@JNMourao...thanks for your comment.

The man's face is perfectly exposed--you are suggesting that the face have more light on it and that is the opposite of my intentions here.

@Lange, Beamer, AnnaKath, groen5...thanks very much.

@JNMourao...I don't want you to think that I don't appreciate your compliment--I do. I just want to be clear that silhouetting the man's face was part of my intention here.

This was shot by window light only, by the way.

@mumbler...yes, he's a lucky guy. They are very much in love. My neighbors. Thanks.

@crispin..thank you. I like the idea his bowing his head--now you tell me! Tilt and shift, yes, you got it.

King, I hope its not the preacher's wife. Just imagine if your neighbors happen to be the directors of the four H club. Included in the shot would be Blue ribbons and a prize pig.

What I don't under stand is why you cut off their hands? and flagged the light off his face. It's a style, and I realize this is a portrait in the artistes form. Then again I can't escape thinking about life's hardships we all endure. I guess for me the scares are important an in addition to see the couple make a statement that they are still in love is the one fact to make me say wow.

What I do know is that they might not be married. Her ring is on the wrong hand. That means one of four things. Either they are European, queer, or just brother and sister or just life friends reunited from the past.

If they are married why not set the shot up correctly? Just imagine for the rest of their life anyone that see's this image. The first comment will be. Your wedding ring is on the wrong hand.

The idea of appearing pretty without a sign of life's lessons to is only a camouflage to this thing call life. Believe it or not I do get a feeling about the back of him. Strong, fighter, a rock against the waves. But again. give me his eyes, his facial lines and his hands. And then I can begin to see the man with a story to tell.

King above all people, don't exclude our character.

I enjoy talking to you. your friend.

@wings...thank you very the very good questions, which I will attempt to answer below.

This was shot by window light and, unfortunately, too much light was bouncing off the floor, so the light has a kind of upward slant to it that I didn't intend and to my embarrassment I didn't notice at the time.

The man's face is not flagged...he is simply turned away from the light and burned in a bit.

I like to include hands in my images and hers were very carefully arranged and are included in the 4x5 negative. However, I had to crop the hands in order to eliminate a broad area of the man's over-exposed back that distracted considerably from the woman's face--the most important part of the image. It was a difficult decision, but I think you would agree with me if I were to show you the entire image.

I don't know about the ring. I'll find out later and let you know. It doesn't bother me that she is wearing it on her right hand. It might have been her mother's.

I hope you don't assume that a man of my age and experience would shoot only one version of this. I also shot it in color with more traditional poses and they were in awe of the results.

Although this is not their favorite version, I conceived of this shot as you see it while out on a morning bike ride, including a title, "My Sweet Embraceable You." This was shot for me.

If you want to see the man's face, I'd be happy to e-mail you a few very nice alternatives to this.

King great response. Thanks for answering. It is a great image. and I feel as photographers this has been one of the better talks between two people. It has some technical questions as in choice and as in working from thinks that make life interesting. Cheers friend.

I like that his face is in shadows for one particular reason .. her face is so filled with emotion that his would could never compete and would detract/distract from the story .. he is her world and that is what I see .. only my point of view of course.

Congrats King.
This is gorgeous.

Thanks very much, Ana.

a wonder , chapeau !

@Karmen...thank you!

I'll add:
I like that this is a photograph of her..and what she holds dear. It's really not a portrait of him at all, but of her and her life.
Love it.

@Ana...you are absolutely correct. Thanks for that.