Portrait Critique Please?

[Paul Raven]

hey all,

I am working of a series of images on self image andrelationships. this also looks at how self image can lead to abuse or lack of depending on the situation you are in.

I have gradually started to become more raw in the imagery selection and some say grotesque but i want to stimulate the viewer however i can.

Please let me know your reaction to this shot

[Cindy K]

It makes me feel concerned for her

[Kathy]

Wow, very compelling shot!

[Cathy]

Looks like photographic evidence that could be used in a trial... the crop you chose really highlights her injuries... interesting subject.

[Paul Raven]

@kathysview thank you very much

[Paul Raven]

@calm @cindy_k thank you for the critique. I would also like to mention to everyone that these are all staged photographs

[cheryl]

@theemptyroom glad it was staged.. kind of made me hurt for her..
the crop is perfect to highlight the injury

[Sarah]

It makes me sad, she looks young, and yet very weary...

[Tracey H-N]

The look in her eye says she's tired, sad and empty.

[Sue Wilde]

I'd like to see this crop moved a little to the left...not much...just so that her nose doesn't look so uncomfortably sliced

[Hannah]

Not only is the make-up realistic and the expression saddening for the viewer, but what reall grabs me about it is the way she appears to be just starting to fade into the black background because of the shot...very powerful.

[Catherine Pace]

i wouldn't choose grotesque to describe this - a haunting, disturbingly realistic image - hit me in all the places you probably were aiming for

[Paul Raven]

@smarie @gozoinklings thank you for your comments I'm glad this was the reaction you had for this image

[Paul Raven]

@swilde I will definitely have a go at the original image and crop a little less and see how that effects the aesthetics

[Paul Raven]

@hannahr thanks :) for the comment and posing for this < 3

[Lisa Poland]

Wow, very powerful shot. Very realistic, hard to believe it's makeup. Personally, I like the cropping. Because so many people in these situations only see themselves as half a person.

[Paul Raven]

@homeschoolmom many thanks that's the exact reason I took half the image. Because in the situation there is only one side of the person left and that the emotionally traumatised side

[Lyn]

A strong image. I feel she looks haunted, that there is no future in her life. it makes me want to take her in and give her a cuddle and some warmth.

[Bee]

My first thought was domestic violence .. Powerful image

[Angela]

my son just walked past the computer and goes..."that is so yuk"

[Angela]

I can see and feel her pain...it is very suggestive of what you are trying to portray.

[Bre Stewart]

I love this. It is heartbreaking but shows SO much emotion... the contrast of her bruises and injuries look great... I mean, not great...but for the purpose of the photo, you know what I mean ;-)

[Tonya]

It portrays pain as well as emptiness. Almost like she has given up.