The Calling
by see

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

The color in this image is striking! I love the way the background shapes, lines and colors bring so much energy to this. The expression on the woman's face is interesting and has that candid feel as she seems to be present only in her own moment and thoughts. What lovely contrast between the detail of her face and the blurring of the background! The image seems to demand that the viewer ask who is she and where is she going?

Clearly an urban setting, the inclusion of other people further helps to define the place. But I still find myself wishing that the person to the left of the frame were not quite so prominent since it draws the eye away from the subject.

I see that some of your commentators interpreted the blue object at her neck as a water bottle...but it's not entirely clear to me that it is. It seems possible that it is, instead, a breathing device for a tracheotomy patient. The ambiguity is at first intriguing...then annoying since I can't really tell. It seems that what that is would make a huge difference in interpretation of this subject. So, too, would knowing if she's responding to a "call" or just checking traffic before she crosses the street...but that matters less to me and your title makes me willing to accept her expression as one of response to something other than a passing bus.

Overall, a compelling image because the subject is so strong and presented so well.

Transcendental Reflection
by m_sarzynski

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

First impression, this is a crisp and believably saturated image. The setting is obvious and the subject clear...someone enjoying the outdoors on an overcast day. Well, I think he or she is enjoying it....

Obviously the image was dinged by the DNMC votes. The most likely reason is the setting...though the challenge description gave latitude for non-urban settings I'm sure that many people couldn't get past the concept of "street." But the other part of the description calls for "candid" when a person is involved as the subject. Because the viewer cannot really see the person's expression in the image it is hard to interpret as a candid. So, as some of your commentators mentioned, it might have been more satisfying if some of the face showed.

Technically, this is fairly well handled. The exposure is pleasing. The colors are believable. The DOF separates the subject from the background. There are textures in the clothing that contrast with the softness of the surrounding nature. The horizon seems a little tilted but doesn't stand out, rather it gives a sense of possibly being in a boat. The cropping seems abrupt...a little too little on the left, perhaps, to provide balance for the figure.

On the whole, the purpose of the image is unclear to me. If this is about the person, I feel it lacks a sense of emotion. If about the landscape and a person's involvement with it, then the connection is tenuous...the subject aloof. If it's primarily about the landscape then the figure of the person is too prominent an only seems to obscure the setting.

The Talker
by kellian

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

I like the contrast and tones in this image...they are the first things that make me pause to look. "The Talker" is clearly the subject and the title is aptly chosen. Clearly a candid moment as this man chats with the women...their various expressions re-enforce the theme of the photo.

However, as some of your commentators have mentioned, the image seems to lack the ability to sustain interest...there's little beyond the first impression to compel further engagement with the subject. It's difficult for me to see the "story" in the image. Is he someone who wanders the pier and chats up women or just a blustery uncle with whom the women are losing patience? There are reactions from the women just nothing strong enough to fill out the story, in my opinion.

I feel the background in this image is the largest detriment. There are many background distractions and the blank wall seems to highlight the busy-ness of it all instead of keeping attention in the forefront. The distractions? Woman wandering by; constrasty parked cars one with an elbow jutting from the window; poles, especially the one "growing" from the one woman's head... It would be a stronger image, to me, if the background provided context for the setting...something that indicated the water that surrounds the place or something that hints at the touristy nature of the pier.

Generally I believe your post processing improved the image as best it could. I like the vignetting and the way you've handled the cloudy sky. But, overall, this just seems to be not quite the optimal moment with not the best setting for the event.

Red
by RainMotorsports

Comment:
Way to go! Congrats on your new high score!

yellow.jpg
by dahkota

Comment:
:)

CRW_0017.jpg
by dahkota

Comment:
So that's what that filter does...cool!
Lance looks like part of the sculptural scenery...hmmm...

_MG_92582.jpg
by dahkota

Comment:
Nifty shot! Perspective can make all the difference!

Sound Waves
by Rob O

Comment:
A whisk? Like the abstraction, spirals in the distance are faint and take a minute to register.

Capital Mourning
by khdoss

Comment:
Awesome photo!

The Consumer
by RulerZigzag

Comment:
Interesting setting and idea. I like the perspective lines. Would be a little more interesting if the person were reaching for something rather than just reading the shelf. Color balance feels too far off on the blue side. I'd also prefer seeing the person in focus rather than the cold case at the end of the aisle.