Free Climb
by NovaTiger

Comment:
That looks like an interesting way to spend some time.

The idea fits the challenge perfectly and it is out of the norm which I like. There are some great colors shown what with the cords and bucket and knobs, but they don't quite pop. There is also a bit of a haze to the image, which I've noticed in some of my photos using natural light. Maybe a polorizing filter would help cut down some of that and add a richness to the colors given, especially the blue of the sky.

The composition is pretty good, but I think a more intimate focus, perhaps closer in so you can see the strain or indecision on just one of the men, tighter on the equipment to really close out the portions of the image that aren't needed like the trees might give the photograph a little more strength. Just a thought. Overall I do like its originality and the colors that are present. Looks hard but fun! I gave a 5.

Winning the Addiction: Just a Faded Memory...
by tfarrell23

Comment:
I like the statement the photograph and title make. The image is clean and simple and the border ties it all together nicely, but the image in general, as two faded dice, doesn't hold my interest long.

With the title of the photo as a guide, the idea of the image is iffy to me on 'passing time' but the gambling tie does work so its a moot point. Technique is good, but subject is a little soft on interest in my humble opinion. Gave a 5.

Watching the fish......relaxing hobby
by suemack

Comment:
I like the idea behind this image, but there are a few things that I think might help make it better. The focus is on the cat and some great detail can be seen, but that makes the details of the fish, which are also part of the focus of the image (per the title) unaccessable.

The colors look rich and beautiful, but without the focus they are lost as a haze. Perhaps lighting from above or the side of the aquarium might have helped instead of/or in tandem with the one from behind the cat.

Great idea, all of the necessary points of interest are there, just need to bring some more focus in to let the fish and items in the aquarium add their details. I gave a 4.

Y Chromosome
by glad2badad

Comment:
Interesting photo!

Black & White really works well here. I think its a good choice as it seems to blot out anything that might be distracting and focuses on the action of the image.

Focus is excellent as is the composition in general. Border is unobtrusive and works very nicely. Fits the challenge perfectly.

My only complaint is the blown out whites of the snow, on the knife and the stick. The snow isn't too bad as it kind of gives a background and isn't hugely noticeable, but the knife and the point of the stick lose detail with the shine of the light on them and that detracts a bit from the image.

Overall however it is a strong photograph and I like it very much. I gave it a 7 despite the white issue.

waiting for a fare
by tomzinho

Comment:
Wonderful image!

I really like the choice of black and white for this photograph. It really gives the carriage a shine and makes it gleam out of the busy background.

The focus is fantastic, highlighting the important aspect of the photograph. There is some nice points with the driver adding his own bit of interest and I find the little shop on the right "The Spice Of Life" to be a quirky and fitting (and inadvertant?) subtitle of sorts.

A simple image with a lot of points of interest in it, fits the challenge well, the natural light is nice and even so nothing is hidden from view. Very well done. I gave a 7.

Bird Watching
by vtruan

Comment:
Beautiful bird!

The black and white feathers really pop! The focus on the bird looks pretty good, seems a tad soft, but that could just be from compressing the photo to the needed size.

The natural looking background and light work well, I think the muted tones of the bark help make the bird stand out. I do wish the full bird were in the image, it looks as if the tail was cut off, maybe if the image wasn't so tight on the bird that would help the composition, plus give just a bit more environmental background to add some more interest.

Over all the image is quite nice, the only really distracting portion is in that upper right hand corner where the light is glinting. I gave a 5

A Day At The Beach
by fulgent

Comment:
This is a decent shot that meets the challenge, I think there are some excellent points of interest shown as well.

That said, I find the tone and colors a bit lackluster. Maybe a filter of some kind may have helped, the tones are a bit washed out maybe from the natural light.

I think a shift (if possible) in the composition so that straggly bush wasn't in the picture at the left would help since it doesn't really add anything to the image. Also perhaps a different perspective could add some drama to the photo.

I do like the way the rider and the bike line up, I think that parallel look adds interest. I also think that the location is good, with richer colors in the water it might pop more especially because the bike would likely reflect the colors tying the image together nicely.

Overall it is a good shot, just needs a little extra something to it. I gave a 4.

Gettin' It Right
by spreadcom

Comment:
I really enjoy the bold golden color of this image. The metal has a nice warm tone to it that really draws my eye.

There is also an interesting contrast to the image with the silent, unmoving cymbals versus the high energy of the hands. I'm not sure if this is a detriment or not, as I find the composition of the photo focused on the cymbals to have a very classy look, yet the action of the hands does draw my eyes away from that. Its a toss-up.

Fits the challenge perfectly. The border is nice, does give a feeling of keeping the eye in, it may be a little too thick though.

I think the lighting is good, again color and tone are good as well. I like just about every aspect of the image, but I am still a bit leery of the moving hands. Gave a 6.

My favourite pastime
by mijak

Comment:
Tone choice is nice, looks good in black and white.

I find the most compelling portion of the image to be the design of the chess pieces. To that end I think a DOF that showed all of the pieces in detail would be preferrable to the single chess piece. I catch myself straining to try and make out exactly what the other pieces look like. Perhaps if the focused piece were a bit more central it'd make a difference in my perspective.

Speaking of perspective, I do like the feeling that I'm inside the game with pieces all around, much better than if you'd simply gone for the full chess board shot that is done often.

Over all a fairly clean image, could use something to make it pop a bit more, though I'm not sure what. 6

A Magazine in the Waiting Room
by Keith Maniac

Comment:
Fantastic overall sharpness, tonality is great as well.

Very nice in black & white. Gives a boost to the starkness you typically find in a waiting room.

Light is wonderful, a bit bright over by the woman, but I think that helps focus your attention on her more than detracting.

Fits the subject very well. I really like the cleanliness of the image. 9.