Training
by DottieD

Comment by DrAchoo:
I gave this a 5. It is too dark. We cannot see detail of the subject well enough to appreciate what he is doing. It's possible the camera wasn't happy with the bright background and was trying to compensate. Fill flash might have helped. The subject matter, while not bad, isn't too exciting either. I'm not quite sure what our firefighter is actually doing (working with a fire extinguisher?); but perhaps waiting for a more dynamic or exciting moment could have boosted the score. Your conversion to duotone was well done.

Training
by DottieD

Comment by bluenova:
Hi DottieD,

Sorry you didn't get ANY comments on this pic, I'm just a beginner but I'll try to add my own thoughts.

First of, I don't think this was the best picture for the Duotone challenge, as I think the picture would have held up better under full colour.

The backlighting has really spoilt the picture making the foreground very dark. Either the picture needs to be recomposed to have the light coming from the right direction or some kind of fill-light needs to be used in the foreground.

With regards to composition the diagonal line of the drain adds to the composition but cutting out half of the fireman and fire extinguisher detracts from it. The background with the bin and cable also detract from the main image, a shallower DOF to blur those out may have helped.

HTH
Bluenova

Paco's Desire
by DottieD

Comment by Sammie:
What a beautiful cat portrait.

Paco's Desire
by DottieD

Comment by sfalice:
Now, this is a kitty portrait! Good one. 9

Paco's Desire
by DottieD

Comment by SandyP:
That is very striking -- the snow white on the velvet black! Beautiful job! Its razor sharp too! Good luck! I love it.

Paco's Desire
by DottieD

Comment by mk:
A bird? Some fish? :)

Nice post and great detail in the fur. Gives it a great soft feeling without being soft itself. There's a little shadow in the eye on the right (his left) that I would like to see lightened.

Paco's Desire
by DottieD

Comment by Jutilda:
EXCELLENT! The softness of his fur. Beautiful detailing. The light really showcases his gorgeous face. Perfect use of a black background too. GOOD KITTY!! 9

Paco's Desire
by DottieD

Comment by Mambe:
Lovely !

Six String Music
by DottieD

Comment by xtine:
this is a very nice shot,great processing.

Thinking Man
by DottieD

Comment by colyla:
very very handsome boy!!!