A Cold Winter Night
by jjstudiosphiladelphia

Comment by sidpixel:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes to the challenge

This is a very competent cityscape, a nice composition enhanced by the moving clouds in the sky. I like the foreground reflection of the trees but I think there is a good argument for removal of the bright lights reflected, it would be more pleasing without them. I like the silver birch bark and their shapes it makes the foreground more interesting. I̢۪m not keen on the colour balance I would prefer it tweaked to something more natural looking. What your image does not do well is to convey the challenge theme of weather, your title is necessary to help us appreciate it is cold. As you will see from the front page most of the images there convey a particular aspect of the weather.

Just Like Heaven
by jjstudiosphiladelphia

Comment by Tumbleweed:
The purple flowers are a bit bright for me. Cute pose.

Humans of Philadelphia
by jjstudiosphiladelphia

Comment by FotoMunki:
Top 5 for sure. Nice image and processing!

Rainbow
by jjstudiosphiladelphia

Comment by jjstudiosphiladelphia:
Thanks for all the nice comments and thank you sidpixel for all the constructive criticism. This is my very first challenge entry. That being said, I don't feel I did THAT bad, but obviously looking to improve. I did not know dodge/burn was allowed it is unclear from the standard editing rules. I thought only global adjustments were allowed. Otherwise I would have retouched the face, cloned out the circle in the top left, and removed distractions from the top of the image.

I appreciate the critique and thanks for the good and bad-- cuz it's really the bad that makes us improve.

Thanks asij for all the nice words. I wish it would have done better too, but for my first challenge, i'll take it.

~John

Rainbow
by jjstudiosphiladelphia

Comment by sidpixel:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes well to the challenge

Welcome to DPC! What a great way to start, I like your approach in your attempt to create an unusual and unique entry, the prism lighting works quite well in adding the ‘burst of colour’ the challenge is asking for. Inevitably the lighting is quite difficult and causing you some problem which on the whole you have handled well. The pose is unusual and quite effective with the emphasis clearly on her lovely face but the bright highlights on her forehead and temple would benefit from a little dodging to reduce their impact. The white light arrow is a little unfortunate in that it is pointing directly to her nose. The other lighting problem is the bright area above her in the background which together with the circle on the left are both a little distracting. The focus and DOF is good with nice separation from the foreground and background.

I̢۪m sure I speak for many here, welcome John, we look forward to more from you soon...

Rainbow
by jjstudiosphiladelphia

Comment by asij:
I cant believe this did not go in the top 5! Its really well done and has a great feel to it! Gave you a 9. Hope to see more from you,

Rainbow
by jjstudiosphiladelphia

Comment by gintay:
Enter your comment here, and then cast your vote...//www.dpchallenge.com/challenge_vote_image.php?IMAGE_ID=1194703#

Just Like Heaven
by jjstudiosphiladelphia

Comment by kiwinick:
Excellent image , I thought this one really fitted the bill 7

A Cold Winter Night
by jjstudiosphiladelphia

Comment by aircooledguy:
The exposure is cool, but the image doesn't grab me.

Rainbow
by jjstudiosphiladelphia

Comment by kiwinick:
really nice idea and the colour works well