Sharp or Soft

[lumicks]

Been wondering WHEN photos / portraits have to be sharp or have a "soft effect".

A photo of my daughter dancing on the street while waiting for their school bus. Taken last Chinese New Year.
C&C welcomed

[Shadowman]

Both, the hair looks sharp, the rest of the image looks soft.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Justin,

Traditionally, if you can see an eye or two (and many might say you should be able to), then the nearest eye to the camera should be sharp.

However, we cannot see her face, so let's judge by some other criteria.

If I shut my eyes, then open them and mentally note the things I see first;
bright arm on right
bright neck
your signature text
the pattern of partings in her hair and the similarity to the mortar lines between the stones in the wall behind (entirely coincidental)

I think we ought to be able to see either:
her pose; i.e. a wider angle composition,
or her face,
or what she is looking at (probably nothing significant since you mention she is dancing)

Please don't take the above as criticism - it is intended as more of a discussion - although I feel guilty I haven't really addressed your precise question.

Cheers,

[lumicks]

Thanks Dave for the comment. I double posted this thread and I could not remove the other one. Both got replies. Would you be able to incorporate the two? Manfred had an interesting reply regarding my question-- when is a portrait be sharp or soft.