Critique this photo please

August 7th, 2021
Sometimes I think I stare at a photo too long and don't know what to think anymore..
I would like some critique on the pose, composition, etc. Please and thank you!

August 8th, 2021
Pretty well composed, but the black tunic makes it appear the head and arms have been severed. Perhaps the head and hair, with the arms down so they can't be seen...
August 8th, 2021
Beautifully lit, enigmatic with the eyes not quite looking directly at me, the viewer, which is a bit unnerving. I'm not sure about the hair arrangement Geneveive, Is it hair or a cushion? I'm no expert, can only go on instinct, so ignore me by all means.

Most importantly. What do you think about this image? Why did you select this one for critique??

August 8th, 2021
Nice lighting, not too contrasty, although I might have put more on the hair, which looks a bit flat. I'm afraid I don't like the pose, though. The asymmetrical arrangement of the arms looks a bit unbalanced, and makes the hands look claw-like. In my opinion she needs to be looking straight into the lens. A lighter t-shirt would have helped, as well, I think
August 8th, 2021
I should add to my previous comment that I really like the head/face and the hair. Against the background it's a really intriguing shot.
August 8th, 2021
@30pics4jackiesdiamond
Wow, thank you so much for the feedback! It was her idea to lay down like this, and mine to spread the hair out to make it eye catching. While I like the photo, there’s definitely something bothering me about it. Most likely a combination of the pose, DOF, and the dark shirt on a dark background.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to respond with your criticism! I am taking all of this into consideration and will be applying the advice for our next shoot like this.
August 9th, 2021
While I think it is well done and I am no expert, I feel the hair in the back is disconnected from the rest of her. She looks relaxed while the hair looks more wild, unruly. Perhaps the hair around her face should be less controlled to match?
August 9th, 2021
I understand the concept and like the overall idea of it. I'm not crazy about the pose- this is a picture of a young girl and it's a little too "grown-up" for me, but that is an opinion, not art. I would definitely like to see her eyes looking straight at the camera. I don't have a problem with the hair surrounding her face, but I think the way it's spread out makes it look like she's got a third hand on one of those static electricity things. So if I were taking the picture, I'd come in tight on the face and hair, with her looking right into the camera. I did this once when I was doing a photo shoot of my granddaughter wearing a fur rimmed winter coat here:
https://365project.org/olivetreeann/365/2021-01-19

Although that version is in color, I have also done it in black and white and it was accepted in a couple shows that way. All that to say, I'd suggest cropping your shot tighter around her face, bring the hair in a bit, and have her looking straight at the camera. Also keep it in black and white. She has such a lovely face the black and white really shows that.
August 10th, 2021
@olivetreeann not sure how it’s “too grown-up”?
I will take your input into consideration and apply it to our next photoshoot like this! Thank you!
August 11th, 2021
@gennaowens It's just my personal taste- I see many older models with this kind of pose designed to bring out the bust and it can be kind of evocative. The black background and the way the picture is cropped minimizes that completely but I do find the angle of her arms just a little distracting because of that. Again- it's really my opinion so please take it as such- an opinion only.
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