A superbly posed and exposed unprocessed image. As is I find the background a bit strong and the skin needs softening and the blemishes cloning out. But you know that because we've seen the other (perfect) shots you took of her.

thx for looking... yes - you're right...there are some little "skin-errors" and yup its not softened...I'll upload tomorrow the version in "high-key" look as the others...as the last one of this shooting. According the background, hehe, sorry - the only stand-alone background I own... ;-)

Mark,

I can see by the catchlights in the eyes, you used at least two lights to light her. Your lighting is "flat" that is to say there is no contrast or shadowing on her face. Try turning down your fill light (not the main light) about 1-2 stops less than your main light. This will give the face more deminsion.

By no means am I an expert on this, but I am striving to perfect my lighting techniques as well. Feel free to look at my images posted on this site for some examples of portrait work and how I light them.

Good luck with yours as you are off to a great start!

Isn't this fun!

Michael - I think this is a strong portrait - blemish or no blemish. But IMO she should be looking at the camera... I think with eyes like this she would blow the viewer away.

I like the blue of the background, would wish OTOH that her skin tone would be a tick warmer. But then I am not a portrait expert, know hardly anything of studio photography, which seems to be a world of its own.

All the best

Yvonne

Image is very sharp, and you've got a great model! I however think she should have looked into the lens, and I personally find blemishes not so great for a portret like this, just my opinion..

10 times better than the ovesoft b&w face-portrait.

I think I'll go for a b/w-version but without softening it! regards, M.S.