G - Yea, I remember reading something about that (aesthetic posing rule). I don't really remember what the "don't" was for that ... in fact, I don't really remember most "rules" since I tend to pretty much break them about as fast as I read them. I just tend to follow my gut and my eye. Haven't been into the gallery since I uploaded earlier today ... will be interesting to read the comments.

Message edited on: 01/24/2005 05:55

i don't know many rules. i tend to break most of them anyway.... as far as open hands...well, to me, open hands are...well...a sign of openness in general. that's just how i see it. as for this shot, i think the compo is right on. what i like about it are the diaganols (sorry==can't spell). how do i explain??? like how the corners are done. her head and breast make one diaganol line, and then her shoulder and elbow make another. X marks the spot! i think this would be an excellent submission into opposites challenge because your compo leads my eye to opposite corners. well, "opposites" is not the challenge for Feb. yet. but it may be. anyway, just my two cents. i'm like donald...i break rules and tend to go with my gut and what's pleasing to my eye. personally, i like her open hand here.

Ah yes the open hand can look straigned and will detract from the face. At it's worse the hand can match the color of the face and make the model seem like she has a swollen jaw or the hand palm will reflect the light creating a stobe - flash effect. In this case the hand is darker than the face so you still focus on the face but what if the hand was really dark? It would look like she was leaning a black triangle against her head. I don't know I think the close may be more visually appealing. OH. And all of the open hand conplaints was stuff I made up. As a joke. I'm glad you didn't crop her away. Bsteph

this I call it artistic nude the crop would cat al her feminility just jokini only the last bit

The open had does not bother me at all. I know nothing of "the rules" so I would not if anything was broken. My gut says this is a great shot. My eyes were instantly drawn to her face and her own eyes. I go along with everyone else when they say that they go with their gut. The only "rule" that I follow is create what I like as I am usually my toughest critic.

had never heard of an open hand rule... hmmm... doesn't bother me in the least :]