-focus or traditional portrait lens, you chose a macro-lens, designed to capture every detail. I have a similar Sigma lens and they are very capable even when fully open. Here, it has captured every imperfection in the make-up, stray hair, line and wrinkle. [OK, you used a wide (er) aperture but I suspect that was to obscure the background rather than soften the focus on the subject.]
The image is a rare portrait of a beautiful woman who is ageing more graciously than most of us. That rarity makes it special. We all know that “the camera never lies” died with the invention of the first darkroom. In an age of digital manipulation, I don’t expect to see truth as it is presented here. This photo is almost shocking - and honestly, I have become so used to the pabulum of soft focus that I am not sure I really appreciate truth. But, I do appreciate the courage and beauty of your model.

Good photography and expresion. Maybe that isnt what we would to see ,but anyway this is nice image.

Good photography and expresion.
Maybe that isnt what we would to see ,but anyway this is nice image.

It's a fabulous face. After a certain age your face is your own, it tells your story. I would soften the areas under the eyes, I suspect that you may have done some work there? But my first thought - she would make a brilliant Lady Macbeth. Who of course is a strong, experienced lady with a helluva lot of sexual power. And yes, I have read the Song of Songs.

It's a fabulous face. After a certain age your face is your own, it tells your story. I would soften the areas under the eyes, I suspect that you may have done some work there? But my first thought - she would make a brilliant Lady Macbeth. Who of course is a strong, experienced lady with a helluva lot of sexual power.
And yes, I have read the Song of Songs.

An honest portrait John - most of us would use the healing tool if it were an image of ourselves! Strange how we see all our flaws in a photo but our brain blocks out the imperfections when we look in the mirror - same when we sit opposite our female friends. The camera is unkind! Kate :D

An honest portrait John - most of us would use the healing tool if it were an image of ourselves! Strange how we see all our flaws in a photo but our brain blocks out the imperfections when we look in the mirror - same when we sit opposite our female friends.
The camera is unkind!
Kate

[quote]Beauty in the eye !! John. Ron[/quote] Seems to sum up the matter perfectly. Ron

Quote:Beauty in the eye !! John.
Ron


Seems to sum up the matter perfectly.
Ron

Not unkind, it is what it is. If she were unhappy she wouldn't have posed. Unkind would be if you'd manipulated it into something she isn't. Just reading what George has said. the plastic look is unkind, even on young models. Strong and characterful with that bold stare.

Not unkind, it is what it is. If she were unhappy she wouldn't have posed.
Unkind would be if you'd manipulated it into something she isn't.
Just reading what George has said. the plastic look is unkind, even on young models.

Strong and characterful with that bold stare.

I reckon that less of a crop would have improved the image for me Dudler ;) Steve

I reckon that less of a crop would have improved the image for me Dudler


Steve

Those eyes, terrific, a truly memorable portrait. mike

Those eyes, terrific, a truly memorable portrait.

mike

Piercing eyes

Piercing eyes

It's a very 'real' picture John and I'm into 'real' so no problems here. Have to say though, for once I kind of like the mod. John:)

It's a very 'real' picture John and I'm into 'real' so no problems here.
Have to say though, for once I kind of like the mod.

John

There's an angry woman. BEWARE!

There's an angry woman. BEWARE!

I know Angel very well indeed from past shoots, she is truly beautiful indeed!

I know Angel very well indeed from past shoots, she is truly beautiful indeed!