Choosing my final image

 I eventually narrowed my images down to the following three. I have self-critiqued these images, in order to focus on specifics of the images that work and that don't work. This in depth evaluating technique could help me to be selective with images when trying to get published, therefore it is important that I engage with my own images in a constructively critical manner as well as others.

I chose these three images as I feel they hold the strongest compositions and most powerful aesthetic.

This first image is interesting in the way that the movement of the smoke has caught the light, it floats in an angle that is in contrast to the angle of the face, creating an dramatic yet delicate shape. However I feel that the composition would benefit from being a little further out, as the nose seems to just be cropped out at the top. There is also a distracting shape on the left hand side that may be a stray bit of smoke or something in the background.

This image was particularly striking to me when I was shooting, as I instantly noticed the smoke was coming out of both the models mouth and nose. This creates a powerful and dramatic appearance, the masculinity of the smoke from the nostrils contrasting with the glamour of the lipstick. I feel that there is perhaps a little too much space at the bottom of the image, as the chin seems elongated. However, this is my second favourite of the three. 

This third image is my favourite of the three, as it has an old 'Hollywood glamour' feel to it. The softness of the smoke contrasts with the bold lipstick and the dark background, creating dynamic aesthetics, whilst the glamourous effect brings in interesting connotations. The image looks like it could have been a pro-drugs image, making it look appealing. Although I want to avoid the glamourization of drugs, the fact that this in fact is not a drug questions the assumptions we make.

For these reasons, both aesthetic and the connotations, this is my final image for 'portrait of an anarchist'.