I Can't Drive 55!
by sabal5

Comment by karmat:
CRITIQUE CLUB CRITIQUE
by karmat

The quality of this shot is very good. The details are visible, and it is well lit/exposed. The black and white is okay, but I can't help but wonder what the color version would look like.

I think a couple of things could be done to really make this an awesome shot. First of all, a lower camera angle would have "emphasized" the child more. Right now, it has a "snapshot" feeling to it instead of a "portrait" feeling because the viewer is looking down on her. However, this will really bring up some stuff in the background that you may not want to see, so a tighter crop, even allowing some of the car to "exit' the frame might have to be done.

If you want to leave it like it is, though, I would strongly recommend cropping the top so that the car and house is not showing. Also, by cropping it as closely to the "car" as you have, it feels very tight and cramped. Maybe "loosening" it a little on either side, or cropping it so that some of it is not shown, might work.

I think you have chosen an excellent subject. I, for one, appreciated the humor you portrayed, and the take on the challenge. This is a shot that you, or the parents of the child if it is not you, will enjoy for years. Best to you in future challenges.

Cheers!
by sabal5

Comment by jaam:
Cheers for your shot. sorry could not resist. Looks as though you have picked up a TV in your glass which has also caused that rather distracting purple fringe at the top of the pic, and on the rim of the glass. I also think that you would been better off using something blue to create the effect that you have with the green. This would have helped the purple bits, and I think blue works better with red than green.

I Can't Drive 55!
by sabal5

Comment by irae:
You could crop the XXX at the top a little to lose the distracting elements and put the cutie on a hotspot. I don't know if B/W was the right choice here.

Ice Storm
by sabal5

Comment by indigo997:
As for fitting the challenge, you did it. As for taking a high quality photo.. I think it needs a little work. This seems more like a documentary type shot that you'd see in the paper although I'm not sure that they would be able to print it because of the soft focus. It also seems dark, and it is hard to make out what we're seeing due to all the branches.
We had a similar mess on my street during that week with lots of trees downed during a micro burst.
Thanks for sharing. Sometimes just participating and getting some comments is worth more than a score anyway.

Counting Down Time with a Paper Chain
by sabal5

Comment by mbardeen:
Greets from the Critique Club:

Initial impression:
Nice colors, distracting shadows, jumbled composition.

Challenge:
I admit that I didn't see the connection to time when I voted on this picture, but after reading the comments I now see the connection. Very creative and neat idea. I remember those days fondly.. Unfortunately I've found it doesn't pay to be too creative around here.

Composition/Creativity:
I'm not sure what to say here. The composition feels jumbled and messy, but I have a feeling that's caused by the shadows.

Technical/Post-Processing:
This is where this photo lets me down. The flash is far too harsh. Try more light without the flash nexttime!

Overall:
Not a strong/apparent enough reference to time. Flash. Good idea and great colors though!

-Matt

Counting Down Time with a Paper Chain
by sabal5

Comment by e301:
The flash ruins this for me: what could have been a really intersting composition with more intersting lighting.

Counting Down Time with a Paper Chain
by sabal5

Comment by Swashbuckler:
???? Good color and focus on most of the paper. Flash(?) shadows seem a bit harsh and the lighting on the right edge yellow paper is very harsh. Challenge - without the title, I wouldn't see any connection, with the title, I just don't understand the connection (my bad). 5 Swash

Counting Down Time with a Paper Chain
by sabal5

Comment by clues56:
Nice colors, but the shadows are a little heavy. It would be nice if some of it were in very sharp focus. Original