Here’s my student, photographer and friend Michelle:

Any portrait photographer wil recognize some or all of these factors:

• I shot this in colour, of course (RAW), and converted to B/W in Lightroom afterward.
• I shot the image horizontally, in landscape orientation – not in the more usual portrait orientation.
• Negative space is good.
• And so is the Rule of Thirds.
• I used a hair light, behind the subject on our right, to get the “shampooiee goodness” look.
• The eyes have catchlights. From my umbrella, on our left.
• I shot some images. The subject liked this one only. I liked three others also. This is very usual – people look at themselves differently.

Go do some portraits. They are fun!