The Golden Days
by zandergerald

Comment by snaffles:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

First rule of DPC. Read the rules. Second and all subsequent rules of DPC: See first rule. It is very, very, VERY important to read and understand not only the ruleset for challenges, which tell you what you can't do, and more importantly....what you CAN do. Like go to 1200 pixels on the longest side. More importantly you failed to follow a very simple rule which was clearly outlined in the challenge description, and did not title your image 'Aftermath' as instructed.

The photo itself is only OK. I keep going back looking at it to see something that grabs my eye and draws me in, but there's nothing there in terms of composition to act as a focal point and start telling a story. The horizon is level and the colours are nice but so little is in focus, and so little of what is in focus to be seen, that it's all too easy to give this pic a low score and move on to the next one.

So, to submit a somewhat drab photo that could easily have been 1/3 bigger and to ignore that extra rule requiring you to title it appropriately, has resulted in a very top-heavy histogram.

Moral of this story: read the rules. Then follow them. And if there is ever a little yellow flag next to a challenge descrip, it behooves you to go and read up and learn why that flag is there, and follow whatever special instructions are indicated.

Sorry to come down a little hard on you, but that's just the way it is here. Feel free to PM me with any questions.

Susan

The Calming
by zandergerald

Comment by sidpixel:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

A very pleasing scene assumed to meet the challenge.

I get the pleasure to comment on your image once more! What a beautiful image, everything about it is wonderful, I like your composition but the most striking thing is the peace and serenity it invokes. The reflections are simply gorgeous, the high key effect is excellent although if I am to try and fault it in any way at all perhaps the exposure is verging just a little too close to overexposure in part of the foreground sky but it really is minimal, I think in view of the overall effect and impact it is totally acceptable.

I think what makes it work so well is that you have a total domination of high key whites and pastel blues and then that little bit of three different quite bright colours in the paintwork of the boats that gives it just enough hint of disruption to really bring it all together. It really is so stunning an image, I'm gonna have to fave it.

Thank you for giving us such a treat to enjoy, it's a real shame you don't appear to be active, I hope you rectify that very soon, Sid

The Calming
by zandergerald

Comment by bohemka:
Very nice photo. Your choice in processing works beautifully.

The Calming
by zandergerald

Comment by Denise:
perfect title for this, this is one of my favs in the challenge

The Calming
by zandergerald

Comment by sidpixel:
Tranquility and serenity both well expressed within this 'calming' image, well taken, a high score.

The Calming
by zandergerald

Comment by mitalapo:
great all around work with water colors

The Calming
by zandergerald

Comment by tanguera:
Simple and sublime. The peaceful mirror reflection is outstanding. Must be doing very well for you

The Calming
by zandergerald

Comment by Ammie:
What a nice soothing picture. Where does one get this super reflection? Calm waters indeed

The Calming
by zandergerald

Comment by grahamgator:
Beautiful high key image.

The Calming
by zandergerald

Comment by UNTITLED:
Very ethereal and dreamy photo with the sky reflection...well done!