IMG_9897-copy-2.jpg
by Mr_Pants

Comment:
I love this, but the zoom blur effect (assuming is was a filter rather than done manually) is slightly weird, with more distinct 'lines' of blur than I'd expect.

Mother and Child
by Mr_Pants

Comment:
I love how the texture is very repetitive and simple, so the shallow dof gives a very smooth gradient as it goes oof. The vertical lines work well juxtaposed with the smooth curves of the sculpture. Sensitively lit, though I might like to see it with slightly less strong lighter, so the right-hand side is slightly darker.

Dead End to Championship Hopes
by Mr_Pants

Comment:
Doesn't say anything to me personally, but technically its very nice. Love the bright colours in the rain, and the vignetting. The longer format works well with the composition.

Looks like it maybe didn't evoke a response in many people, 'specially with the challenge. Not sure what it means, but thats one symmetrical vote distribution!

Bored With Waiting For That New Enclosure
by Mr_Pants

Comment:
The grain doesn't help, but the expression was worth it! Completely sums up bored & grumpy. I don't get much from the composition, I'd like to see more space above and less below, but maybe that wasn't possible (trying to remember the old enclosure at Marwell)

Actually, the more I look at it the more I like the grain...I've been looking at your other (cleaner) cat shots too much lol. It kind of suits the subject but is rather unconventional for such a shot. Hmmm, not sure about that, but looks like you had no choice given the light.

IMG_3295.jpg
by Mr_Pants

Comment:
Maybe the streets are actually like that but the wide angle & perspective makes them look really empty and lifeless, like the two people are visiting an abandoned town.

Nice perspective, any significance of the place?

Karma's Feline Friend
by Mr_Pants

Comment:
I love the burning you've done on this to bring out the tiger - it makes it more dynamic, gives a sense of purpose to the tiger's position. Wonderfully sharp focus - I'm assuming you used a tripod to get 1/60s at the long end (I presume) of your zoom.
I'd like to see a slightly less burned version, just to make the effect subtler; I can see some people thinking this is a little over the top.

Colours are great, composition works well even though its vertically central. Love the gaze of the tiger.

btw, you've a nice collection of big cat shots :)

can u tie my shoelace?
by Jumana

Comment:
*critique club*

Composition
The eye is led to the corner, through the laces, which I think works well compositionally, but this has also caused the out of focus blown highlights in the laces.

Technical stuff (exposure, dof, lighting etcâ€Â¦)
Could do with a greater depth of field; the lack of focus in the shoelaces is distracting. The doll's face has been lit very well, but the foreground is overexposed - maybe flash or just being in higher sunlight. Average exposure seems ok.

Post-processing
n/a

Message/atmosphere portrayed
Personally, I don't 'get it'...doesn't really say anything to me. Just seems a bit random.

Meeting the challenge
Meets the challenge fine, but could be more creative (check out scalvert's profile for inspiration to take the challenge titles further).

My personal opinion
I do feel it was slightly underrated, but like I said, I personally don't 'get it' so wouldn't rate it that high either. Please tell me if I'm missing something. Maybe people just couldn't make a connection with it emotionally. The top half looks very good, but the OOF foreground immediately brings the scores down. There's definitely potential, please don't be put off and keep submitting. Oh, and maybe I'm pedantic/overly critical but the informalness of the title makes it look like less thought's gone into the photo.

Hope you find this helpful, feel free to PM me if you have any questions

Kirsty :)

PS Just for the record, although ISO is technically a characteristic of film, your photos will have an "ISO rating" which is what is meant in the image details. Its the digital equivalent of film sensitivity - high ISO doesn't need such long shutter speeds, but grain is increased and vice versa.
If you ever want to find out values for shutter speed, aperture, ISO etc retrospectively (for one thing it helps us critiquers), check out the FAQ here. I personally use Picture Information Extractor, free for 30 uses I think.

I miss you too Mum.
by ian_weaver

Comment:
this is really emotive...i only wish she were holding an urn with ashes...i thought she was in the thumbnail, and it would be more emotive imho

Classico
by idnic

Comment:
didnt vote this one, but this should have done way better

No Messin' Around
by trnqlty

Comment:
i love this one, great tight crop