amazed
by charliebaker

Comment:
Given your explanation of the process used to created the photo, I would entirely agree with the DQ based on the major element clause. Of what is this is a photograph? Nobody would regard the 20x20 pixel yellow square as the major element. Most people describing the photo would not even mention the yellow square in the middle, but would describe it as a series of black and yellow boxes creating an illusion of depth or an Escher-like optical effect. You have effectively created a major element by your use of repetitive borders.

Please come back!
by TonyT

Comment:
By far the most original image in the challenge. Well done!

Early Morning
by twm122

Comment:
Absolutely lovely. An ethereal feel.

Being and Nothingness
by alfresco

Comment:
I'm glad this one did well. One of my favorites of the challenge.

Complementary Flow
by Neil

Comment:
You was robbed.

Idyll
by violinist123

Comment:
Congrats on your ribbon, great shot!

Birth of a Fire
by freakin_hilarious

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
Good job capturing the spark in this torch lighter. There is detail present down to very tiny sparks and trails in the interior. The longest spark trail pointing off to the right looks a little jaggy though. Controlling exposure must have been tough for a shot like this, and I think you handled it very well.

COMPOSITION
The problem with a shot like this is that the sparks are really all you have. You've chosen to leave in considerable negative space, which I think aids in the composition, but also leaves you vulnerable to voter criticism if your subject is not dynamic and interesting enough. I like the way the metal prongs lead off into nothingness out of the left side of the frame.

EMOTIONAL IMPACT
Though it's a technically well-done and well composed photo, it probably doesn't have enough "wow" factor to excite a high score on DPC. It is different though, and that was probably good enough to lift your score by a half-point or so. Does it excite the viewer and grab the attention? Probably not.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Your commenters certainly liked it well enough. Your final score of 5.4 is about what I would have predicted. I'm even more impressed now that I see you pulled this off with a P&S camera, I had expected some sort of SLR. Very well done!

Hummingbird
by JOHNBOY1970

Comment:
Amazing juxtaposition between the sharpness of the body and the frenetic blur of the wings. Well captured!

Beginning of the End
by Imagineer

Comment:
Superb shot Jon!

Low but not so slow
by Ragga2000

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
Focus is good. Nice clean image overall. LIghting is adequate and, though no detail is lost in the shadows on the underside of the wings and fuselage, it does appear a bit too dark. While the plane itself seems well exposed, the sky and mountain look a little funny. The greenish smudges on the mountain look almost as if they could be an artifact of processing. The sky has a slightly burned look to it. The red of the airplane is nicely handled. Bright red is a problematic color and you've avoided letting it become too saturated. I'm impressed with the detail visible at the forward end of the plane - around the windshield, engines, and wheels.

COMPOSITION
Nice crop on the plane but you're left with a relatively static looking shot of something that cries out for drama and action. For purposes of the challenge, you've clearly frozen the plane but it might have had more impact if you had frozen the props too (is that even possible?? I don't know). Definitely not a bad shot but not one that will inspire much emotion or reaction in the typical viewer. A different angle, for instance with the plan coming more straight on toward the camera, would have added drama.

EMOTIONAL IMPACT
As stated above, not terribly dramatic or provocative. It's a serviceable image and would make a nice stock shot of an airplane. A bit too usual or ordinary.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Your final score of about 5.3 is where I would have predicted. It's a shot that nails the technicals, but lacks the drama or dynamism necessary for a higher scoring challenge shot.