Tia Maria by Paul Mongillo

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Paul, I actually like the image and don't necessarily agree with some of the comments you got before--at least not totally. It is, in fact, the environment that makes the image more interesting to an "outsider". It has a nice intimate sense and one gets a nice sense of how this woman lives and what is important to her.

In general, I do think the image has a nice balance of light but I do think that the woman is just a tad dark. It isn't a fatal flaw by any means and I wouldn't suggest a huge move, just enough to give a bit more presence. I actually love the composition and the tones/atmosphere you have generated throughout otherwise and only offer this suggestion based on your comments above. Personally, I probably do brighten up my people, even in these sort of environmental portraits, in most cases. It isn't a matter of making it obvious or having the person jump out, just allowing a bit more of a presence.

Nice image.

Putting it simply, I love 90% of this. It's beautiful black and white, with crisp tones and excellent detail. Outstanding depth of field, too. I love her hands and I like it that she's not looking directly into the lens. I wish the image were larger, the better to see hand detail.

Two things, though. I don't like the black and white border. At all. Or at least not such a wide white border. Compared to the tones in the image itself, the white just sort of assaults my eyes with it's brightness. If a border is needed, the black would have done nicely by itself.

The other thing I don't care for takes me into that "If I had shot this" area of photo critique. It isn't an area I like to get into, but I will, anyway. I want to see all of Tia Maria, rather than having her legs cut off. I want to see the chair legs, and I want to see what kind of shoes she's wearing. I would have pulled back to include all of her in the shot.

I still like it, though. I just think it could have been better than it is as far as overall composition goes.

Hi,
IMO the woman´s left eye is very much underexposed, horizon is not leveled and the overall look and feel of the black and white conversion is not my cup of tea. The value of the image relies on its capacity to document but it has not much aesthetic value, at least not now.

As I look at this shot, I don't completely agree with some of the remarks. Lighting, perhaps could have been improved, but what I see is the over-all ambience of the room. I'm drawn first to the religious wall icon, then to a subject whose wrinkles, and stare speak volumes to her faith, wisdom, and simplicity. Then I was drawn to the back room, which I imagined was a kitchen where this woman has probably prepared thousands of meals for family and loved ones. The crispness, field of view, and the choice of black & white is excellent. Mattes and/or borders, or frames is generally the last thing I look at! I like the capture! Best regards for the New Year!

I can see and appreciate the technical details that have been previously noted, but for me Mickey has nailed it. This is all about feeling and emotion... A photograph that can be enjoyed by family and understood by others... Mike

I'd be very interested in knowing what Paul said to this lady before taking the image. Did you set the emotional tone? She is not smiling (at least on the outside).

Hi Paul, It is hard for me to wrap my head around some of the critiques. It is easy for my eye to wander around this frame and connect the woman to the environment. She is clearly the anchor for the photo. The tones and details are pleasing. I like it.

I like it. It has an intimate feeling to it. I agree that she could be lightened up, and less sharpened than she is, and the kitchen area brought down some, but lighting in homes is not perfect and that lends a sense of genuine place, a real person in a real home. Showing the doorway through to the kitchen area adds a sense of depth to the scene. The overall composition is very balanced. The picture has a lot of visual appeal and with a few post processing moves, would sit proudly in any portrait or artistic portfolio. Nice work, Paul!