Mariachi Rythm
by JEM

Comment:
Great eye, wonderful capture... Dave

Spiraling
by mcmurma

Comment:
Nice image. Wonderful use of reflection and color...

"hey!, my cousin the Redwood is taller than you, guys!"
by Pep Ventosa

Comment:
Congrats on the ribbon!!! Dave

Round
by albright1

Comment:
Tough shot to shoot. You did an incredible job... Dave

Two Classics
by Jacko

Comment:
Incredible image. One of the two 10's I have ever given here. How anyone could rate this a 2 or a 3 obviously doesn't have a clue what cliche means. LOL. Every week we are guaranteed 3 or 4 chess board shots here and water drop shots are a dime a dozen. Great image. You are one of my favorites here, that's for sure... Dave

Crossing
by timj351

Comment:
Who ever gave this image a 1,2 or 3 should be revoked from photography. They should never grab a camera, because if they think this is bad they will never take a good image, ever!!!! This is a stunning example of landscape imagery taken by (IMO) the best photographer on this site.

Congrats Tim. I still think the should be first place....

Dave

For an instant Smokey the Bear, cook at 450F :o)
by kosmikkreeper

Comment:
Yanik, greetings from the Critic Club!!! Hey, nice image. Made me laugh, so on that you got a 5 from me to start with. I see a couple things that can be improved a little on. The first is that the image needs to be straightened. It is running a little up hill. With so many horizontal elements perspective is real important to keep the viewer balanced. It is the first thing I check in all my images. Another thing I notice is that the image is a little harsh looking. I think it is generated by the burning high lights. Shooting shots like this are hard because you aren't in a controled environment. I am sure the harsh affects in the oven are generated by windows behind you. Maybe next time get a big dark blanket and hang it up behind you to block external light. I have done that many a time. The mid tones (middle grey tones) are not really represented here and also lend to a harsh affect.

I think I would be remiss if I didn't mention the things I like about this image. I love the looks of the heat elements the grey tone gives me the feeling they are turned on. I love the splatter in the back of the oven. I also love the humor in it and appreciate it greatly. And lastly I love the subject. Looks psycho and that works here.

Overall you have a great concept here and a good image. Hard shot to pull off but I think you did admirably. A few tweeks here and there would help...

If you have any comments or questions about this please don't hesitate to email me.

Dave Nitsche

Jingle Bells
by Gekker

Comment:
Carrey, greatings from the Critique Club.

Wow did you pick a hard one!!! I have personal experience with shooting bells. Yuck. They are bright shiney metallic globes of death in my eyes. I had all bells removed from my house after the shoot. LOL.

If you want to use bright shiney bells use indirect lighting and never use flash. I had to take 10 quartz lamps (with diffusers) and face them away from the subject and bounce the light back at the subject. It still was a glare nightmare.

I would also suggest to remove the mirror. Mirrors refract glare many times making the reflection look out of focus which is what you have going on here.

I didn't get a chance to vote on your image. I think your score on this is a bit low with all the stuff you probably had to go through to get it. It is a nice try with a very unforgiving subject. Next time borrow ever neighbors house lights and bounce that light at the subject. Might help a bunch. And give yourself a chance and don't use a mirror!!!

If you have any comments or questions about this email me, I would love to hear from ya...

Dave Nitsche

Silent All These Years - Tori Amos
by paynekj

Comment:
Kevin, greeting from the critique club.

You picked a strong impactful song title. Hard to pull off though. I get the silent part, but what is indicating a period of time? I asked this question about a bunch of images this week. One part would be represented but the other wouldn't.

I like the highlights in the eyes and the half and half lighting on the face and the converse lighting theme on the background wall. I don't like the wallpaper in this shot. I think a white BG might have made the subject stand out better. A few too many dark tones present. A white BG might have made the subject pop.

The last thing I might suggest is some sort of a facial expression. Being uncomfortably silent would suggest some pent up rage, so maybe and expression of wanting to break out? Just a thought.

Nice try. Tough image to attempt. If you have any comments or questions drop me a line. I would be happy to hear from you...

Dave Nitsche

Crossing
by timj351

Comment:
Best image this week IMO. Wonderful DOF and sharpness. I love the composition. Really enjoyed it, thanks for sharing... Dave