Didn't get to vote on this one ( or many others ) but would have given this an 8 I think. Not much I can find to criticize. IMO didn't deserve some of the lower votes at all.
Elegant portrait. You really captured all the nuances of tone and texture. That is a very nice backdrop as well. I would have liked to see the left ear tucked up inside the hat rather then bent over. A 9.
Very nice picture, certainly nothing wrong with it from that aspect. The exposure is good, whites are white. I'm not an expert on portraits but the lighting appears well done for the subject matter.
Unfortunately, the hat appears gold instead of yellow to me and I feel I have to dock some points for that for this particular challenge. Sorry.