Black and White Processing #2

[Lorey]

Still working on a pleasing B&W processing. Although I liked the two I posted earlier on in this forum I think I like these a bit better. I also think I equally like the black or white edges.

My same #1 model and good friend. Thank you for viewing and any critiques.

http://www.lmbphotos.com/web_postings/P9290094bw.jpg

http://www.lmbphotos.com/web_postings/P9290095.jpg

[belliveau]

i like them both but i find the imperfections in the wood in the first shot a bit distracting and my eye keeps wandering.

[Lorey]

Thanks belliveau for the input. I saw the white specs there when I processed them and removed a couple of the larger ones and I thought what was left wouldn't be a real distraction. Since you pointed it out I removed what I could of them and I think it is a good improvement. Here they are after editing.

http://www.lmbphotos.com/web_postings/P9290094edit.jpg

http://www.lmbphotos.com/web_postings/P9290095edit.jpg

[Marko]

I think the model looks great. Sharp striking eyes and fab skin, fab smile.
What bugs me here is the background which looks more than 1 stop overexposed. If she was against pure white background it would work for me but the pole behind the left side of her head and the bright spots on the right side of her head for me are distractions.Hand crop also looks a bit off for me.
Hope that may help.

[Lorey]

Thanks Marko for the helpful comments. As far as the exposure of the background, that wasn't really a bother to me. But as you pointed out the pole and lighter spot could have been avoided. I'm always trying to notice my backgrounds but not always successful in getting them right. Hands are something that I always have a hard time with in shots like this. I'm really not sure what to do with them. Maybe in this case not have a hand in it. Or I could have had her turn around with her back to the corner looking at me over her shoulder. Good points you brought out. All helpful to me. Much thanks!

[Lucky-Luc]

I'm curious, if I may ask did you took that picture in color and process it to black & white, or did you took it in black & white ?

[Lorey]

I'm curious, if I may ask did you took that picture in color and process it to black & white, or did you took it in black & white ?
Thank you for viewing. I always shoot in RAW format and in color. That allows me the greatest range of options for post processing.