OK, so the eyes don't have the best light and there is some noise.
But when you analyze this photo, the lips are the standout feature and maybe the reason for all the "love". One could say the photographer decided to emphasize the lips and de-emphasize the eyes. (I think he's already revealed that is not the case) The composition and DOF in this are also well considered.
Noise: Any chance you increased exposure a bunch in PP?
As the noise is mainly in the darker areas I guess I must have lifted the shadows a bit far. Thanks for the kind words - as I say, I like it, in spite of the imperfections.
Yes it looks great. If you shoot with D-lighting on, I believe it will sometimes underexpose the photo and bring up the brightness. The result is more noise but more shadow and highlight detail. If you weren't using D-lighting then I'm not sure why you'd have so much.
I like everything about this image. But you said you didn't know where the noise came from. I'm wondering if the original was underexposed. That would cause an increase in noise.
A keeper. I shot a series of portraits some years back at 3200. I didn't ck my settings before starting. I was horrified when I put the first photo up on the screen to see that ISO. They all came out great--D700 a clear winner. I have now moved on to a D800 but still shoot the D700 a magnificent camera.
