[vlad]

Maybe I'll receive more critic with a different subject
       

[NT73]

The first one has a misty/lack of opacity look, but I find myself looking at the two window handles and the crack or cobweb, rather than the model.
I much prefer the second for style and would like the rest of her head.

[vlad]

Thanks, NT!

[alessya]

I agree with NT, the second one is better, but I would like to see more of her face -if you notice there are two hair locks that are falling on each side of her nose and they define it a bit strange; it's important to pay attention to little details like these even if you don't set up everything in an image. It definitely a shot that you should redo, it's a great start, but try posting multiple angles/images for one concept and this way people are more likely to help you decide which one to pick.

[vlad]

I agree with NT, the second one is better, but I would like to see more of her face -if you notice there are two hair locks that are falling on each side of her nose and they define it a bit strange; it's important to pay attention to little details like this even if you don't set up everything in an image. It definitely a shot that you should redo, it's a great start, but try posting multiple angles/images for one concept and this way people are more likely to help you decide which one to pick.

Thank you for the comment.
About concepts, I always believed that I am terrible at defining them, no matter the photography category. I wouldn't know how to define a concept for a portrait. I would apreciate some examples, if you have any.

[alessya]

Examples of good portraits in general? Well, I manage to have a load of those I found online. Here are a few of my favs -I would give credit to the photographers, but I honestly don't remember where I collected them from:

   

[attachment=716]

   

[vlad]

I really like the second one, thanks for the examples. Too bad you didn't keep the artist's name along with their work.

[alessya]

I'm glad you like them. I find them mostly on tumblr or from editorials, that's why I don't have the names of the photographers. On tumblr, for example, you rarely find credits

[BrandyMaeD]

I really like the first. Love the lighting and the soft feel. The second one is great too. You have two very diff feels about them. I like your pics a lot better then the examples posted by another user. I didn't like the shadows or the composition of those. I think you're doing a great job!

[vlad]

Thanks so much, BrandyMaeD!

Here's another one, taken with the Jupiter-9 soviet era 85mm f2 lens and a digital Pentax.
Unfortunately that day I forgot my m42-K mount adapter so I used the lens handheld. Nevertheless, stray light entering the camera body through the mount adds an interesting effect.

[alessya]

Love the light effect so much, great shot and atmosphere! Analog lens on digital have quite an unique feel, wouldn't you agree?

[vlad]

Yes I do agree. I absolutely love it as a portrait lens. I would not let it go for a modern 85mm 1.8.

[Don Schaeffer]

Lovely shoulder!

[alessya]

Neither would I. I'm using an old Zenit 58mm 2.0 and it's lovely for portraits. It sure does give another 'feel' to my images than my pancake lens

[vlad]

And the old Helios (Zenit) 58mm f/2.0 can also be found for about 25$. That makes it a steal.
Itself, the lens is a copy of the Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2.0, stollen by the russians after the war

[Barbara G.]

Update: original post updated to provide "family friendly/family safe" focus within the photography forums. Please private message me if you have any questions.

[photokev]

I really like the second shot overall and love that you let the background blur out. With that said, maybe a tighter crop or if you'd have put her in front of a darker background might have been nice. The light colored door competes with her in the shot.

[vlad]

Thanks for the critique