Critique Background Separation

[novice2novicephotography]

Does the image need more background separation

 

[juggler]

Does the image need more background separation

Not really, there are other things I'd attend to first but I'd prefer to see a less processed image before making a judgement.

 

[novice2novicephotography]

@juggler the only processing done is lighting on the face, this is as shot other than that

 

[VirtualAdept]

@juggler the only processing done is lighting on the face, this is as shot other than that

In that case, I think you've overcooked the processing on her face.
I really rather like the way the light falls off her, with the exception of the hotspot on her face and forehead.

 

[juggler]

@juggler the only processing done is lighting on the face, this is as shot other than that

It _looks_ as if there's some kind of diffusion or halation effect added to the highlights, and it _looks_ as if you've painted on the background to get it to go dark but slightly overlapped the model. But if there's no other processing they must be an artefacts of however you've set the contrast and exposure during raw conversion.