I spend the last two weeks of November in Mexico every year. I don't shoot a lot of portraits (language is an issue, my Spanish is somewhat limited), this is from the most recent trip:

-- Jeff Spirer (jeff@spirer.com), December 03, 2000

Answers

Hmmmm, S-curves, rule of thirds, full tonal range. Looking at this photo, I'd almost be inclined to believe that you pay attention to that shit. : )

-- Mike Dixon (mike@mikedixonphotography.com), December 04, 2000.

Is she the muralist?

-- Chris Yeager (cyeager@ix.netcom.com), December 04, 2000.

No, she just happened to be in the bar that the mural is in, and I had a waiter that knew her ask her to stand in front of the mural.

-- Jeff Spirer (jeff@spirer.com), December 04, 2000.

This looks like a bemused bystander who has been asked to stand in front of a mural while someone she doesn't know takes a picture. I don't think more of it when I learn that *is* is a bemused bystander who has been asked to stand in front of a mural while someone she doesn't know takes a picture.

Sorry Jeff. Your best stuff captures a mood or an attitude that is a) evocative and b) interesting. This one seems to lack Part B. I can't see any reason for her and the mural to share a frame, and as a portrait of her it's awkward.

-- Struan Gray (struan.gray@sljus.lu.se), December 04, 2000.

Her facial expression reveals surprise and stiffness at the moment of exposure. She looks a bit "caught." She would have rather had a couple more seconds to compose herself, maybe even to fling her rightside locks over her shoulder. She's a very pretty girl which is the essence of this. Because she and the background compete for first subject billing, I don't know how to relate the two if they are to be related. I think the best part of this is the unwasted opportunity to capture her beauty.

-- Tony Rowlett (rowlett@alaska.net), December 05, 2000.