I love the pensive nature of this portrait. It's somewhat standoffish, even though her eyes are somewhat gentler, almost beckoning. There's also a very nice bit of sexual ambiguity in that, except for the detail of the earrings, the woman's isn't overtly feminine.
On a technical note, while I understand the allure of the shallow DOF of a 135mm focal length at f/2 on 35mm (or full frame digital), much of your work actually benefits from enough focus to encompass the whole of the subject. Here, in particular, more crispness to the world-weary lines of this woman's face would only have aided the sense of ambiguity I observe here. Also, I'm not sure color adds anything here. It would be a stronger image monochromatic, filtered to darken the blue garb so that her aged face rises dramatically from a palette of dark tones.
Still, it's a fine portrait as you've rendered it.
Guest
17-Oct-2006 00:59
Fabulous portrait. Beautifully sharp eyes with that amazing dof. I wonder about her look - her eyes and furrowed brow tell a story of concern...
