Thanks everyone for your input. In doing the pp on this one I definitely lost some of the focus on the eyes. I'm going to start over and see if I can get a better result. I might post the new version under a different topic, si if you see it please let me know if you think there's an improvement.

was selective desaturation used for this image? Very powerful. Striking. You could have perhaps improved the catchlights in the eyes but I don't feel the image warrnats this. Still strong.

j'aime l'ambiance et le fait d'etre absorber par le regard.

Very nicely done - great eyes and great mouth are a great combination.

Cheers,
Jon

really intimate and striking portrait.i think it's really honest. not a typical expression too. The eye whites seem too.. white thou, was it photoshopped?

i agree with boyd the bottom part (shadow of chin) should be cropped.

Are these silkworms? Really interesting photo.

Yes, silkworms in Xidi village, Anhui province, China.

Muchas gracias meyli por su critica. Saludos

Muchas gracias Jose Carlos por tu critica. Me alegro te hayan gustado tanto las texturas como el color conseguido, es cierto que nuestros molinos se nos muestran y posan así de bonitos para nosotros. Un abrazo.

Gracias por su critica Bradford, no emplee la textura del propio molino, sino una muy similar ajustando mucho los niveles.Saludos

It looks too obviously artificial to me (especially with the wires on the left).

Muchas gracias por su amable critica Attila, si mi traductor es correcto, entiendo que dice que ve artificial el trabajo especialmente por los "cables de la izquierda". Creo que precisamente el respetar esos cables, asi como los matorrales (tanto los de la izquierda como los de la derecha), obedece a intentar no hacer un trabajo artificial, sino todo lo contrario, lo más vivo y real posible dentro de lo que supone trabajar con procesos de fotomanipulación. Reciba un saludo

The flare spots on her face and back are too much for me. I also think the sky is too blown out, causing it to compete with the people and your model. The only way I know to get rid of the flare spots is to change your position relative to the sunlight so that the light is not directly shining down the barrel of the lens. These conditions are pretty tough IMHO.

Should have said that: I chose that place and upwards angle intentionally to get exactly that effect (I know this may sound weird and it probably isd :)
Please let's ignore that part for the moment.

Still - thanks very much Jeff!

I like what you are doing here. I would suggest to crop tighter to loose some of the left and top. This would mediate what Jeff is saying about the sky fighting for attention and it would make the portrait more intimate. The only part of the lens flare that bothers me is the ring that is right on the end of her nose. The rest I like.

OK you got the flare effect but the overall feel of the image doesn't really tell anything. It would've been a good portrait without the over-exposure and that sculpture over her head.

Me gusta la idea.
Saludos

Aside from the possibility that it might have been better posted to "shadows," your vision is 20/20. Well done!

dang ... i thought "things seen" was the catagory. dumb me ... your vision IS 20/20! i'll read more closely in the future. great photo

Excellent presentation. Creative idea, good tones and perfect balance. Deserved to be featured.

Great idea, excellent execution!

A winner on all the sites Tracy! This should be a feature pretty quickly ;)

Scott, this was the first in the series, he is trying to et her to 'come hither'

:)

Yes I seen most of the series when it was in screening on.....(whispers) "the other site".... but I liked this one the best, the look on their faces is excellent. Brings make memories of dating that special someone.

Perfect! Well deserved feature...such great feelings come from this! Did they know you were taking their picture?

Sweet!

Wow! thats an amazing shot...taken from another balloon?

Yes :)

wowoowowow. where is this??

Yeah, where is this? Somewhere in China, I guess?Those red buildings look interesting too.

Excelent photo, btw :) Nice shadow/sunshine on the two halfs of the balloon.

It's in Bagan, Burma (Myanmar).

I'm not sure what you're trying to tell me with his.

There really is no focal point.

I am also confused by this one. It is difficult to see what it is and my eyes don't know where to look, so I don't really know what to say.
Maybe you should have chosen to get a more wideangel shot. Or maybe just go closer and find some details. At least have something to focus on.

I concur. Without looking at what topic this was under, I really have no idea what it was I was looking at.

You have some beautiful light, however!

Best,
Jon

Scary..

well done!

very intense, I love how you captured the detail of her face, great job!

perfect one. it would be also cool in bw.

Let's see one with both eyes!

Best,
Jon

Very creepy. Perhaps a bit more contrast would make the shot more effective. Nice composition

Creepy subject, very interesting and imaginative camera angle. The exposure is blown out and the composition is cramped on the right.

UUUAAAAUUUU Great!!! I´m sure thre´s a story behind it. Great!!!

Creepy.. I'd cut the top though down to the doll's forehead.

Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for the ideas!