Golden Center
by piggy82

Comment:
*Critique Club*

Wow...Sure got a lot of good comments on this one huh? One cut and paste comment that she made 1500 times. Literally. Anyway, hope I can add something useful here.
The first thing I notice about this shot is the color. Very nice, vivid colors. I like how the flower is set apart from the background nicely.
The focus and clarity are great. Nice focus on the center of the flower, nice blur in the background. The darker spot in the background in the lower left is a slight distraction because it doesn't match with the rest of the background.
I'm wondering if this might have looked better with the center of the flower off to one corner. A lot of times, subjects do not have as much visual appeal when dead center in the photo, and I wonder if it might add just a little twist to this shot to pull that center down into maybe the bottom left corner. This would eliminate the dark distraction, and also add a bit of interest to the photo as well.
As is, it seems like just another flower shot to me. A beautiful flower though.
The lighting appears to have been cooperating very well. There is a white spot in the dead center of the center, which I cannot determine if it's a light reflection or if it's part of the flower. Either way, in advanced editing, this could have been cloned over very easily and it would have made the center a bit more uniform without the white distraction.
This definately fits the challenge in my opinion. The competition was amazing.
Overall, nice shot, but needs a little something to add extra appeal.
~Heather~

Dreamcatcher - Stephen King
by Alain

Comment:
Hmm...I'm thinking that the background is distracting because it's hard to even tell what it is. Even after you've said what it was, it's still hard for someone who hasn't seen the actual sight to envision. I am a huge SK fan, and do think that it would work nicely with a cabin in the background, however, I think it might be a bit too abstract to work here. I saw your post in the most misunderstood thread, and just wanted to let ya know my opinions.
~Heather~

Disco Bowling
by rishinicolai

Comment:
*Critique Club*

I really like this. The motion blur works, it's in a setting and not set up, and the color is very nice as well.
Someone made the comment that they didn't appreciate all the negative space, but that's the only suggestion I could think of is that I'd actualy like to see MORE negative space. Just a bit to the right side of the image. The ball and the main bowler seem a little cramped and my eyes are really drawn to the guy in the blue shirt. I think that if there were a bit more space to the right, that maybe he would seem like he were located in a more 'main area' of the photo. If that makes sense. Looking at it though, I realize that there were probably ball return units or something to the right, and that might not have been very attractive as far as visual appeal goes, however, I still think that I'd like to see the guy in the blue shirt in a more important location within the photo.
The color is great, I think the lighting probably played a huge part in that. Great way to use the lighting to your advantage here.
I think the background works very well. Very clean and non distracting. Did a great job of not getting other people/stuff in the background and that makes the overall photo have a clean look to it.
I'm thinking this didn't score higher because there was a lot of great competition and maybe the viewers couldn't personally connect with the photo. Technically though, you did a great job with this one.
~Heather~

P.S. Might I make a couple personal suggestions? I notice you've been around over a year, and have only made 1 comment in return to the almost 80 you have received. I learned more giving comments on other's photos than I did receiving them. You don't have to be a professional to tell people what you like/don't like and why you like/don't like it. You'll find that once you start picking apart others photos, you'll be more critical of your own.
Also, you put N/A in the camera details sections in order to get this critique, next time, don't fudge the info. It is helpful to CCers when writing in depth critiques of your work.

Message edited by author 2006-07-08 16:09:48.

Meditating on platform 17
by olbol

Comment:
*Critique Club*

First off, Congrats on your high score and great finish. This photo is well deserving of that.
Second, I see you have never marked a comment as Helpful, so you either don't find any of the information provided helpful (in that case, I'm afraid I wont be of much help either, since I tend to agree with most of the comments) or you just have no intentions of acknowledging people for taking the time to offer words on your photos.
Either way, it's kind of discouraging.
Anyway, about the photo...
I love it. I think you did a wonderful job with the motion blur. The focus is excellent on the man. Very nice and crisp, great detail.
I like the colors in the background, I think that despite the bright background colors, the man still stands out nicely against the background.
I like that he is in the center of the photo. I think that works very well here in my opinion. It doesn't always work, but in this case, I like it.
Lighting also appears good. Editing works great too.
Not really much else to say about a 7th place 6.56 scoring image but great job.
~Heather~

Porch Light
by 777STAN

Comment:
*Critique Club*

My 500th Critique Club Critique! Yay.
Anyway, I'm not a huge fan of abstract images, so this doesn't impress me on a personal level, and since you didn't post your intentions for the photo in the photographer's comments section, I can only offer my critique based on personal opinion alone, since I have no clue what your intentions were.
You state that it was 'practice'. Practice for what? What were you trying to achieve here? If you were ONLY trying to achieve Motion blur, well, I think you got got it, but motion blur might be one of the easiest things to photograph. It's making it look good that's hard.
I think that not having anything in the image to really hold our attention hurts it. We look at it, say 'oh, some blurry lights' and move on.
I do like that the subject is not directly in the center of the photo. That I think was a plus for this image. Although I'm not sure what was outside the photo on the top, I assume that it was better cropped the way you have cropped it. However, I think one commenter mentioned the blue color at the bottom as being distracting, and I'm going to have to agree. With all the negative space at the bottom, my eyes want to see it all one solid color. The only way it would work, is if the blue tied in with the subject somehow to help enhance it, but I don't feel that the blue adds anything to the photo as is. At this point, it is just a distraction. Not sure cropping it out would work though, since then it would be almost panoramic. So I think the only reasonable solution there would be to reshoot and make sure that blue light wasn't there. Cover it up maybe? Put something over top of it?
The motion blur is nice and crisp. Haha. If that makes any sense at all. What I mean is that the light trails are sharp, and not fuzzy, which is also a bonus. For an abstract, I think you did an ok job. I mean, while it's not really my thing, it IS better than some I've seen.
Kind of hard to critique an abstract, since the technicals kind of go out the door, but I hope this helps in the event of a reshoot, and remember, this is just my personal opinion. If you like it, that's all that matters.
~Heather~

Land Roving
by Len Scap

Comment:
*Critique Club*

Put me in the group that thinks this is a great shot but would like to see the negative space in front of the vehicle.
The focus and clarity are really good here. I think you did a great panning job and the focus of the vehicle is very good, while the blurred background contrasts it perfectly. I like the patterns that the blur creates in the background. Color in the background is very nice as well.
Color on the vehicle however seems odd. There is a blue cast on the vehicle, and on the person as well. I could say 'oh, it's just their shirt' but it's their face that is blue too, and that strikes me as very odd. Actually, once I notice it (almost right away) it's where my attention is drawn every time, so it's a huge distraction for me.
Not sure what caused this blue tint, so not sure how to fix it other than going in and manually spot editing it to fix it.
The lighting is very good, I think the lighting is what really helps the focus to be right on and the vehicle to stand out so weel on the background.
You did a very nice job with this. The subject doesn't really make me jump out of me seat with excitement, however, technically, it's well done with the exception of the cropping/framing. This is all just my opinion of course.
~Heather~

In a Well Balanced World
by Djabordjabor

Comment:
*Critique Club*

This is an amazing photo! I really like it. The only thing actually that stands out to me as odd in this photo is the large dark object to the right of the photo. It seems out of place, and while I realize you probably couldn't move it, I still wish that maybe it hadn't been there. Just the smaller rocks would have been awesome.
I love the sky and the balance between the sky and the ground. The focus on the grass is great.
Focus and clarity throughout the image is perfect. I think you did a wonderful job technically with everything.
The editing is great. The detail in both the sky and the ground is amazing.
You did a great job of getting the horizon line nicely levelled and I like how the horizon line is down low within the photo. I like how you have put so much sky in ths shot, I think that it helps enhance the peacefulness of the photo.
My first impression of this photo was that the kid was still able to maintain sanity even in a hectic world. My nitpic would be that I would have Siggi not smiling. Maybe have a more relaxed look on their face. otherwise, I think this shot fits the challenge well and is technically well done, and has that visual appeal that viewers love.
Overall great job, not much more to say! Congrats.
~Heather~

night conversation
by latida

Comment:
*critique club*

What I'm seeing is a photo that is entirely out of focus. I'm not seeing anything at all in focus and that is what bothers me about this image. The motion blur doesn't add to the photo in my opinion either. In this image, I would prefer to see everything in focus, even the people, which unfortunately makes this a bad choice of image for the challenge.
Not sure how to explain it, but in this instance, having the people blurred doesn't make a lost of sense. You didn't offer any hint as to your purpose of the photo in your Photographer's comments section, so I'm not sure what you intent for the photo was. I don't know if you purposely made everything in the entire photo out of focus or if it was just an accident or whatever. So my critique can be based only on personal opinion.
My advice would have been to set the camera down on something, and use the timer if available. That way, it will eliminate any chance of blurring due to camera shake.
The image seems quite dark as well. It's really hard to see what's going on. Ok, there's a conversation, but since you can't capture the conversation in a photo, we only get to see 2 people sitting, moving a little and they were drinking water by a beach? I'd like to see a main focal point. Something that draws us in and hold us there. The photo lacks interest to anyone who wasn't there to experience it.
The angle and framing are ok. Having the people one on each side of the photo is good. I think that creates balance as far as that goes. However, your horizon is tilted and with those lights in the background, it is blaringly obvious. Pay closer attention to your background when there is such a strong horizontal line.
Overall I think the entire shot needs work, starting with lessening the items that are out of focus.
Fits the challenge though.
~Heather~

Broken Dreams
by xXxscarletxXx

Comment:
*Critique Club*

Well, I think this definately fits the Desolation theme. I like the black and white treatment, I think it enhances the textures and details of the photo, which are also very nice. I think the lighting on the skin is a little unflattering, however, it's not suposed to be a glamor image, so maybe that works just fine in the end.
The set up is great for the theme. I like the smeared makeup look. She looks sad. I did a shot similar a loooong time ago and used 'posterize' to enhance the appearance of crying. Wonder if that could work her as well? Something to try anyway. Since you didn't give any editing details, I can't really offer much advice in the way of editing, only my personal opinions.
The darkness works for me to help give this a sad/hurt feel.
Focus and clarity are really good, I wonder though if the strange texture on the face might be from over sharpening? Again, I can only offer my opinion on what I see, since I know nothing about the image for sure. If you want more detailed advice on things like this, my suggestion would be to offer more details so that the CC may know more of what's going on with your images.
Overall, it fits the challenge, and I think technically you did a good job. As you already know, not really a 'wow' image, and lacking something that just holds our attention for long.
~Heather~

sebastian
by arsenal

Comment:
I took a very similar photo of my son for some challenge. Didn't enter it though. I really love the black and white treatment and the look on the child's face is priceles. Love the background/surroundings. Focus is right on and this is just an amazing capture. Congrats. I could stare at him forever.
~Heather~