It's Me Silly!
by permapier

Comment:
Now that's silly! Blown out highlights on the hand really pull the attention away, however. There are distractions in the background as well--but I feel those can be ignored in a candid shot like this.

To Warm Her Heart
by fotomann_forever

Comment:
Sweet and beautiful portrait...I love the expression, the pose, the color in the flowers and sepia--a drama-tic effect. But, oh, if there were just 15 more pixels at the top of the photo so her left eye was not cut off! Hope you attempt this style again--it's fairly unique.

Perplexed
by pidge

Comment:
Beautiful and emotive portrait! Well done!

Alone
by artvet

Comment:
Interesting composition and subject--but the colors just leave me flat. Wish the water was blue.

~Again~
by MamaGould

Comment:
I feel myself being pulled to the reflected face because the expression is so much more pleasing. I have even turned my head upside down to see what this would look like the "wrong" way up. The difference between the two is remarkable--the appearance of boredom vs. a bright and interested expression with strength. Technically perfect--but...I don't know, that main expression just bothers me. I know I'm weird to say it, but a whole series of these would make an interesting set of playing cards--this one, of course, a Jack.

Trees with Snow by the Road
by mystardream

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

A moody image with the wonder of a lightly fallen snow. The branches of the trees outlined with snow gives an interesting texture and dimension to the scene.

The overall composition follows the classic concept of the rule of thirds by allowing the path to end off center. The path itself provides an appropriate entry to the scene. There are, however, a few distractions (as noted by some of your commenters. The drainage grates could have been eliminated so they would not conflict with the lines of the walkway. The parked cars demand attention because of their detail and so take away from the rest of this quite composition competing with the detail in the brances.

The exposure has the range of detail one expects but the scene feels a little too grey. In scenes like this, I strive to achieve the full range of tones from a true black (which you have here) to a true white--the snow should be, in my opinion, truely white. A little adjustment of the levels (contrast) could achieve this.

Overall, a fine composition that lacks that final "punch" to make it a winner. (As far as the challenge of a "tribute," the commenters made clear that they did not understand who you were trying to emulate--I'm sure that hurt your scores. As for Ansel, it's just not the subject matter he shot--snow, yes...suburban scenery, not so sure.)

Keep shooting!
--Kadi

Trees with Snow by the Road
by mystardream

Comment:
--first CC comment didn't seem to register
--Kadi

Message edited by author 2006-02-05 15:12:45.

TITA
by M&M

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

A fine image of a beautiful woman...not quite hang-on-the-wall portrait quality though.

Several of your commenters mentioned the distracting background and I agree. There's just too much information behind your subject to prevent my attention from wantering. I think it would be possible to correct that with some post-process editing by choosing one of the neutral colors (the off-white, perhaps) and filling the background with it.

The lighting does appear a bit flat. It appears you may have used the on-camera flash. This would help illuminate the face but because of its straight on orientation it also flattens out the shadows that help shape the face's features. The pinpoint of light in the center of the pupils also bothers me. I think it draws the wrong kind of attention to the eyes. Using an off-camera flash (just something on a flash bracket) would help avoid these objections. Alternatively, you could keep the flash off and pose your subject near a light source positioned behind your right or left shoulders (off to one side, slightly).

The range of tones, the exposure, the color...all natural and pleasing. The expression on the subject's face seems half-way between emotions, however. I feel that exceptional portraits do more than record the features of a subject, the give us an idea of the person's state of mind, mood, or personality.

Overall, a good study. Keep shooting!
--Kadi

Tribute to Ski Photographer/Film Maker Warren Miller
by deepfrog17

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

An interesting image of a crashing skier whose fate is uncertain. Strong composition--the subject is well placed, the diagonals add energy. The tonal range is pleasing although, like one of your commenters mentioned, I prefer to see a little more depth--perhaps if the blacks on the skier were just a bit stronger it would add a bit more power to the subject which is small relative to the frame. There is much to like about this image and the voters must agree given the scores you received. It seems to need something to push it over the slightly above average range, however. As for the tribute subject I'm not familiar enough to be of much help--a quick peek at the website provided by one of your commenters seems to reveal a higher-contrast style in color...but your expression has its own presence. Overall, a difficult subject well captured. Keep shooting.
--Kadi

Kip's Barn
by eqsite

Comment:
Hi, Gary! Guess what? I entered Kip's Barn, too! (I'm guessing this is yours since I don't think OdysseyF22 shot from this angle...forgive me if I'm wrong.)

Love the reflection in this! We really had the sky on our side and you captured the blue-black drama of it all! Good luck in the challenge!