A Mother's Smile
by scarbrd

Comment:
Gorgeous colors in this shot.

The Wild
by AllenP

Comment:
It's the Milli Vanilli effect. Was their music any different when it was revealed that they weren't really singing? No, the songs didn't change - but people still went ballistic. Is this photo any different now that you know it's not really "the wild?" Nope, same photo. People don't like being duped, though.

Message edited by author 2013-09-08 07:15:01.

IT WON'T COME OUT!!!!!
by xXxscarletxXx

Comment:
I really like the gritiness of this shot, especially as it relates to the subject matter. However, the subject is looking right at the camera and not the brush, which makes it appear much more posed and less genuine. It's also a tad dark overall for my tastes, though I do like the desaturated quality and very nice sharpness and focus.

Bound
by brownsm

Comment:
Cool, gritty image and love the b&w... but the plaid button-up shirt detracts from the shot IMO.

Unleash Me
by Giorgio

Comment:
I like the postprocessing on this image and overall it's a good photo, but the expression on the guy's face takes me out of the moment completely...

Double Trouble
by Warby

Comment:
I absolutely love this photograph. Of all the "posed" portraits in this contest, the expressions in this one feel the most genuine to me. Great backlighting, a wonderful, natural rake across their faces, and just enough catchlight to really bring out the personality in their eyes. If I were to make any critical comments, I would say that you might want to bring the key around to the front just a *hair* so that the ping in the eye of the boy on the left is a bit stronger, and I feel the right side could've been cropped off ever so slightly to balance some of the empty space on that side. Otherwise, fantastic entry and a beautiful "color portrait."

The Bites as good as the Bark !!!
by kiwinick

Comment:
Of all the animal portraits in this contest, I think I like this one the best. The focus falloff is great, and tack sharp in the right place. The background is also both appropriate and interesting, and the angle adds some nice depth to the shot. It does appear to be just slightly off-balanced to me, but a simple crop could fix that. Overall, the contrast and tonality here is very nice and I enjoyed this shot a lot. Good job.

James
by LalliSig

Comment:
As far as a portrait goes, I think this is pretty darn perfect. The sharpness is fantastic, the bokeh is beautiful, and the composition and the pose are great. I'm wondering if users will not be appreciative of the fact that there is very little tonal contrast in the image; it's almost a sepia picture with the exception of the eyes and slight magenta in the lips and face. While I'm sure that's the intent (it certainly brings the focus in on the eyes), the rules specifically state "no sepia!" and I hope people don't revolt as a result. :-) I will say that the eyes do feel a bit overprocessed to me, which seems to be a trend among a lot of the color portraits here. I think there is something to be said for a more natural feel, which leaves the viewer with a more genuine appreciation for the photo. Also, be careful of burning highlghts in post, as the whites become dull and grey, and again not as realistic. Areas that are already blown out don't benefit from burning as there is no detail to extract from the area, and it's my opinion that it's OK to have blowouts in your shot if they are appropriate! That being said, I think it's a really nice photograph and one of my favorites in this group. Good job.

I Command
by TCGuru

Comment:
This is such an interesting photograph, especially the contrast of the colorful child against the gloomy backdrop. The expression on the face is quite different as well; I'm not sure I know the intent of the subject, but I think this plays to the overall image very nicely. I feel like the crop could've been just a little stronger with a bit more information at the bottom of the frame, but that's about my only nit-pick. The focus is sharp and the personality is great. Good job.

working dog
by dragonlady

Comment:
This is a stunning portrait and I could really care less that it's not of a person. Hopefully you won't get hammered for it. I love the color and the focus, and perhaps most particularly the shape of the catchlight in the eyes. I almost want just a tad more detail in the shadow area; I think it would add some depth to the overall engulfing darkness. Nice crop, however and beautiful subject. Good job.