This is an image that didn't make my final cut last fall when I took it. I'm sure I scraped it because it didn't have "pretty" even lighting. When I came across it this time around, it just jumped out at me. No one else I've asked seems to like it though. So what are your thoughts?

I like that you've got light in her left eye. It's easy to lose that. I think this is almost there. If you look at the shadow from her nose, it goes off the line of her cheekbone. If she was turned just a bit, or the light was a little more to that side, or even if there was some light source bouncing light into that dark area, it would be better. Conversely, if there was no light on that side of the face it might be more dramatic. The only other thing I see is that her right arm is screaming for attention. Crop that out and see how it looks.

Ok, Mark stole my thunder. We oddly think alike..... I think it's something about our names. Anyway, I was going to say crop out her arm. I actually really like the lighting if she wasn't so static. If she was doing something with her hair or at more of an angle or something, that would make it more appealing. There's really no artistic S curve going on here so there's nowhere for your eye to go. Too bad her arm is so hot. Ooh wait, maybe if it was cropped super tight? Just an idea.

No I don't have time for this, but I did it anyway. Here's just a thought. With a tighter shot you have a nice natural S from top to bottom following the curvature of her face. Doesn't mean it's right by any means. Oh and I thought her shirt was too busy and stole attention from her face.

Click to view attachment

yep, what Mark said

LOL

Thanks Mark and Mark, lol. I really appreciate the specific comments. It gives me some things to think about next time around.