I feel a lot of tension looking at this image. I can’t tell if the model is seductive or not, her pose isn’t natural.? Her top looks like its been pulled down by someone else and she doesn’t seem too bothered by it. I see one hand disappear behind the curtain and the other appear from behind her back and I wonder, is this intentional? I think the crop adds to the tension too.
How was the background image softened?
You’re right, the pose isn’t natural : I wanted the body to draw a ‘S’ and to echo the curve of the curtain. At the editing I was less sure for the hands : as you mentioned, one looks to pop out from nowhere but the overall result is what was expected and it balances the dark dress and background.
The picture was taken at F/1.8
Personally I think it would look better in black and white or toned – selenium.
There is enough contrast in the shower curtain for mono to work and you
would not be distracted from the girl by the floral pattern on the shower curtain.
Personnally i would monotone it and via layering paint in the red lips.