To kill the spirit
by HighNooner

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: This is extraordinarily contrived - I like that, it's deliberative and conceptual and doesn't pretend to be anything else. There is careful placement of everything which detracts from notions of authenticity - the result is almost a parody of a ritual - I like that too. You have created art that is separate from the subject but emerges as a consequence of it. That's quite clever I think.

Critical stuff: No, I daren't touch a thing.

Overall: Interesting and brave.

Compassion
by PeterC

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: This is a real mixture of things - the demeanour of the woman is at odds with the expression of the man and the bright sunlight is at odds with the padded chair top right. And then there's the dog... It's like one of those images you might be given to write a story about - there is such a diversity of possible interpretations.

Critical stuff: Those highlights are too harsh for me.

Overall: I do (quite) like it but for me, it hasn't allowed my brain to create enough coherence for it to resonate with my sensibilities!

oh,what to create on this unseemly little surface
by cutout

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: Now, this IS a strange one. Always good. I like how implicit but nonetheless significant the high window out of shot to the left is. That articulation with the world outside helps to place the viewer in the room and create a small amount of claustrophobia. When we look around the room, we only get a partial sense of its purpose - a surface, a floodlight, some picture frames.... like I'm in a room to be observed, my actions to be analysed for insight into my mind...

Critical: Not really - I do wonder whether the grain is gratuitous and whether a cleaner image would have made the room seem more authentic and thus more claustrophobic.

Overall: It won't be many people's cup of tea, but I find it to be effective.

and the oysters were delicious
by jjbeguin

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: What a perspective! The scene shunned in favour of a point of view. There is a world of difference in those two things and by making that choice you bring the image alive - we are transported. The individual elements hang together so week, each contributed a unique texture and layer - the depth so created reinforces the sense of being there. I particularly like the tape. Great title too - echos the personal experience of that time and place.

Critical stuff: Nope

Overall: An image that distinguishes itself from others that might have been. In a way, that's the simple art of a great photo.

three hung ten
by bspurgeon

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: I wonder if this is one of Ben's - it could be. Great minimalism and grain with a fine sense of movement. The suggestion of surfboard and leg pull it back from the brink of reality and grounds it fully in the real world. By doing so, it reminds us that the way we see the world is but a version of many possible truths and how the one we live is complicated (conflated even) by visual clutter. This image invites us to see purer forms.

Critical stuff: Nope

Overall: It got me (over?) thinking. I like that.

wicker for two
by timfythetoo

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: I like how the elements of the image are woven together - mirroring the wicker of the furniture. The height difference of the cats and the different parts shown create the impression of a loop of existence, like a Escher piece. I like the coloration and the movement of the lower cat too.

Critical stuff: The white paw approaches being blown and the tones are flat, some highlight recovery or the addition of some tonal contrast into the paw would have helped I think.

Overall: Imaginative and effective.

When two worlds collide
by GinaRothfels

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: I really like the gritty feel of this image, it feels 'worldly', live a carved and presented part of it rather than an image of it. Like an exhibit or an artistic installation. The noise works really well and the billboard image lights up the entire piece.

Critical stuff: Not much

Overall: Well found, composed and presented.

Charm is deceptive, and Beauty is Fleeting, but...
by Ichristfollower

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: Astonishing portrait. I wouldn't want to mess with her! Such purpose in her stride - it offers a huge amount of dynamism to the image - at first glance the image almost appears to move. Of course, your nailed focus, with this depth of field, helps isolate your subject make our eyes snap to attention - I think this active pulling of the gaze enhances the feeling of a real moment.

Critical stuff: No

Overall: Top class street candid.

Ecce Homo
by mariuca

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: I like the bi-zonal effect here, the prominent foreground gentleman draws the eye but only for a moment before our gaze is hijacked by the officious interloper at the top. He breaks (and won't permit) us to share in the man's apparent quiet. I not often brave enough to go with a Dutch angle but it works really well here, anchored as it is by the verticals of the bench. I like your title too - I'm not sure I see suffering here though discomfort perhaps.

Critical stuff: No.

Overall: A very well made (and intriguing) image.

Melancholy Man
by wei1108

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: What a fabulous portrait - full of character. I really like the setting too - those steps give the image a real sense of depth. Tones are pretty much perfect for this shot.

Critical stuff: That is a great door, but I think a composition that cropped just this side of the door, putting him bottom right of the image might have worked better - not least because your marvellous subject would be a bit larger on the screen.

Overall: Despite my suggestion of a different crop - yours does work and I DO like this image a great deal.