Submitted by TampaDan on Tue, 2005/08/02 - 3:05pm.
At first glance this photo is quite compelling and appealing. I particularly enjoy the pearls and the way the lighting has cast the shadows of the pearls. This gives the image some depth and adds sensuality. And the positioning of the fingers creates a nice composition. But after looking awhile something seems to be missing. The image seems “flat” and not as erotic or as sensuous as it could be.
The first thing that bothers me is the texture and fit of the gloves. They appear to be rather thick, suede-type gloves, kind of like my wife’s garden gloves. I think tight-fitting, smooth leather would be more sensual and appealing against a women’s bosom. Also, the color is not the shade of red I would relate with “erotic.” The overall effect of the gloves, for me, is too harsh a contrast that doesn’t quite fit the feeling that the image I think is trying to portray.
The second part that doesn’t quite work for me is the desaturation itself. I think I would have preferred if the woman and the pearls were not completely desaturated, but left with just a soft hint of skin color, and the gloves left at full saturation. That would still give the effect of contrast but with a little more sensuality. As such, the image lacks some warmth and attachment and seems a bit cold. Or, you could have gone with black gloves and kept it as a somewhat high-key B&W.
I really like how you cropped the image at the top, but I would like to see a slightly wider crop. Again, I think this would add to the eroticism and sensuality and draw the viewer in deeper.
Some of this is a matter of taste of course. We all have different views as to what is erotic. Although I do not know your intentions, I think it’s a great attempt at creating a sensual image with a bold, graphic style. If you were aiming at a more traditional erotic portrait however, it just misses the mark for me.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed within this critique do not represent anyone but the author…a complete stranger untrained in Art or Photography with no claim whatsoever of being an expert or even knowing what the hell he’s talking about. Feel free to disregard and ignore any and all opinions expressed in this critique.
At first glance this photo is quite compelling and appealing. I particularly enjoy the pearls and the way the lighting has cast the shadows of the pearls. This gives the image some depth and adds sensuality. And the positioning of the fingers creates a nice composition. But after looking awhile something seems to be missing. The image seems “flat” and not as erotic or as sensuous as it could be.
The first thing that bothers me is the texture and fit of the gloves. They appear to be rather thick, suede-type gloves, kind of like my wife’s garden gloves. I think tight-fitting, smooth leather would be more sensual and appealing against a women’s bosom. Also, the color is not the shade of red I would relate with “erotic.” The overall effect of the gloves, for me, is too harsh a contrast that doesn’t quite fit the feeling that the image I think is trying to portray.
The second part that doesn’t quite work for me is the desaturation itself. I think I would have preferred if the woman and the pearls were not completely desaturated, but left with just a soft hint of skin color, and the gloves left at full saturation. That would still give the effect of contrast but with a little more sensuality. As such, the image lacks some warmth and attachment and seems a bit cold. Or, you could have gone with black gloves and kept it as a somewhat high-key B&W.
I really like how you cropped the image at the top, but I would like to see a slightly wider crop. Again, I think this would add to the eroticism and sensuality and draw the viewer in deeper.
Some of this is a matter of taste of course. We all have different views as to what is erotic. Although I do not know your intentions, I think it’s a great attempt at creating a sensual image with a bold, graphic style. If you were aiming at a more traditional erotic portrait however, it just misses the mark for me.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed within this critique do not represent anyone but the author…a complete stranger untrained in Art or Photography with no claim whatsoever of being an expert or even knowing what the hell he’s talking about. Feel free to disregard and ignore any and all opinions expressed in this critique.