the Boss
by jmritz

Comment:
...of what, his caged domain?

This picture has strong technical and artistic merits. The focus, tonal range, clarity, sharpness, and detail are excellent. The angle, crop, and subject's expression is very interesting.

Unfortunately, I cannot see a connection with the challenge theme. Sorry.

Remember 1939-1945
by simbamba

Comment:
This photo does not readily make a strong connection with the challenge theme, perhaps more of a symbolic link. This entry has many strong points, especially artistically and technically. The foreground subjects are adequately in focus, and display good detail. There is good tonal range with interesting shadows. The crop and point of view is good and there is a harmony of proportions to my eye.

This photo would probably have been stronger in a challenge called "Remembrance".

Demanding your presence
by panoramix

Comment:
Connection with challenge theme: strong, obvious, concrete.

Technical: No glaring deficits. The focus, detail, tonal range, and color are adequate.

Artistic: Here's where I would deduct some points. Overall I think you chose a strong subject for this entry, as the beckoning finger has obvious implied authority. I feel though that the white backdrop and tight crop of the hand does not have enough visual impact. Perhaps if you told more of the story, by including a face, or a second subject who is on the receiving end of the finger, this entry would draw more interest.

Overall a good photograph on technical merits.

Big Daddy
by alphakappa

Comment:
Connection with challenge theme: low, symbolic, concrete.

Technical:
(+) focus, tonal range of midtones and shadows, cropping.
(-) some loss of detail on the cacti, blown out sky.

Artistic:
I think the overall composition is to the point you are conveying (concrete vs abstract). You chose a rather interesting take on this challenge. I disagree with utilizing these two particular cacti as symbolic of 'father figure' authority. Perhaps if that 'big daddy' was spanking junior, or displaying a gesture of authority, your interpretive entry would hold more strength.

Overall: Your symbolic yet concrete entry is not readily a display of authority, and thus the connection with theme is rather low. There are some technical details which detract from the overall merits of this photo, and points were accordingly taken. Your entry has strengths which may have been better utilized in a different challenge.

Recommendations: Take care not to blow out highlights...utilize all areas of the photo to its greatest potential, unless you are blowing out highlights as an artistic gesture. Stronger sharpening may have brought out more details. This entry would be stronger in a challenge called "Sympathy".

"He's always watching"
by jmassung

Comment:
Nice saturation of colors. Soft focus, but along with the warm lighting gives this a characteristic mood. Overall a good entry.

The challenge allows you to make use of 640 pixel dimensions...gives the image more visual impact to make full use of the allowance.

Lost in Time
by kirbic

Comment:
Connection with challenge theme: apparent, symbolic, concrete.

Technical merits: Focus is inadequate, and slightly overexposed. Color is somewhat problematic with a strong reddish cast in the shadows and greenish cast in the highlights. Shadows lack detail due to overwhelming dynamic range.

Artistic merits: Couple conveys your message very well. Some unnecessary and distracting elements in the framing to the left and uppermost edge. I think a different angle may have served you better.

Overall: I like your approach (concrete symbolic) to this challenge theme. The execution was somewhat flawed on technical grounds, as well as artistic grounds as outlined above and points were taken from both arenas.

ZiP!
by jmlelii

Comment:
Connection with challenge theme: strong, literal, abstract

Technical merits: Focused, sharp. Slightly overexposed. Some extraneous detail surrounding the digits detracts.

Artistic merits: Good cropping, and the blue luminescent motion trails add flair. You've taken a literal approach to the challenge theme with an abstract spin.

Overall: This is a rather interesting approach which works fairly well, but some points were taken for technical reasons as outlined above.

Winter Migration
by GeneralE

Comment:
Not quite sure of the connection with the challenge theme.

Concerning the technical merits of this photo: The lights are quite a blur and appear haphazard and the subejct is not readily discernable (translation: what am I looking at here?). Whatever this photograph is portraying, the focus appears to be good and the image has adequate sharpness. This is overall much too abstract and while I like abstract, there has to be a certain level of "frame of reference" upon which the viewer can make a judgement. Sorry.

Tender Moments
by crabappl3

Comment:
This photograph fares well on technical merits: the focus, tonal range, detail, and post processing is good.

What is not readily apparent is the connection with the challenge theme. Perhaps this would have been better served in a different challenge.

Pyramids of Egypt
by rami

Comment:
Wonderful detail and tonal range in the foreground subject and pyramid/hills. The sky is very bright however, although I can make out details in the sky, which could have been brought out by applying a gradient mask. The soft focus effect adds a nice touch.

What is not readily apparent to me is the connection with the challenge theme. Perhaps this camel is taking a short rest, to pass the time...I'm not sure.

Overall, the photograph is wonderful for it's technical merits and I especially like the location. However, I feel this photo would have been better in a different challenge theme.