I've always like these type of crystal ball shots.

Lovely. How did you get that dusky brown colour cast to the shot?

Hehe. Nice. Did you add some blur to the hands or is this a straight shot?

Well, do you have all five (or maybe seven?) photo already taken?

Always original and different. So far, this is my favorite of the last portraits that you've showed here. But what I like most is the fact that in the thumbnail image of your comment box, the image is more apealing. I believe it's because of the resizing that made the ball more sharp. Fantastic!

Jamey: by not correcting the white balance, partially desaturating with the Channel Mixer, and adding a Curve to boost the red and green midtones.

mat: it's a straight shot. The focal point for her face is at a different point to the ball itself.

ps: nope, when I decided to do portraits this week I didn't have any of them taken. Yesterday's was taken yesterday, today's today, and so on.

Ooooh very clever! I've not seen a shot like this before, brilliant.

Very interesting portrait. The color cast works well with her darker skin and color of the clothes. The neutral expression on her face also fits right in.

Superb. I need to get myself one of those crystal balls. Perhaps it will tell me when I will be able to take shots like this? :)

I particularly like the way the ball seems to light up the tip of her thumb.

i see, and is there any order? by name? by age?

Nice composition.

ps: no, there's no particular order: whichever I can get to stay still long enough ;-)

This is great! You have such a creative eye!

The focus is brilliant - such a cool shot.

Best one of the week (I'd say "by far" but the others we nice as well). Great tones and, of course, the perspective.
You're taking these shots each day as you go? Thats far more disciplined I am. Concrete & Coffee would be an empty blog if I didn't have a huge backlog to work off of!

Beautiful portrait, clever idea as well. The focus inside the ball is great. Nice color work as well.

Bam! Chromasia at its best. Keep challenging yourself David, the results are fantastic!

Gorgeous shot and such a cool idea. I love it!

Yes, very imaginative. This is a very interesting shot that I rather like.

The ball is back! You used the same gadget two or three times some time ago. If I remember correctly you had a pinkish photograph/portrait, think it is your same daughter... I kind of like that one better.

nice one

Another great portrait.
Of the three posted so far I prefer #2, the sharpness (DOF) of the blanket contrasted with the blurred face really adds a three-dimensional feel, it is as if you could stick your head into the frame.
I love the sharpness of the crystal ball in todays shot, I notice you used two flashes to take the shot, I'd be interested to know how you arranged the flashes, were you bouncing them off the ceiling or directly at the subject?
Keep up the fantastic shots!

You answered my question in your response at 11:50 PM, which was what happens if they dont all decide they want to play the game this week...

Cool effect with the shot, not typical Chromasia, but then I'm not sure there is a typical here.

And thanks for continually sharing your tips in Photoshop. Always gets me thinking more.

Very nice also, good catch in the crystal ball.

Looks really excellent. The focusing in the ball is excellent.

Very cool portrait!!

Best shot of the series so far Dave and it's unmistakingly CHROMASIA. I like the toning as well. very good stuff.

Did you use the STE2 ??

Very clever, works well. Trouble is I'm standing on my head (already broken one monitor - turning it upside down) trying to see your lovely elder daughter! ;-)

such a great idea to take photo of :) love it

Great portrait, my favourite this week up to now. Nice use of the ball. Looking forward to the last couple :)

Creative. Maybe a little down and blurred eyes would be visible, too. Or maybe this is the best angle? - cheers

For me it's the best portrait you have shown this week... macro techniques used to get an uncommon portrait. The color work is also very good and adds to the shot value... Dof is just the right one!

ojorojo: this is the shot you're thinking of.

Ed: the 580EX was on the camera, bounced of the ceiling, and the 480 was on a tripod bounced off the floor.

Jennifer: lol :-)

i really like this, and the one ojorojo was thinking of. very effective.

where did you get the ball from?

This shot, I adore like few other portraits on Chromasia.

turkish: I got it on eBay. I think it was around £25.00.

Very nice idea, just perfectly executed. I like the desaturated colors.

I love it!

In one expressive word....WOW!

I absolutely love this picture. Can you come to Milan and take the same portrait of me? I only need to grow my nails...

This has a serene other worldliness. What does the future hold..... reflective contained moment. Nice one.

Absolutely fantastic! I love the shallow depth of field and the gentle limited color scheme.

it made me smile :)

Nice shot, obviously comes across as a little dark and spooky ("look into my crystal ball" sort of thing)

Great DOF, and brilliant colours :)

Beautifull picture. Very interesting idea to work on..

awesome reflection...and so sharp!

Thanks everyone :-)

Wonderful, David! Very inventive. I need one of those crystal balls...

beautifullllll... what a perspective. thanks for portrait week! they're some of your best work.

i absolutely LOVE it.
there were a couple of similar shots in chromasia in the earlier days. those were awesome as well (especially the one in your portfolio). how has the ball been balanced though? it seems to be in mid-air (the one in the portfolio). is it a photoshop trick?

great idea and execution

quite reminiscent of mc escher. i love it; very well done!

WOW! Great work. This is a very interesting look at a portrait. I like the soft and muted colors here. Brilliant! Regards, Brent

lovely... rteally nice !!
am actually short of words seeing the recent portraits !!

I'd have prefered to see more of milly and less of milly through the sphere.

interesting shot !!