Estuary at Daybreak
by Bear_Music

Comment:
Wow - well done. I hadn't rumbled you'd finished here.

Evolution of a boy
by Judi

Comment:
I meant to leave a comment during voting. I thought this was so very beautiful.

A moment of silence
by Ltrouard

Comment:


Awarded for the September 2011 Free Study.

Gardening
by Melethia

Comment:
Yay! WTG.

Twinkle Toes
by tanguera

Comment:
Wow, well done!

Splendidly effective image.

Peter
by Bear_Music

Comment:
Apologies - no time for a 'Longer Look' comment before challenge end. I'll come back after.

Back to update this comment. Apologies, I'd forgotten I'd be in an Internet black hole before rollover.

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: The perfectly judged processing is a standout for me here - high in detail and subtlety; quite a feat. The light, with that shadow cast across the face is compelling and his expression is such that we seem to be viewing an authentic (and unobserved) moment.

Critical stuff: The background looks a bit patchy, with some target banding on my monitor - would something like median cut sort that out?

Overall: A very authentic image, its slight reportage feel and its clarity gives us a sense an unmediated view. I like that.

Message edited by author 2011-10-10 05:09:38.

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep...
by Leo

Comment:
Back to update this comment. Apologies, I'd forgotten I'd be in an Internet black hole before rollover.

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 an honest piece of work this is. Straight up, close up, nothing to hide. Almost (but not quite) brutal in its capture. The flat toning only serves to further its unfettered look and feel.

Critical stuff: It's not an easy image to look at, our viewpoint gives a sense of invading personal space. The eyes are a little dark to communicate fully.

Overall: A very true portrait.

Message edited by author 2011-10-10 05:33:13.

Doriana Gray
by LevT

Comment:
Apologies - no time for a 'Longer Look' comment before challenge end. I'll come back after.

Back to update this comment. Apologies, I'd forgotten I'd be in an Internet black hole before rollover.

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: How clever - the title, the angle, the image, the nature of the activities of the pair of them - you get a sense of social-media-ness going on with the young lady and quiet (but intense) introspection by the older lady. The superimposing angles are fabulous and coupled with the title we have something quite magnificent.

Critical stuff: Perhaps a tad under-processed? I wonder if the background could have been pulled back a little... It would remove some honesty though I suppose.

Overall: An image of our time. Great stuff.



Message edited by author 2011-10-17 07:55:08.

A moment of silence
by Ltrouard

Comment:
Apologies - no time for a 'Longer Look' comment before challenge end. I'll come back after.

Back to update this comment. Apologies, I'd forgotten I'd be in an Internet black hole before rollover.

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: A moment of silence indeed - yet you have communicated the sound of it magnificently. As a memorial this photograph is important, a permanent moment of remembrance - how much more powerful than the temporary flora that flanks your image. The human element of your brother's quiet form anchors the image and your choice of toning for the image is perfect.

Critical stuff: Nothing at all

Overall: An image that resonates with our lives.

Message edited by author 2011-10-17 08:03:35.

The Laughing Woman
by Melethia

Comment:
Apologies - no time for a 'Longer Look' comment before challenge end. I'll come back after.

Back to update this comment. Apologies, I'd forgotten I'd be in an Internet black hole before rollover.

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 great scene - has my eyes and brain going around in circles - laugher, photography, me, laugher, photographer, me... It actually makes my head bob back and forth like a chicken!

The photographers stance is most amusing and gives us pause for thought about how we might look when we are out and about. The laughing woman is of course key - not least because she looks so terribly jolly!

Critical stuff: Although I like the high saturation, I'm not fond of the red hue of their skin - makes me want to drop a Nik control point onto the skin and selectively pull the saturation back a bit in this areas. I also might've cropped the bench at the mid-point - but I can see the merits of keeping it whole (though I do dislike the plaque!)

Overall: Well seen, well taken. Very nice end result.

Message edited by author 2011-10-17 08:11:03.