Taken in macro mode with timer on a tripod. Zoomed into the cigarette, focused on that, then physically moved out to get the model in the picture, while still holding the shutter halfway to stay focused on the cherry of the cig. Snapped shutter and waited for timer to take photo. Changed to b/w in camera.
In Photoshop, adjusted contrast, brightness, and curves.
Statistics
Place: 152 out of 256 Avg (all users): 4.7816 Avg (commenters): 5.6316 Avg (participants): 4.6545 Avg (non-participants): 4.8742 Views since voting: 1350 Votes: 261 Comments: 21 Favorites: 0
Composition: Subject Placement, Cropping, Background (20% Weight): 6
Technical: Focus, Exposure, Lighting, Processing (20% Weight): 4
Appeal: Is it Interesting, Motivating, Etc. (30% Weight): 5
How well does it meet the challenge (30% Weight): 8
Total Rating (Rounded) 6
This shot could be amazing -- I'd increase the contrast on the hand and cigarette more, crop it a bit closer, and make it nearly abstract...as it is, 5
I like the composition and the DOF alot, but I'd like to see just a few more midtones, especially around the hand, to distinguish it from the background.
I don't know if this was intentional on your part bu this is way too high key and contrasty. Some shadow details in her hand and more visible smoke would have been nice. I'm distracted by that area of shadowy lumpiness between her hand and her hair. I like the perspective.
Not enough focus, and washed out. If her hand was held higher, so that you could crop real close in on it, and still keep her face in the shot, this would work better. Then, the focused part would take up more of the image. As it is, there is a lot of empty space that isn't adding to the image or the idea.
A very unusual portrait. At first glance, I saw a hand under her chin with a finger pushing the chin up.... So it's abit mysterious and makes you look twice.
This is a great photo. I think the challenge in capturing these "smoking" shots in b&w is difficult because of the obvious need to contrast. But here, you've done it nicely. Composition is nice with good use of f-value to emphasize the theme. Nice work!
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