iSlink
by daisydavid

Comment:
Lovely capture and a nicely dark presentation. Great clarity where it needs to be.

A screaming comes across the sky.
by 4trtone

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 don't really understand this image and I enjoy how another part of my brain asks me why I expect to. I do quite like the colour palette too....

Critical stuff: Despite the internal dialogue this image promotes, I'm not a fan - even as an abstract I feel the image isn't effective for me - I think I'd have enjoyed lower contrast and higher saturation.

Overall: A challenging piece of work but not one for me I'm afraid.

window
by jmritz

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: Well, you have stopped me for long enough to drop one of these comments upon you and I DO like the fact that you have challenged us with this image... Now that you have me, I find the eye fascinating - like a glimpse of ET frozen in a stasis chamber!

Critical stuff: I find the colour noise ugly and all though the image is somewhat compelling, it is nonetheless difficult to like.

Overall: Always pleased to see people sticking challenging images into Free Studies so thanks for that.

Bon Appetit
by tanguera

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: Johanna - I love quirky portraits and you are the master of those. This is just superb. The humour, the matter-of-factness, the seemingly relaxed chicken are of course the stars, but the technicals are also compelling - the nicely diffused background, the shadow on the face and the well-preserved reflection in the table - all contribute much.

Critical stuff: Although the shadow is great on Carl's face and on the bird - I think it is perhaps a bit deep on his right hand.

Overall: A portrait of the highest quality.

My eye can break your lens!
by pjotre7

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 quirky portraits and this certainly hits that button. The slight coloration is absolutely perfect. The intensity of the eyes and the wild hair stops you in your tracks. Some may complain about the stray hair over the eye - I really like that, it communicates spontaneity.

Critical stuff: I think main part of the hair looks over sharpened/defined - a low opacity blur brush may have helped to dispel some of its 'crunchiness'.

Overall: Unusual and compelling portrait.

Off the Grid
by daevans

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 appreciate landscape photography but seldom do I enjoy one as much as this. The human element adds much and your tone-mapped presentation is a perfect match for the scene. The perspective offered by the trailer is supported so well by that long dark cloud above and this slight over-exposure does much to optimise the image.

Critical stuff: The slight blue handing around the central part of the clouds looks a little unfortunate against the rest of the image.

Overall: Great stuff. Very enjoyable.

The Adventure Cyclist
by acoppola

Comment:
Impressive image - wonderful landscape made special by the cycling person. The vignette is perfect.

The Flower
by bcrants

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: Standout image from this amazing POV. Great overall composition actually and the structure in her skirt adds much to it's texture. I also like the very subtle floor textures too and the interplay between the dancer and her shadow is most compelling.

Critical stuff: Nothing really

Overall: A lovely image that will do well.

Man in the Box
by MinsoPhoto

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 the third time I've typed out a long comment (lost it twice!) - let's try again. Not that I'm particularly familiar with you from this angle, I'm pretty convinced this is a MinsoPhoto self portrait. I find the image to be bold, brave and mighty fine! I like the stark lighting and the deep shadows so provided, I like the skirting and how it shows us that corner in a way the walls do not, I like the white squiggle bottom left and the textures of the surfaces and I very much like the ceiling vent and how that tames the space. Fantastic contrast too.

Critical stuff: Nope.

Overall: Bravo. I could see this hanging in a gallery - and this coming from someone who shoots very different nudes. I've given you a 9 - in lesser challenges I may have gone higher but for this one I'm reserving my 10s for just four shots that have knocked my socks off.

Sorceress
by LevT

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 an amazing portrait Lev - more so given the original file; I can't remember where I saw that, but to have seen the potential and then to pull off an edit to this effect is amazing. Toning and structure is just brilliant and the expression of the women priceless.

Critical stuff: I think the linearly textured background over her left shoulder is perhaps a little distracting - might it have been selectively blurred? (Nit-picking!)

Overall: A magnificent portrait - very well seen and masterfully edited.