Comment from Sange
Well hello Paula! Hmmm.. I do not see stress. What I see is the end of the day Thankfulness, the end of the day hopefulness, the end of the day
Can't wait to fall into you're pillow of Grace. And hope tomorrow you can reach another and give them the "tools" needed to heal their minds to rid their souls of the demons that
Imprison them. I see relief.. A tad bit of worry, but no stress. And the workout afterwards brings you back to being you... Simply Pretty Paula.
It is hard for us photographers to be on the receiving end of the camera. But the black and white.. Sets the mood for your end of the day, the lighting is perfect like you are coming out of the dark. Well done..

 Comment Written 24-Jun-2012

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reply by the author on 24-Jun-2012

Really you are so sweet--the hopefulness is for a hug at the end of the day. After 'holding' everyone all day, one needs a little holding too. The gym also helps!! It's hard to see myself as I am now. I was used to thinking of myself as looking like in my driver's license photo--40 years old, but now 20 more have gone by. I love my work, and the real antidote is photography!! Thanks for listening. Paula

reply by Sange on 24-Jun-2012

Hey.. hey.. Paula...I can tell you love your work.. but it can be mentally draining. Aging for me means framing out my life between before and after. You need only stand in your truth and be the you God intended you to be. Think of yourself as a lighthouse to all those you help.. you are there safe place.

Comment from jennyindy
I love the honesty of your entry here....no candy coated happy face..but genuine expression of stress, yes, but maybe also acceptance and gratitude(or maybe I'm way off base..it just seems like there is a lot of natural grace in your face as well)
Despite a hard day you still have a look that says if someone needed you, you'd be there for them.
I'm glad you give yourself time to clear the cobwebs by going to gym..goood for you!
Excellent entry,
Jenny

 Comment Written 18-Jun-2012

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reply by the author on 20-Jun-2012

No, you are totally on the mark. Acceptance, gratitude, resignation, defiance, love, anger, frustration, persistence, commitment--it's all there in my face by the end of the day. You are good! Most people didn't see it. Thanks Jenny.

Comment from widdlebeckcollection
Hello, Laughter lines is what i see! May i say you dont look stressed at all! I see a happy face, that is very well focused too! A contest winner if i have ever seen one. Nice fresh face with lovely smileing eyes too. Thankyou, Gary

 Comment Written 16-Jun-2012

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reply by the author on 16-Jun-2012

Gary You are very kind. I had to take dozens of shots to get one in focus. Running back to get in place for the shot was stressful in itself. Thanks for being sweet!!

Comment from goldie-lopez
I really like this image in black in white. I feel black and white really brigs out expression and it has a classic feel to it.

The only thing is and this is only my opinion... Around your eyes and hair line, especially the left side, it's to dark to me.

I do like the picture and author notes as well.

Good Job,
Goldie

 Comment Written 16-Jun-2012

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reply by the author on 20-Jun-2012

Thanks Goldie for your honest review. I like that kind the most. It was about the part of me that's seen and the part that's not, but I didn't explain that. Paula

Comment from terry1938
A fine and dramatic photograph, well composed and posed. I like the way you have posed on the RHS of the frame. Excellent use of B&W, and the skin detail is superb to the point where you could said to be oozing stress. Very good camera work, and very well done. Very original.

 Comment Written 15-Jun-2012

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reply by the author on 16-Jun-2012

Thanks Terry. I took dozens of shots until I got one that was in focus and I wasn't sweating from running back and forth!!

Comment from marieann green
Great entry for the contest and we all feel this way at times. Stunning light and shadows. Very nicely done and a pleasure to review

 Comment Written 15-Jun-2012

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reply by the author on 22-Jun-2012

Thank you Marieann. I am glad you got it and saw the stress in my face. Not everyone could see it. I appreciate the review. Paula

Comment from netdweller
This is a great entry - love the Black and White with that lighting and shadows, gives a very classic portrait - looks perfect with the darker background - and you have a great smile - Good luck to you ..

 Comment Written 15-Jun-2012

Comment from KB Photo's
Great photo. Great detail. Great caption. Great framing. I like the black and white. Great work keep up the good work.

 Comment Written 15-Jun-2012

Comment from outsideMAN
Its a fine portrait that accentuates the negative! If you have the time and energy for the gym things cannot be that bad, but I do recognise the "had a tough day look". Your photo has a subtle composition, focus is very good and the exposure is on the money. All told this is a very good image, well done!

 Comment Written 15-Jun-2012

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reply by the author on 15-Jun-2012

Thank you for the excellent review. It's very much appreciated!!

Comment from obriankl
the detail is good. the lighting is good. the dof is good. the background is good. i like the black and white feel to this

 Comment Written 14-Jun-2012

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reply by the author on 15-Jun-2012

Thanks for the review.