A new day and few rays of hope
by superdave_909

Comment:
Superb image. The muted colors give it a very relaxing feel. Definitely in the top few - and that's hard in a challnge with so many great entries.

Psst, wanna buy a hat?
by MrAkamai

Comment:
Hi Greg - This post is the result of your request for an in depth critique.

I am a member of the critique club but was NOT assigned this image.

I do have an AA degree in photography and judge photo competitions outside of DPC regularly.

I gave this image a 4 during the extraordinary challenge - which just happens to be the "most popular" score. For me the idea was great but the image itself is very diffuicult to read.

Since you asked for specific points to consider:

a) Lighting: the area of most contrast is on the man's chest and right shoulder - making the eye go there. But when you get there - there's nothing, so you need to explore more. It's better if the highest contrast area is where you want the viewer to "land." It is also very uncomforable for some if the face is difficult to see as this one is.

b) Pose: Both arms and hands are in unusual positions. The right arm is difficult to read as it is shot nearlt "head on." The left ARM looks like it may be in a position of giving you the finger - but of course it's not. The left fingers are chopped off - not a good compositioanl technique.

c) The window frame behind the man's head is a bit detracting.

d) I just asked my wife (a very talented artist) to look at the image. She thought at first glance - that it was a woman's body - because the head was in shadow and the chest area just appeared "womanly."

e) The hat on the right is a bit soft.

I think the biggest "problem" is that you were there, you heard the music and the image brings back those memories. It's much like an ocean scene that when you take it you see the scene, but you also feel the wind on your face and smell the smells so unique to the area.

Film (digital or otherwise) just can not capture smells or sounds just yet.

Another thing we must DPCers must keep in mind is that voters often press the score button very quickly and don't take time to study and appreciate each image. So - the image must be a quick read for higher scores.

Finally, remember the challenge was "Extraordinary" - so many viewers were wanting to be really wowed by somthing exceptional.

But - do NOT let this bother you - we all have peaks and valleys (and I am certainly in the valley category at the moment myself.) Keep shooting, keep submitting, and most importantly - keep having FUN!

-Tom-

Traffic
by banmorn

Comment:
Interesting pattern with super colors.

End of a Revolution
by mariomel

Comment:
Wonderful colors and nice silhouette of the treeline. It's a bit centered - but that seems to work just fine for this scene.

Natural Symmetry
by ellamay

Comment:
Very nice image and reflection. The subtle colors are great.

The Calm After The Storm
by GolferDDS

Comment:
Great capture - placing the rainbow arch over the golf course and buldings works very well.

Some Kind of Wonderful
by artvet

Comment:
Nice composition and exposure. This would also work for the color purple as you know.

Mind Over Matter
by TampaDan

Comment:
Good idea - and very nice submission. It would be more effective if the hand were a bit lower so there was more obvious seperation. Black background was a perfect choice.

Egg-straordinary
by spandev

Comment:
Nice composition - but I don't think you really need the mirror/reflection for this. I'd also rather see more side lighting as the glare on the golden egg does not help. The feather at the bottom does not help the presentation. Black background was a perfect choice.

Approaching the Moon
by laser

Comment:
Excellent lunar shot! Exposure is perfect - composition is also very nice. That ugly blue border should be launched into outer space - never to return!