MAK, even though the flame is blown out (wait, that sounds weird, but you know what I mean), I find this by far the most intriguing entry of the challenge. It's the only one in the top echelons that combines strong emotion with the theme and makes me want to know more. Top work.
I like the expression on the woman’s face – as if she is very concerned with something or even scared – the skin detail adds to the mood. Hope this image will not be voted down because of the “fire” being in the background.
This is nice. There's some story to this perhaps? A lot of sweat or glare visible on her face is a distraction for me and changes the mood of the image. Without sweat/glare: quite contemplation.
With sweat/glare: fear and anxiety.
Trying to capture a flame whilst also trying to expose correctly for a subject lit by the same flame is a nightmare situation, the exposure here favours the model, thus blowing out any detail in the flame (which, apart from the small amount of blue at the base, looks like a white blob to me). However, the focus on the models eye is bang on, the colour is well controlled and the DOF is to die for.. a pretty good study that was always going to be tricky to expose for.
Good luck (either Mak or Hanae).
The lighting on the face is perhaps not the most flattering as it has made the skin quite textured and shiny in places. You've done well to get the sharpness on the leading eye given the low light conditions
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