Please critique

[Mark Gil]

This is another portrait of my daughter, different pose. This one, like with the last, I'm experimenting with lights and darks. An artist friend of mine used to always tell me, "Darken your darks and lighten your lights". I'm trying to create drama without going overboard. Apparently, there is a fine line. Opinions welcomed.

Thanks,
Mark

[Chris Saper]

Dear Mark,

Thank you for posting this delightful image of your daughter. How lucky to have a redhead model at hand!

I have just a couple of questions/ observations to offer...

-Color temperature. For the shadows to run as warm as they appear, you would likely have a relatively cool light source, which you would generally have with a model lit indirectly through a window. In this case, cooler hues (blues, greens, violets) on the lit areas of skin, hair and shirt would clarify the nature of your light source. (In the case of direct sulight strinking the face, just the opposite temperature pattern would occur.)

-Color saturation. I must preface this comment (the others, too) by saying that what I see on my monitor may be limiting. However, the shadow areas of skin seem to be very intense in color, most notably in the neck. By greying them a little with their complements, I think you can increase the sense of depth and form receding into the shadow.

-Edges. Because the shadowed areas between hair and skin are as sharp as the edges on the silhouette in general, and the collar, it is a little difficult to know where the viewer's eye should land. If you leave just one edge sharper than the others, you can support the center of interest in a stronger fashion.

There is also a noticable tangent that is formed where the white collar "points" to the division of light and shadow on the chin...it's accentuated because there is high contrast, as well as a sharp edge. Moving the collar line, reducing the contrast, and softening the edge of the collar where it touches the throat would be an easy correction.

This being said, I think you should continue your experimenting with full value ranges, as they will absolutely help you place drama in your images.

Good luck to you,
Chris

[Mark Gil]

I really appreciate your critique. This forum is a big help. The light source was a bright lamp. I never realized the collar running into the chin, the way it is, until now. I may need your advice on a commission I'm fixing to start on. The client wants a 20 x 24 portrait and all I'll have to work from is an 8 x 10 black and white photograph, about 45 years old. I may post it, half way done for opinions.

Thanks again,
Mark Gil