Nape

[Daisy Mae]

[IMG] Nape by Sharon Reid2010, on Flickr[/IMG]

Something a bit different from my usual.

All C&C welcome.

[Mike Buckley]

What's not to like?

[Shadowman]

Nice.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice

[Kris V]

As usual - gorgeous.

[kdoc856]

I love the concept and image with one possible exception (and this may only be secondary to my medical background): that the application of the same texture to the background and the skin renders the skin looking slightly mottled and almost rash-like. But please consider the source . I personally find the nape a compellingly vulnerable and appealing anatomical feature.

[bnnrcn]

Sharon, I think I agree with Kevin.Do you think it can be fixed with some PP?

[Wavelength]

I like it; the power of this image is from that silky hair lock

[Kaye Leggett]

Beautiful - truly beautiful. Does the person who modelled for you like it ?
I like the background and the skin having the same look - if I were to change anything I would eliminate the dress detail bottom right as I think this takes away from the vulnerability which Kevin has highlighted - but Sharon your photography is far superior to mine, so this is a very small suggestion

[Mike Buckley]

I can't wait to see Sharon's comment about the skin. Personally, I like its similarity with the background.

[wlou]

Sharon, its a beauty. The softness and shape of the hair makes it for me.

[shreds]

Hi Sharon,

It seems to be clear that the dress was very deliberately included, but I did wonder if the shot became more intriguing if the obvious hair bun at the top of the shot was cropped, leaving the wisp of hair on the neck? The delicate necklace is crucial to the title.

Just my thr'p'nce. Feel free to ignore! Feels a bit like telling Ansel Adams how to take better photos!

[FootLoose]

I see the texture as being on the surface of the photograph rather than being part of the background or on the skin. It is that texture, along with the tone of the colour, that gives the image a 1940s feel for me.

But I do like the shapes in this shot and the opposing lines of the necklace and the wayward curl. All well seen, and captured and processed, Sharon.

[kdoc856]

Other than the possible consideration about the texture over the skin, I think any compositional adjustments would be a mistake: the bun and the inclusion of the dress of the same colour at bottom create a very nice triangular framing of the curl that I wouldn't want to lose. The neck line and the necklace form lovely diagonals that add interest and balance and contrast beautifully with the smooth and graceful contours of the curl and neck line.. Overall, I think it's brilliant.

[ajsmith]

This is very nice. I wouldn't take out any of the elements. I like the triangles that the neck and background form. Not sure about the textured overlay. Looks good, but would have to see it masked out of the neck area to decide which I liked better. The clothing at the bottom adds interest too... since you can't see her face, makes you wonder if she is dressed up for a party or casual at the beach.

[Mike Buckley]

I think any compositional adjustments would be a mistake

Completely agree.

[Dave Humphries]

Love it

I have a suspicion the model might be Sharon herself

It ticks all the boxes for me.
I wouldn't change a thing - but then I'd never have the artistic foresight to shoot it - unless copying someone else's shot.

[Digital]

Sensual.



Bruce

[John 2]

Love it

............. - but then I'd never have the artistic foresight to shoot it - unless copying someone else's shot.

Couldn't put it better.

[Daisy Mae]

I would normally have responded much earlier but I was having way too much fun reading your posts.

Firstly, I am pleased that by and large you all seem to like it. Mr Humphries is very astute, it is indeed a self portrait and for those who are interested this is how it came about.

I was about to get into the tub and I twisted my hair into a quick bun and started to slide my robe off when I caught sight of that stray wisp of hair in the mirror. I nipped off and got my compact camera from the hall table and with a teensy bit of contortion and the mirror I got the shot.

Obviously there was no lighting set up!

The textured layer divided opinion but I really didn't want a contemporary look to the shot and to me it worked perfectly...the fact that it smoothed over some problems caused by the brash household lighting was just a bonus. The colour is also warmed up slightly.

Ian suggested the crop I had been considering and I thank him for that ...the strength of opinion displayed against that crop was also very useful to me in making decisions .

I have some plans for this picture and will let you know if they come to pass.

Thank you all.