Night Sky Reflections
by MacDonald

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club
by strangeghost

The first three parts of this critique are written based purely on examination of your photo. I don't read your photographer's comments, or your voter comments, until I've finished the first three sections. "Final thoughts" is written with your score, comments, and voter reaction in mind.

TECHNIQUE
I find this a very difficult photo to critique. I studied it for a full minute or two and still couldn't tell exactly what I was looking at, even after reading your description. It wasn't until I copied it to a picture viewer and rotated it 180 deg that I had my "ah ha" moment. I could tell, of course, that those were clouds but couldn't interpret the reflected creek part that was at the top. Technical issues? Well, much of the photo is completely dark, and the illuminated parts have significant overexposure. That's a lot of dramatic contrast in an image that is otherwise difficult to decipher. It makes for a bit of an abstract, which I'm guessing the average voter, like me, was left a bit stymied.

COMPOSITION
Now having had some time to really look at this photo, I can't understand why you rotated it. The instant recognition that it conveys unrotated - it's clearly a small channel of very calm water reflecting a dramatic sky - becomes confusing and unclear upside down. Given that you named your photo "night sky reflections" it seems you might have shot yourself in the foot by rotating it. Maybe others didn't have the difficulty I did recognizing the scene, but I was quite thrown off by it. If your purpose was abstract, than you probably would have chosen a different title, no?

EMOTIONAL IMPACT
As you've probably guessed, my primary response to this photo was more one of confusion than emotion. I had the benefit of studying it for a critique; I wonder if the typical voter gave it enough time to really "see" it. In a challenge of 600 plus, I'd think not.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Let me say first of all that I hugely appreciate the fact that you left a photographer's comment initially, and then came back and left a more detailed "post-mortem" comment after the challenge. Reading your comments now - as well as the voters comments - helps me to understand your motivation. Your original, unrotated and unprocessed image contains significant detail in the sand that was lost in the final edit. In your post-processing (curves??) I would have tried to preserve some of that detail. Clearly your commenters liked the image more if they appreciated its abstract nature, and less if they were confused by the orientation or context. Your final score of 5.4 doubtless reflects that confusion in their minds. I agree with those who thought it would have scored better unrotated. Still, I admire your experimentalism. Keep shooting, this was an interesting photo and I enjoyed studying it for this critique!!

Pensionable
by messerschmitt

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club
by strangeghost

TECHNIQUE
My only technical quibble is that it appears a bit dark, even on my Usually-Too-Bright LCD monitor. I probably looks a bit darker still on most CRTs. Not bad mind you, there's detail in all the darker areas, and the dark tones give it a great earthy feel that goes well with the composition. Focus is excellent, great depth, colors muted earth-tones. I can't tell for sure how it was lit (and unfortunately, you've left no photographer's comment at all to help me out) but the subject and the machinery are well lit.

COMPOSITION
I've studied this image for several minutes now and I really like your composition, though I feel it could have been stronger. You've captured the wonderful textures of the building: the timbers in the ceiling, the dirty/rocky floor, the brick wall, farm machinery, even the rust on the wheels. Likewise, the man - from his lined, character-filled face to his jacket, shirt, pants and shoes - looks like he was born to pose this shot. The shot has a very balanced look too, but I think you might have angled for a closer crop. Maybe just one or two steps in. A little less floor and ceiling, though keep enough to save that delicious flavor of barn or farm workshop. In my imaginable mind's eye, I even see a closer aspect on his face, with your room composition in the background. Still, I hope you're getting the impression that I liked this composition, because I did; very much!

EMOTIONAL IMPACT
Quite a great picture, to be sure. Your title suggests that we have two aging derelicts, put out to pasture. As suggested above, I'd have liked to seen a more aggressive emphasis on the man. As cool as the machinery is, HE is the subject. His face is the subject. What's he thinking about. What mood and emotion are you trying to evoke? A tighter shot on his lined and pained face might have made for a whopper of a pic. As it is, it's good, but falls short of that timeless quality that pokes and prods at the viewer.

Final Thoughts
Looking over your score and comments, it seems as though those who bothered to comment liked the shot (though one did mention the darkness). Your post results commenter (Joey) seemed to love the shot as much as I did. Your final score of nearly 6 is respectable, but perhaps would have been driven higher had your subject been prominent enough to forge that emotional connection. I repeat that it is very helpful for the critiquer if you leave some of your own thoughts and comments on the picture as well. IMO, there is simply no reason not to, especially if you are asking for a critique. Likewise the technical info. I'd have loved to know, when looking at the technical elements of your photo, what shutter speed and aperture you used.

This is an amazing shot and I'm honored to have had a chance to study it closely. Well done!

The walker
by TUBORG

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club
by strangeghost

TECHNIQUE
Focus is excellent with a very deep depth that landscapes demand. There is a harshness to the man (especially his face) that seems almost oversharpened, but it lends a sense of unreality to the image. The lighting and exposure are excellent. The colors are a bit muted, other than the golden hue of the grass and mountains. The blue-gray of the sky is outstanding. Technically excellent other than the possibility of a bit too much USM.

COMPOSITION
I love the composition. The landscape itself is very nicely done - misty and foreboding. The man and the broken down building add a sense of mystique to the image, as does the more distant building. The foreground grass is almost close enough to touch, and the distant mountains are partially shrouded in mist. An excellent composition.

EMOTIONAL IMPACT
Overall, I'd say it's an image that makes a significant impact. It raised many questions in my mind and begs my eyes to go over and over again, looking for additional hints. It does not disappoint. As I study it, I keep finding elements I hadn't noticed before (it was a full minute before I noticed the second building in the distance). Truly a memorable picture.



As always in photos like this, I'm enormously disappointed that you did not include a photographer's comment. It is much easier to critique an image if one is given a glimpse of the photographer's intent. Absent that, I see that most commenters really liked your pic, as I did, though many commented on "over processing" or too much USM. Your final score of 5.7 feels a little disappointing to me, and must have to you also. It likely would have scored higher if it didn't have that too-sharp feel.

Nicely done. I enjoyed the chance to study this image closely.

Orbit
by Cutter

Comment:
An amazing score for a shot with so few comments! You really had them stumped. I didn't get to vote on this challenge but stumbled on your shot in the astro gallery. Quite nice! I'd like to see a "normal" shot of this light. Kudos to you for finding this opportunity!

Flight
by jemison

Comment:
This shot has it all Bill, great job. Congrats!

Cancer
by sarrobi

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club
by strangeghost

TECHNIQUE
Focus is excellent with a very neat sharpness zone and softly out of focus in both background and foreground, gently drawing attention to your very bold subject. The droplets of water on the rocks are a very nice touch but make for a little bit of a dirty feel at the front left, not a problem though. The textures are interesting and have a wild feel, as though the creature was caught in its natural habitat (was it?). The exposure is great - just a little loss of details in the shadows but the highlights are managed perfectly. The colors of the crab pop beautifully and contrast nicely with the surrounding rocks. Technically, a great shot!

COMPOSITION
I think the composition is perfect. The centeredness of the subject works great. I wish I could see more the crab's legs, but again, it feels very natural that we can't since he seems to be going about his business, not necessarily posing for your camera. The angle his body and legs make with your composition/crop is excellent. A squared "face on" shot would not have worked nearly as well, IMO. As it is, it feels very natural for the eye to wander around the diagonals and go from creature to rock to water droplets and back again. This is a beautifully simple composition that focuses the attention where you want it to be, without distractions or unnecessary elements.

EMOTIONAL IMPACT
It's a beautiful image that has a lot of pure eye attraction due to the colors, the dof, etc. as mentioned above. Since the challenge was "signs," I'm sure you left some of the voters scratching their heads for a moment or two, but your title should dispel any doubts at all. I imagine that you were one of a few photographers who ventured outside the box, but still managed to find a hook to the challenge that most voters were able to swallow. To me, this image has a lot of appeal because it is so well done technically and because it's interesting to boot. Those eyes are amazing (I think that's the right one bulging out there on the left side). Well, people got it AND liked it. You can't go wrong if you reach the voters to that extent. Your final score of 6.3 was pretty good, and indicates that people appreciated your efforts, as did I. Excellent image and one I definitely enjoyed the chance to study for this critique!

Moonlight Sonata
by kirbic

Comment:
Shots like this make me crazy. Can such talent really exist? Can you really capture a shot like this? Yes you can. I'm guessing this was moonlit, and I'm suspicious that I know the photographer too. Whatever, this is a stunner. One of my few 10s for this challenge. I'll be looking this one up right after voting ends - if it's not already on the front page, of course...

Harley fan
by GinaRothfels

Comment:
I'm blown away. I can scarcely find the words. The unbelievable tonal range, the incredible detail in the highlights and shadows, the texture that almost makes this shot feel 3D. My hat is off. My only 10 of the challenge so far.

Approaching Storm
by dsidwell

Comment:
Wow. Quite an excellent landscape. I can almost feel the hair on my neck standing up as the storm approaches. The green tones are lovely. This would make a wonderful print. The detail in larger formats must be exquisite.

Lighthouse
by juanrios

Comment:
Spectacular. The sky gradient is perfect and the tree fronds are unbelievably sharp and detailed, even at that distance. Welcome!