taken in italy on a disposable camera

I didn't see the other one... This one, though, is really good. I like how the backgound tones are with the white of the flower. The dof is wonderful. However, I would have the flower a little bit more off centre.

I like the grainyness of the picture. You can almost picture in your head what the original colours must have been like. Very nice.

cutebutstupid,

Thanks for the comment.
Yeah i think it needs moved a bit off center also!

TheAntipode,

Thanks for the kind comment.

i dunno, i'd kind of like to see something done with the whole in the leaf next to the flower...composition wise i think that's something that is too different to let blend into the background. maybe dodge it, highlight it somehow...? i'm not sure, it just strikes me as carelessly distracting right now, like that's what my eye gets drawn to...maybe it's just me

raphshap,

Thanks for your comment..
I thought the hole was a bit distracting but you are the first to mention it!

In my opinion this take would improve 90% whithout the black strip at the top, i account for the next 10 % more level adjustment on the face.(which could be hard not bringing an overburn effect on the sky)

A closer crop down the crown of the subject's head would definitely improve this image. But on the whole is a great expression and therefore a terrific image.

The perspective is unusual for a portrait but Ilike the point of view. It`s very expressive. I also think, it`s better without the black strip at the top.

i disagree! i think the black strip adds a lot to the picture, makes it something different from a normal portrait. maybe cut it down a little so it doesn't dominate the frame as much, but i really like it. it makes a frame for the face, and really reminds me of paintings like rothko's color fields. i dunno, that's what i got from it

sieht en bissel verrafft aus der kerl...

Based upon the criteria of the subject this is a very good take

My first thought (and I think this a lot mind you) when I looked at the image was "more contrast". But keeping the topic in Mind I think it's ok. But perhaps there is some way to get more contrast while keeping the dark areas nice and light and soft. I'm not really sure.

It's good though, a nice fluffy cloud. Really shows texture. I wish I could nap on it with a good friend or two.

I'm sorry, but I don't see the point of using high-key in this case. The very low contrast makes it barely possible to see the subject and I don't really think it helps achieving the "puffy texture" look you are probably after.

Did "use" anything here, this is almost exactly out of camera.

i think this is pretty cool, it reminds me of a detail of a turner painting or something, but i'm not sure if it really stands on its own...

Not sure of the Topic placement...? Does she fly???

The framing feels top heavy. I would have cropped this more to a square and lost some of the top and a little of the bottom, to get just above the bottom of the white part of her habit and loose the black edge of the wall on the lower left. This would really focus the interest on her face more.

This is a fascinating subject. The woman is nicely seperated from the background and the lighting works well. What I don't like is the composition. A lot needs to come off the top and more space is needed at the bottom. The bottom of her habit should not touch the bottom edge of the picture. Cropping out the top to below the plug (?) and adding some to the bottom via PS would hughly improve this otherwise very nice image.

yes i would definitely agree about cutting out the plug, i found that distracting. i think this is a great shot though...is there anyway to balance out the focus? sharpen the background? i think the juxtaposition of the "wired" nun and the medieval reliefs in back could be really cool