Chicago Architecture
by DigiFotoBuddy

Comment:
I'm guessing this is from the Chicago GTG. ;-) While I like the BW conversation and the composition with the shiny path-wall in the foreground (with great lines receding into the distance), the skyscrapers have an odd distortion to them, as though they're warping to the left. It gives the image a surreal sense of falling over.

Water Colors
by ryand

Comment:
Wonderful variation on a well-tested theme. Your depth is perfect for the shot. There's that magical feeling of spheres floating in space. Well done!

Under the Anvil
by vtruan

Comment:
Awesome storm shot. The clouds have mammatus appearance, and it appears that you used a longish exposure and captured some movement. I'm glad you captured some horizon because it's absolutely essential to add some perspective to any sky shot for a sense of scale. However, I don't think the photo has enough Wow Factor to really drive the score up. Still, good eye for storms. I hope you were safe!

Miss You Grandpa
by Blackbox

Comment:
The simplicity appeals to me very much, but I think the light really makes this shot. Very subtle back lighting adds a beautiful highlight and no detail is lost in the shadows. Very attractive shot!

Backyard Observations
by RulerZigzag

Comment:
Is that an ETX? Is that a cow? I like your idea here but I think you would have done better with a long exposure rather than a flash. He is so illuminated that it looks contrived rather than evoking the wonder of skywatching.

Man...this job sucks
by NstiG8tr

Comment:
Go Milwaukee! Seen this guy before. Great title and choice of crop. I think he was a bit pissed off that day!

Double Spiral
by levyj413

Comment:
Way to go Jeffrey! Beautiful shot!

The Queen's Guard
by Nuzzer

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club
by strangeghost

The first three parts of this critique are written based purely on examination of your photo. "Final thoughts" is written after reviewing your score, photographer's comments, and voter comments.

TECHNIQUE
My first-glance reaction to the technique is WOW. Very nice BW tones, excellent contrast, sky tones, focus, exposure seems perfect. A very clean image. You nailed the technicals. The conversion to BW was handled very well - I'd love to see what method you used. The selective desat looks perfect as well, right down to the tones of the hats, rifles and pants. Even though it looks as if you selected red only, the hats and pants stand out as well because they're the darkest regions of the photo. Excellent job! One could quibble and say that the sky looks like it may have been manipulated a bit (a little dodge/burn?) but I don't take issue with that. It's done very well and greatly compliments the dirty, sooty textures of the buildings.

COMPOSITION
I love the composition - an artistic success! The angles and lines created by the curb, street and buildings makes for a perfect vanishing point centered nearly perfectly on a third. The image is well balanced between foreground subjects and the gradually receding facades. Everything is detailed and sharp. The image provides a wealth of fodder for the wandering eye. The guards are interesting all by themselves because of that reputation for stoic indifference. Your use of desat to highlight them is just genius. Honestly, I can't find anything about the composition that I don't like.

EMOTIONAL IMPACT
Very well done picture, you should be proud to have made it. There is feel of isolation and desolation that is enhanced by the gray tones. Even the colorful subjects don't disturb that sense because they're almost statue-like in their indifference to their surroundings. The only problem with a picture like this is that the measly 640 pixels doesn't begin to do it justice. I long to see this image in a larger format where I could feast upon it for hours! If you don't have a print available of this yet, shame. If you don't have a 16x24 hanging on your own wall, what's wrong with you!?

You can probably guess that I'm liking this shot. It grabs and keeps my attention. It has a subtle "wow" factor that is elusive. It provokes my imagination and makes me want to look and then look more.

FINAL THOUGHTS
I'm gratified to see that this scored high, but disappointed not to see a ribbon beside it. I didn't enter or vote this challenge so I 'm not sure how strong the field was, but your shot is a winner in my book. I don't really "get" the whole tone mapping thing, and many examples I've seen in previous challenges and the forums make me less than excited about the method, but your shot proves the value of this technique.

Well done; superb photograph! Take heed on my comments about the print! I'll buy!

Straight to the Point
by Bugzeye

Comment:
Absolutely awesome dude! I'm insanely jealous that I couldn't make it for this morning shoot. This is an extraordinary pic and deserves its high finish. Now you get the suffer through weeks of the "fourth place blues" (I know, I've been there). Unless of course, there's a DQ upstairs....

venus_moon.jpg
by kenskid

Comment:
I think you're right. Your focus is so good you can just make out that ti's not round!