PPSOP September Contest - Faces

In a continued effort to keep my photographic chops in high gear, I've decided I need to start entering the Picture Perfect School of Photography monthly contest. Prizes are pretty nice, although I suspect I have a ways to go before I come close to landing one, and the competition is open to anyone. Entry is free - always a plus. The September theme is "faces," so the question becomes: what to enter? Only one entry per month, so I need to choose wisely. A quick trip through the archives turns up a few possibilities.


Naturally, our little ladybug has given us quite a few great poses, and here are two of my favorites:





I'll have a hard time not picking one of these two. That face is precious - but does it tell enough of a story in those shots? Does it need to?

Another possibility would be one that tells a bit more of a story - how about a bride on her wedding day?



But that photo does have a few technical issues, notably some very blown highlights.

So how about this one - it definitely tells a story and presents a persona (and was a lot of fun to create - try and guess the light source!):



But it also has the ability of making most people who see it a bit uncomfortable. While I think it has great and unique photographic qualities, I probably don't want to make the judges uncomfortable.

Another thought - who says it has to be a human face? A quick trip through my zoo shots turns up this one:



Love those eyes and that expression of determination. But on the other hand, maybe something a bit more whimsical is in order?



Hmm - if I'm considering a picture of a cat, though, why not this guy?



Unfortunately, pictures must have been taken within the last two years, so that little guy is out. Just as well - I don't need him getting any bigger of an ego than he already has.

I have a bit of a decision ahead of me (suggestions and critiques appreciated!) - as well as some re-editing. Turns out that while most of the standard things (color correction, sharpening, minor cloning, burning, dodging) are acceptable, cropping (!) isn't. Time to go back to photoshop . . .