David and Carl commented on this portrait of Valerie that the emphasis on the left breast plus the robe makes the image more cartoon like (while some females apparently didn't feel so). As this is clearly a matter of taste I'd like to ask explicitely the female viewers think about it. Perhaps compared to the next one:

Gerald

Variation on the theme of the last image now with Nina as model (and a different robe).

Gerald

To add: The idea for this setup was inspired by some of the images "Roselyne in Arcangues" by H. Newton in 1975. Now we had no castle and the robes were of different style...

Gerald

Personally, I don't like the dress and the background both being dark. Especially in the second picture on my monitor the dress and background completely blend. It's almost as if pieces of the lady were cut away. But hey, I'm just a guy ;)

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If you really want my honest opinion...

I like the quality,tone and pose of the top image.But I do not like the 'one breast' part of it.It just looks strange to me.Forgive me for saying so,but it almost looks like she's had a mastectomy to me...Wish I felt differently,because it really is a fine shot.

In the second one,you have a fine capture,as well.The skin tones look lovely,and her pose is cute and engaging.But I agree.The 'blacks' are too close.I can see the difference,but it is still too close in tone to make an effective compo,IMHO.And while this 'one breast' image looks less like a mastectomy to me,I'm not fond of her dress...Perhaps a gauzy white toga...or something more elegant like that...

Just MHO.Hope that's okay.
Marlene :^)

Message edited on: 01/23/2006 17:12

Marlene <")

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Thanks to Rinze & Marlene so far for your frank comments. Actually my conclusion is that the major problem is the black robe on the black background, while the exposed single breast is less a problem. See this example of the 15th century (Agnes Sorel; there are similar depictions of Diane de Poitiers or countless Maria Lactans paintings...)

Gerald

Hiya! I think there are perhaps more natural ways to pose those kinds of shots, I agree about the colour of the robe or dress blending with the background and also think that somethin in a lighter colour could be better! :) I think the pose looks a little odd, but with experimentation im sure the perfect pose will come along!