Do you like this photo? Why or why not?

[Carlos Santos]

This is a photo of my girlfriend I took in front of the entrance of her home. I'd be glad to read your opinion about it, specially the posing.
Canon 50d
Strobists: 40cm softbox on camera right fitted with 580XII Canon Flash, trigered by a Cactus radio flash transmiter.

[kylethemiller]

I like the Idea. But the image is a little busy. There is just too much skin. My eye is drawn to her arm where it meets the knee instead of her face.

Also, its not very flattering to shoot the back of a womans hand. I would have cropped that part out. Maybe having a horizontal image with her head on the right side looking into the picture. or the opposite looking out of the picture.

Also appears be on the bright side. Just tone it down a bit.

[MrJones]

the pose is nice and the colors are great. I just don't get the expression on her face.
it feels like a thousand expressions in one
one eye seems frightened, the lips say amazed.. and I can keep going.
btw, now that I've looked at it more than one time, the arm feels weird standing parallel to the face.

[Photologyst]

Gorgeous girl.

However, the pose makes her seem out of proportion. That is, her hands and legs are large in comparison to the head. Also, she is hunched forward. Not flattering.

Try again?

[BigFuzzy]

Since you asked a yes/no question, I have to say no and here are my reasons.

First thing, it seems overexposed to the point that the colors are washed out. I'm sure you were going for some sort of high-key, but to me it just feels washed out and faded.

Also, her eyes don't appear to be in focus, and for me (and many others I'd wager), that's a big no-no. To me a portrait always has to have the eyes in focus unless for a specific reason, and I don't believe you have a reason.

The background is very messy.. you have white walls, grey-ish walls and black areas all behind her, very distracting.

I also don't like the crop, her finger tips are cut off, you see just a weird chunk of her left leg, that little sliver of orange on the left.. yeah, it's just too busy.

And lastly, it just feels too posed to me as if you were standing there saying "pose for the camera".. and fine, if that's what you want, do it, but I like images that don't feel so posed.

Sorry if I sound harsh, but first, I'm only one guy, and second, honestly is the only way to help.

[mandyatm]

I agree with what was said. She is a pretty girl and I see where you were going here, but my eye keeps being pulled down to her hand on her leg. It isn't balanced. If you crop just above her right hand, it might look much better. I think they eyes are fine, at least to me.