B/W critique please...

[newbad]

How is my b/w conversion here? Is it too dark? Also, how is the angle and composition? I have been trying to incorporate new angles and composition into my portraits.



Exif data
Camera Nikon D60
Exposure 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture f/4.0
Focal Length 35 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash No Flash

[Photologyst]

Not too dark, however, there is not enough differential in the exposure to me. I prefer light on one side, shadow on the other for effective B & W photos.

For me, the angle is very unflattering. It distorts her face, instead of focusing on the lovely eyes and mouth the subject seems to be the nose.

[SwissJon]

The angle is wrong for a wide angle photo, it accentuates her nose.. You'd have been better off pulling back and using a longer focal length.

The lighter side seems a little blown out and the darker side isn't dark enough.

I also find the background a little distracting.. A darker background might have helped.

Having said that, I like the photo.. But you asked for critique, not complements.

[Trish Phillips Johnson]

The best thing about this shot is how you made her eyes pop! They just jump out at you. I do not like the hair pins, they stick out to much. But, that is not your fault. It does not look to dark to me. I love the fact that you did not retouch and left her freckles. I like the fact that you can see the fur from her jacket. That adds another element to frame her face. The angle is a little unflattering to her nose. The other side of her nose may have been better. But all and all, it's a great shot. Good job!

[RLucas]

I'll be the odd one out here, and say leave it alone! I think the conversion is great, and just punchy enough. You may want to push the mid tones a bit on the shadow side of her face. That would be all I would do.
I like the fact that you went against "rules" and used a wider angle than normally preferred. I don't feel it is unflattering at all. The photo is quirky and fun. I like it!

Edit: I looked at it on the gray screen on flickr, and it looks wonderful!

[kristenh]

i think you did a great job with the eyes. very lovely. and i don't think the angle is a bad one- but the nose does jump out at you a little too much. i tried (with the high tech method of covering the pic with my hand) cropping the whole left side out- starting with the bobby pin- so taking off about 1/4 from the left- and really liked the result.

[newbad]

Thanks for the feedback! Quirky and fun was what we were going for.