Leo: Most Dominant
by relgraphics

Comment:
From critique club.

I gave this image high score for the interesting idea.

Qualitywise, I wonder why at f=8 the background is so sharp? Also the shadows on the lion are blending with the shadows of the building - this leads to missconception. And finally, I am not too confident in this bronze green - in reality it usually looks differently but I won't insist on that ;-)

The Water Pourer
by Coley

Comment:
From Critique Club.

This is a very good shot with perfect composition, great intriguing light distribution and color range. 'The Water Pourer' is the exact translation of Aquarius zodiac from my native language and I am not sure if 'Water Bearer' really suits the Aquarius. This sign is misterious and sometimes indeciseive which might mean that Aquarius holds the water and promices to spill it, yet never does :o)

I did not rate the image very high just because I prefer more symbolism and abstraction, especially when it comes to zodiacs.

One Sad Fish
by basia03

Comment:
From critique club.

The expression is really sad. The image is not defocused - it's just the fish moving (I think). Too bad that I did not see the author's comment at the voting time. If I knew the reason for 'sadness' I would gave this image higher score.

On the composition I would expect to see the fish eye in the middle of the frame and, probably, some side-lighting to get reflections from the scales, but that's difficult in the restaurant...

Comb & Hair
by Harz_Joerg

Comment:
From critique club.

I gave this image one of the highest scores in the challenge and glad that it did well in the final. Warm, soft mahogany of the comb and live gold of the hair please the eye.

The frame creates the 'zoom' illusion which I think works great here - my compliments.

I was experimenting with my daughter's hair and wooden comb too, but did not get anything acceptable. The birch comb with it's sparkling texture and dark hair looked very cold even with colored lghting. And this rendition I like much more.

My only problem in the end is that hair and comb is too trait theme ;-)

My Inspiration
by goinskiing

Comment:
From critique club.

The gray silouette and the bright colored bulb make a fresh rendition of the symbol for the inspiration and idea.

I would criticize a little the geometric disposition of the figures. According to the saying: "As if the light turned on in my head..." - imagine a light bulb iside the head. Suppose your head as lantern deflector and the neck as the socket. You see? the lamp axis is aligned with the axis of the nexck! Now move the lamp out off the head along the nek's axis and place it 2 inches above the head. That would be perfect perceptual position which would not hurt the eye of the watcher :-))

Also in contrast to the blurry gray intuition and subconscious the idea is bright, distict and sharp - the edges should not be fuzzy-gray.

Sleep tight...
by johnm

Comment:
From Critique Club.

I agree with all good words about this photo by other commenters. The lights on dolls' faces make the look alive and expressions are very intriguing. Everyone has own character and story.

The low score, however, may be explained by questionable composition. The dark spot on the top-right looks unnecessary. The center-bottom - I still can't get what is it - could be little lighter or the light could be distributed more evenly.

Overall nice, abstract and symbolic. Good idea and choice of the title.

Canna flower
by train

Comment:
I like colors very much as well as composition - the center of interest is perfectly positioned and highlited.

Desirable is more detail in the very middle of the flower - you could try framing it at the different zooms and see which would be more distinct. I realize that 2600Z is a very limited device especially hard to use at low light.

The background could be either totally black if it's meaningful(advanced editing?) or have more recognizable light circle cast from the flower which in turn would highlite the flower and make edges glow.

Nice work and a lot of effort is seen!

"Horse people are popular." Gung Hay Fat Choy!
by sfalice

Comment:
From Critique Club.

Funny composition, I gave it +5.

The image overall has uneven light distribution and uneven gold reflection. I would like to see wider DOF but I guess it's impossible at A=16... May be the focus was set incorrectly?

2000: The Year of the Dragon
by Rooster

Comment:
The dragon is ready to fly away, just into the space between clouds, but yet he can fry you if you step forward any further. :-)) The dragon is hot - the sky is cool.

I gave this shot +6 and wonder why did it fall back so much?

The NeoTigers
by vtruan

Comment:
I like the shadows falling forward. How about a tiny glow around the edges of the heads ears?