Very well done portrait. Your model comes forth beautifully and the setting/background has excellent detail. The photo does a very fine job of telling the story, too. Excellent.
With respect to your question about a contest entry I have two thoughts. You probably won't like either. So let me say at the start that they are only my views. In no way should you let them deter you from what YOU really want to do. And, I am sure no one else will agree with me. So, I am only answering your question, and am doing so because I believe the worst you can show another is indifference not disagreement; because disagreement is acknowledgement and that is why we all want comments. That said this is what I think about your question: Entering into contests changes one's perspective from making photography being your offering of your view and insight to the world and your friends to worries about "will they think it looks good". It does not seem like a big deal at first, but it works its way into your thought and perspective. This is the basis of Mald's remarks towards me. He is saying "compared to me you suck as a photographer". The problem is HE is the one doing the comparing. And, it is very limiting because Mald can never go back to just doing FUN photography because he is so concerned about what others would think. Mald is a worse case example, I think. Others, by degree. It is important to understand the frame of mind you must take when entering a contest. The intent is not to please yourself, but instead to strive to please others. The second thought I would offer is consider the photo itself. Just compare it to Phototoad's recent postings of babies. You might ask yourself: what is the emotional quality of the two and on a competitive level which invites more attention. Well, probably babies. And, why? Because they are upbeat. Your photo is downbeat. In an contest of emotional quality your photo would lose. So, this is important to remember. If you are going to enter competitive/comparing contests it is important to remember that your captures have to WOW photographically and WOW emotionally, too. This is my answer to your question. As I said before be sure to remember that your perspective is most important. Because when you lose the contest you will feel very rejected so you must take something away with you. I hope it will be insight, rather than the bitterness that drives photographers like Mald. For what happens is that photographers such as these become involved in a constant contest in their own mind. And, this is all that drives them. They have lost the wonder of photography.
Hear Hear ! Well said and put Bobwed - photographt means different things to different people as long as you enjoy it what does it matter what others think!!
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