"Break the Blue" - Dime Store Prophets
by brandonarbini

Comment by jmsetzler:
Greetings from the Critique Club :)

Brandon,

I think this is a great shot. I'm not familiar with the song, but I think the image fits the title quite well :) I really like the shallow depth of field presented here. I'm a sucker for strong contrasts. The tonal range of this image is also very impressive. It's one of those images that I would like to reach out and touch. The sharpness of the broken glass shards are part of what makes this a high impact image for me. I can't really make any suggestions for improvement for you on this image, and I'm not sure why it did not score higher than it did. I haven't read your comments on this image yet, but I will go do that. The only thing I can imagine that would have cost points on this photo is the shallow depth of field. That single aspect is what makes this photo so strong in my opinion. Some people like to see everyting in focus, whether it makes a stronger image or not.

Keep up the great work :)

John Setzler

** After reviewing your comments on this image, I definitely have NO idea why it didn't score better. There is no indication of why it wasn't better received... your comments seem to support this image... go figger....


Message edited by author 2003-01-19 02:00:31.

J O S H
by brandonarbini

Comment by Gordon:
You requested a critique: A good, clean, well lit black and white picture of a ornament/scuplture. THe background is nicely dark and the off-center framing works well, with the lion's head being tilted to 'face' into the space.

The tonal contrast on the lion is quite flat and I think could have been enhanced by less even lighting to bring out the texture and three dimensional nature of the object more strongly.

The border enhances the picture and sets it off well. I think you really scored badly because this is more of a 'still life' than a portrait and people voted accordingly.

"Break the Blue" - Dime Store Prophets
by brandonarbini

Comment by Tarbini:
Love the shade of blue. Cropped and bordered nicely. Also I like the DOF. Did you plan to have the cross on the left side of the image? Divine intervention? *10*
Tarbini

"Break the Blue" - Dime Store Prophets
by brandonarbini

Comment by Jacko:
I like your selection of cropping (much wider than tall). Neat depth of field. Jacko.

Another Year Gone By
by brandonarbini

Comment by shedonist:
I love the perspective here. Very unique angle! 9

"Break the Blue" - Dime Store Prophets
by brandonarbini

Comment by HBunch:
Blue glass? Looks really cool. I like the very sharp looking, crips focus edge on the middle piece. The angle and framing/cropping is great. I really like the border as well. I think it looks great with the shot. I've never heard the song, but the shot and title definately go well together, so mission accomplished. Very nice lighting as well. Good luck in the challenge.

Another Year Gone By
by brandonarbini

Comment by SharQ:
Lovely DOF! good idea as well. Not very specific to newyears, but still a festive mood. Good work.

"Break the Blue" - Dime Store Prophets
by brandonarbini

Comment by floyd:
Atmospheric and great tone. Like it a lot. 9 - floyd

J O S H
by brandonarbini

Comment by smellyfish1002:
Great lighting and detail. All techical aspects of the photo are perfect! I started off giving this a low score because I don't feel it meets the challenge of a portrait (by Webster's dictionary). But... it's well done so I'm giving it a 6 instead of a 4. Good luck!

JD Anderson

J O S H
by brandonarbini

Comment by LindaLee:
I don't really consider a photo of an inanimate object to be a portrait, however,
that aside; I like that you photographed it against negative space. I like the basic composition, but would have preferred to see a tighter crop horizontally, probably cropping right below the lower "point" of the mane, or alternatively, a vertical shot showing the entire body. The lighting is good, and it is a nice clear photo.