Shee, she looks further away in the top one coz the picture is smaller than the second one, which is further emphasised by the crop.... ;-) Now, I like the first one still, but I really like the second one. It's like, BAM! she's there to look at and that is that! Nowhere for your eyes to wander, she IS the subject, full stop. I know this is the point that I get niggly, but it's the way I work myself so I'm not just doing it to be critical... I look at the pic and think about what I AM looking at and what I SHOULD be looking at. (When these are the same I'm usually finished, see?) At the moment I am looking at her earring. It's brighter than everything else around it - I would mask it and add a touch of a burn to tone it down. And there's a white spot on her tooth that's doing my head in too. But that's it. What you need to remember though is anything above is just my point of view, or the way I would do it - it doesn't mean it agrees with what you want or how you want the picture to appear.....when I was younger, more influenced by people who knew better and not so vain I also used to ask for comments. And (this bit is totally true, if not entirely believable, Shell!) I tried EVERYTHING that EVERYONE suggested. Over time I learned which tips to adopt and which tips didn't suit my style. Now I'm arrogant enough to ignore what people think and do the picture how I damn well want whether it's right or wrong :-D (",)