Good framing and composition. For my taste a bit too blurry. I would love to see this one really sharp and maybe with some more contrasting b&w.

I think the softness works in this image. Give it a dreamy feel.

I really like the soft focus and close crop, which seems to capture a very comfortable, loving relationship. Nice portrait.

Tomasz: when I first started processing this one I didn't intend to leave it quite as soft as this, in terms of either contrast or sharpness, but ended up quite liking the somewhat dreamy feel – it seemed to suit their expressions better.

The post processing really makes this pleasing to view. The guy on the right looks rather pained.

I think this really works well, I don't know if they are a couple but the softness and overall feel of this image makes me believe they are.

mooch: "she" will be especially pained that you can't tell the difference between men and women ;-)

I generally like the blurry effect in your portraits but in this case, I think you over did it. The other thing that would have made this a better pic is sense of place. To see these people in the context of a Gay Pride parade. Otherwise, it feels like a family shot.

You make a wonderful point about the willingness of people to be photographed at these types of events. One that should be kept in mind as a great opportunity for practice. This is a fantastic example of those opportunities. Wonderful work!

ojorojo: I'm not sure why you think it would have made the photograph better if I'd contextualised them. Sure, it would have been different, but I'm not sure why it would have been better.

David this is a great series. We have a pretty famous gay pride parade in our neighborhood here every late summer.

I find the 'softness' others comment about exactly right for this image. If the images was tack sharp everywhere the concept would have lost its feeling.

Having seen yesterday's picture and knowing how unhibited these events are I thought you could have taken more advantage of the situation. We have seen many good portraits like this on your site but it could well have been shot indoors. I am not talking about a wide angle shot but a close up with a sense of place. maybe better implies judgement. I meant different for the sake of variety. Regards from "darkest" Peru!

Ojorojo - Sorry, but for me that's the whole point. It wasn't posed, lit and shot indoors; but a relaxed natural shot, taken at an open air concert, in poor weather 'as it happened'.

This is simply - Beautiful!

so beautiful!
gorgeous b&w!

Beautiful expression on their faces. Her eyes have a fantastic glow and radiance.

ojorojo: yep, I can see your point, but a muddy damp carpark doesn't make the best backdrop ;-)

I like the softness alot. Typically though, you'll leave the eyes sharper in a portrait like this. It doesn't appear that you did that here.

Nice

nice shot. love the softness! beautiful portrait

Jay: normally I would have sharpened the eyes a little, but the original, shot at 200mm, was a bit too soft. It looks better this way, at least in my opinion.

The lass on the right has nice teeth :-)

Good shot, looks good for the softness, I partiicularly like the pinspot light to the pupils, good work Dave.

two faces, like two sculptures. great shot.

Libby: My point is that even though I know what you say is true, it is not clear from the picture. I have to read the text to know that the picture was shot outdoors, unlit and not posed. I do not dislike the picture.
Dave: From what you wrote I thought you shot it during a colorful parade. I look forward to see tomorrow's photograph.

This is a good, if senitimental, shot. The softness is great.

ojorojo: apologies, I should have explained this better. The day did start off with a parade, but all the shots I'll be putting up were taken at after the parade, in a carpark set aside for the rest of the day's events.

Oops, looked like a young boy...

Re. your response to mooch: to my shame, my second reaction was, "What? The person on the left is male?" To my greater shame, my first reaction was, "What are this [girl/boy] couple doing at a gay pride march?" And to compound matters, in between, I was thinking that the girl [on the left] looks just a leeetle bit like K.D. Lang... Sigh; talk about stereotyping!

The more I look at this, the more I like it. But though the girl on the right is staring right at us, and the directness is almost disturbing given her slightly-pained expression, the girl on the left seems to have her head in the clouds! For me, the softness really works, as does the colour cast. I wonder whether you were horizontal, or whether you tilted the camera to bring their eyes (almost) into line? (Actually, it's the centres of their noses that are lined up!) Either way, it's a lovely composition.

That's a really good point about this type of event and the willingness of people to be photographed. Perhaps this is an easier route in for those of us who are a little cautious of "people" pictures. I love the composition and processing of this picture.

postprocess work very well done!

Hello,

Thank you for your wonderfull pictures. I'm very impressed by the quality of the light and the colours.

I have myself a blog. Even if it doesn't have so much in common with your work, I would be very pleased to add you to my favourites. Then, others would also have the possibility to admire your pictures.

Waiting for your answer,
Best,

Stéphanie.
http://stephaniejean.canalblog.com/

I love this picture, however i am slightly bias as it is me and my girlfriend (yep SHE isnt a boy).

Hi Vicky, I'm glad you like it :-)

Thanks everyone :-)

What an amazing texture. Lovely pic.

The soft focus works well in this shot and the synchronised faces are quite cool

Very nice expressions. The eyes of this girls are beautiful. They look to the camera in a very profound and nice way. I like the composition too. And the rythim given by the position between the two faces is exellent ,givin to the image a sense of armony. This one talks a lot about you and the way you get in touch with people. Really nice and great photo.