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Critiques
I'm skeptical when it comes to equalling high fave and view numbers with quality, but quality doesn't hurt - certainly not in this picture. The picture has a well-chosen, dramatic lighting, the blue in the veil seems to balance the skintone perfectly and there's a good composition, consisting of repeated diagonals. The model has the kind of beauty that doesn't consist of boring flawlessness, but of individuality and personality.
However, apart from the last factor, these are all technical things that will bring few people to push a fave-button. So, what's the magic?
Firstly, there a lot of real and suggested romance in the beautiful Indian, feminine outfit of the model, that fits with her appearance. A setting is created. The sparse light isn't full studio lighting, it suggests a dark room in a palace or in a shady alley in Jaipur, Delhi, who knows where.
Secondly, the picture might well give the impression that the viewpoint is very close to the model. We are not simply watching, this is a mysterious tête-à-tête, we're part of whatever is happening. A technically-minded photographer might complain about distortion here... and miss the point completely.
Thirdly, and most important, the picture has suspense and tension. The expression of the model and her body language, her proximity are about danger, urgency, maybe a message or a secret that has to be passed on. There's a sense of suspicion too.
Even if a viewer doesn't pick up these clues consciously, some of them or all of them will work their magic anyway. We're sucked into adventure here - a hard act to follow.
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