shopping cart rally
by Arachnophilia

Comment by myqyl:
Critique Club Comment

Composition : There is one strong line here that seems to be nicely placed.

Exposure/Lighting : Large portions of the top are completely lost in black while sections of the middle are burned to pure white. As I can't really tell where this was (the title suggests a store) I can't be sure if this could have been avoided.

Focus : Focus didn't seem to be an objective of this image. The blur of whatever is in the middle (shopping cart) seems to indicate motion from the lower left to the upper right, but not so I can be certain of it. I really wish you had included Shutter / Aperture / ISO as that could have helped me figure out what you were going for.

Emotion/Challenge : The feeling of motion is certainly present. I just would have been happier if I could detect direction, and maybe even what was moving.

Opinion : This is one of those shots that I sit and scratch my head over and am not surprised to see in a museum later. This could very well be high art, but if so, it's over my head.

the flowers of naiveté (buried in a layer of frost)
by Arachnophilia

Comment by Mousie:
I realy like this photo, the only nit I can pick is the slight purple fringey effect on the upper left edges of the petals, you may have done it intentionally, but it reminds me of chromatic aberrarion. I would have tried pushing it all into reds/oranges. Right now it looks kinda low tech, and purer reds might help legitamize the deliberate blow-out and softness... I am always surprised when people can't just let vagueness and softness please the eye as it is.

shopping cart rally
by Arachnophilia

Comment by blick:
this is a nice abstraction and i like the muted colors it gives a feeling of slow motion

shopping cart rally
by Arachnophilia

Comment by Turbotech:
Hmmm
1)Does the photo fit the theme of the challenge? I can not tell. (3)
2)Color: I have nothing here to focus on so I have to grade low. (2)
3)Composition: What is the Focal point here. Your title suggest shopping carts.
Am I missing something? (2)
4)Focus: Since there is no real focal point, (if you consider the thing in the middle
a focal point then so be it.) I can not give a good score. (3)
5)Background: I assume it is a retail store of some sorts. Can not grade this very
Well. (2)
6)Lighting: This light is just way too harsh here. But since the focal point barely
exists, does it matter. (2)

I hate to be overly critical but you did not give me much to work with. I am sorry about this, but if I did not use my critique guidline I would have given this a 1.

Score overall is 2
John (TurboTech)

morpheus opiatum
by Arachnophilia

Comment by crabappl3:
~~~~Critique Club Comment~~~~
Morpheus Opiatum

Composition (Content)
I like how the right most flower points to the center of the image. I feel it gives the eye a direction to look at. That being said, it's pointing to open space. I know there are limitations to the camera you use, but NeatImage could help cleanup the noise in the sky and create a smooth gradient. The cluster of flowers are interesting with the many directions of the leaves.

Background
The noise is my biggest concern with the background. I also feel that doing some work with your color balance/contrast and intesity, the leaves in the front wouldn't be 'so in your face'.

Camera Work (Technical)
Limitations of the camera prevent you from being able to apply filters or do much in the way of shutter speed and F/stop so within the limits of the camera this is a ok shot.

Digital Processing (Technical)
Sharpening is fair (Not sure you sharpened this photo).
Balance between light and dark is fair. (Leaves are a tad washed out or lack enough contrast to show the individual direction of each leaf)
Compression is fair(Within the limits of the camera)

My opinion
Honestly, I had to just sit and look at this one for a while. I finally had someone else look at it and she said that it would be great as a Christmas card. I then took off my critique hat and put on my artists hat and see the potential for a photo like this. I feel that as you learn to use post processing tools a little more, you'll be able to have some images that go higher in the ratings. This one has potential.

the flowers of naiveté (buried in a layer of frost)
by Arachnophilia

Comment by a1leyez0nm3:
I think that the shot is pretty creative... nice way you did the background.. but, in my opinion, maybe try cropping it a bit so that the flowers fill more of the screen? just a thought though.. but im surprised at the score it recieved.. i think it should have been higher

Message edited by author 2002-12-09 19:58:11.