Labelled- A Self Portrait

[MMinno]

Due to recent events in my life, I have taken this as an emotional outlet. This is my way of speaking to the world, telling it as much as I can with one word, and a blank facial expression. The lighting is supposed to add to the "spotlight" feel, because I wanted it to seem like I was under a public spotlight: everyone staring only at me. All attention on me, watching my every move, scrutinizing.

Nikon D3000
Portrait Mode, Self Timer
No additional lighting; just the in-camera flash.

What do you think of the lipstick smudge? Does it actually LOOK like a lipstick smudge, or like I got punched in the mouth? Both work, as both have a different impact, but I was going for the lipstick smudge.

Is the hair wild enough, and does the lighting effectively portray what I was going for?

[pjflan7]

honestly, it looks neither like a punch or lipstick smudge.....kind of dirty perhaps. It is hard to see the "wildness" of the hair because it is underexposed with so much of it pure black with no details. Otherwise I believe that the other elements you were after are effectively presented.

[jandss]

really the only thing distracting for me from the overall image/feeling is the lipstick smudge/smudgy bit on your mouth...it looks photoshopped maybe? most lipstick smudges run off onto the cheek in a semi-curved fashion though

[MMinno]

Originally Posted by jandss

really the only thing distracting for me from the overall image/feeling is the lipstick smudge/smudgy bit on your mouth...it looks photoshopped maybe? most lipstick smudges run off onto the cheek in a semi-curved fashion though

I do agree that it looks photoshopped. I really just took my fingers and pushed my lips up towards my cheekbone.

Thank you both for your feedback. :]

[loriejean72]

I know the word "whore" is on the forehead...but there is a glowing halo all around the head like she is an angel... It's an oxymoron to me...If that is what you were going for...it's thought provoking. But I don't think that is what you were going for. Perhaps the spotlight should be coming in from one side, casting a dark shadow across the face...if you want to make me think she is a dark character...lol (I know it's a self-portrait).