This started as a study in thirds with Ali's eyes placed exactly on the line intersection and a lot of space to the LHS. I tried to get the look of M. M. captured by Eve Arnold. This was my preferred of about a dozen shots. I then realised that the face was strong enough to stand by itself without the element of space.
My next play around was to divide the picture into 6 squares and seemd to have something of interest in each part but the middle LHS cantained all the features of recognition.
The final image, I hope, raises questions of how we present ourselves to the world and how we often hide behind this mask of personality.
I tried colour for the face and BW for the rest of the head but considered this more striking / alarming(?)
My wife hates the image of our daughter-in-law but Ali has given permission for you to apply your eye for an honest critique.
How can it be improved?
Are there other interpretations of the image that may cause confusion and how might I have steered the viewer away from this?
At least Ali is more beautiful than my gardener!
Geoff TWO