Trout Country
by jonder

Comment:
Beautiful autumn colors. The exposure it great

Big Sur
by E yenocpr2

Comment:
I'm not sure if I like the lens flare, or not... it's certainly adds drama, but there isn't really anything to hold my interest too much

Replenish the Earth
by davidus428

Comment:
Beautiful, rich colors, and nice composition.

Reflected Sky
by Karat

Comment:
If this had been bigger, it would have done extremely well, I think. Great shot, but the little size makes it lose it's "punch"

water
by quban

Comment:
Wow - this looks like it could be malachite! This photo has a nice serene & peaceful quality.

Candle in the wind
by avermaa

Comment:
Great idea and nice, warm tones. The scale is a little bothersome - the candle just seems overly huge next to the glass.

Autumn Reflection
by vonautsch

Comment:
Wonderful - nice framing with the trees, beautiful deep depth of field. It looks a little crooked, but it's still stunning

Cathedral
by redmoon

Comment:
This is great. I love the muted color. It reminds me of being an alter boy & looking at the reflections in the "communion catcher"

My Corner of Middle Earth
by 3eyedcrow

Comment:
<< Critique Club >>

Initial Impression:
Beautiful colors. Nice, warm, comforting feel. I love Lord of the Rings!

Composition:
It's not bad, but there really isn't a focal point that my eye naturally stops on. Considering the challenge, perhaps if you had arranged the map & items to point to The Shire in the lower corner, or something.

Color/Tone:
I think the colors are gorgeous. And you have captured not only the look of Middle Earth, but also the feel, which is astonishing.

Focus/Exposure:
Great focus & lighting. Judging from your aperature/shutter speed setting, you used very low lighting, which was an excellent choice.

Title:
Not spectacular, but not bad, either. The challenge was "your corner", so it wasn't really necessary to repeat that, but that's just me nitpicking.

Meets the Challenge:
I think it does exceptionally, because, like you said, although you may not physically live here, this is where your spirit soars.

Summary:
Great "out of the box" entry! It personally resonates with me, because I appreciate how someone could connect with the Shire so deeply. You've presented the poignant, subdued & terrible beauty of Middle Earth brilliantly.

Message edited by HBunch - fixing cc glitch.

(Golden) Wedding Anniversary
by davidus428

Comment:
<< Critique Club >>

Initial Impression:
Very "realistic" card - looks like something you could buy!

Composition:
I like how you composed the shot. The sweep of the rose & the candy kisses cradles frame the rings & text nicely. I like how you have one of the kisses sideways - it gives a sense of spontaneity & enhances the romantic quality of the photo.

Color/Tone:
It's not bad, but I think I would prefer the background to be a true white. Perhaps you were going for a soft candlelight-type white balance, but I don't really get that feeling from it. Also, I don't care for the orange-ish color of the text - a deeper red to match the beautiful color of the rose would have been more pleasing, I think.

Focus/Exposure:
Very crisp focus! The highlights could be considered little too bright, but I think it works for the type of photo it is. Did you think of trying some gaussian blur to it?

Title:
Well, the challenge said to name it the type of card it is, and you did, so the title was very well done! I don't think the parenthesis around Golden are necessary, but oh well!

Meets the Challenge:
Yes - you've met the challenge extremely well.

Summary:
Very commercial looking - I can totally see this on a "real" card. You really have created a beautiful photo in honor of your wife - congratulations!