In a Green Chair

I have been dithering about this shot for weeks now but have finally decided to post it in 'celebration' of, amazingly, my 12,000th post on RPF - how did that happen? It was taken during the same session that led to http://www.realphotographersforum.com/general/11188-keeper-secrets.html.

InaRockingChair-1_zps968acf70.jpg



Leica M9 + 35mm Leica Summilux M f1:1.4. ISO 320, 1/60s at f1:1.4. PP in LR and Nik ColorFX Pro 4.
 
Oh, what to say? It's a really arresting image. Soft, beautiful greens, and soft, beautiful skin - and then that look. What is she expressing with those eyes, the tight lips, the slightly turned up nose? I'll need to think about this one!
 
It's very enigmatic as Rob was saying, the expression alone is going to have me looking back..... A modern day mona lisa? is there a hint of a smile? is it annoyance? hmmmm. That aside I love the tone, it has an earthiness about it i like, a natural natural-ness(?) as opposed to a fake one
 
I knew this was yours Pete before I even came into the section. I absolutely love the framing, the processing and THAT expression. I don't know what to make of it either, but it is totally natural. This is an image I will remember for a very long time... :)

Oh... and this is your 12,000th post because you are always in here offering your invaluable advice, for which we are eternally grateful :)
 
Excellent Pete, and I would expect nothing less, but do you know what, although I really like the framing I keep getting drawn to the chair back and want to chop it off just so I can concentrate on the eye contact.

I think because as I scan around the image after making Eye contact I find I'm wandering along those leading lines to the top right.

Might be the light on the chair back thats distracting me..

Great image though Pete as I said, wouldn't expect anything less.
 
Thank you all. The look etc is of course all down to the model but I am guilty of the composition. The split was quite deliberate and I like the way the eye drifts back to the chair. During my dithering I did crop it square though as a more conventional portrait but, in the end, I missed the tension that the two parts created. Anyway, thanks again for the comments. :)
 
The movement across and around the image is what I enjoyed. The conflict works well and comes across as being deliberate, or a scene that is not isolating any one element. The chair seems as important as the person as it is a representation of something, even if it is a chair. The more I look at this image the more I realise I am attracted to the chair because the portrait is challenging.The composition of the V shape the figure and the chair make's is superb, each off in a different direction. Some of the reasons I see this as such a good image and why for me it is alive, has depth and is challenging.
 
Superb, Pete. :)

The opposing movements of the chair and her body towards upper corners.
A sweet tone of green and background tint, and her interpretive impression.
 
Is she getting up or sitting doon,....or rocking a wee bit to and fro? I can't decide, and that is how it should be.

I love the chair. And I love that eye! And it's all so delightfully, and just exactly so sufficiently, fuzzy-wuzzy. Wonderful image, Pete.
 
If you posted that on DPreview you'd be eaten. You'd get the sharpness lecture and talk about "blowing out of the water", "L-Glass", Raw and suchlike.That usually means you've got something. Very enigmatic. Would be a fine picture on the wall.
 
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