Selective colouring in a B&W portrait - C&C please

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6134/...66202918_b.jpg

shot this a while ago and decided to run it through some new software (Silver Efex inside of Lightroom 3.41) - I was intrigued with being able to have only the background coloured.

I think the main thing that strikes me with this result is that the colour, which now highlights the background, is highlighting the most un-interesting feature in the whole photo.
I remember seeing this photo before here at ph.ca right? It's a good photo.

I think have just the background coloured could work for example as part of a website banner strip, but I think I'm in agreement with MA.

both ma and richard are right. i think the color is too strong and the subject a bit soft.

Cheers MA, Richard and ed - I appreciate the feedback.

MA- this is from a series done with the 75" umbrella, I not sure that this exact one was posted (most in this series have only slight differences in pose/position).

Quote:

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I think the main thing that strikes me with this result is that the colour, which now highlights the background, is highlighting the most un-interesting feature in the whole photo.

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+1 verbatim

I do like this portrait as well ed (and I'll critique it as a portrait) and I find that if I look closely it seems as though you are staring into space rather than connecting with someone or thinking something specific. I think as a portrait a better connection (either real or forced) always strengthens the image. All that said, self-portraiture is hard stuff I must say that I'm really enjoying your self portrait tests and explorations and i hope to see more.