Sleepy Daddy
by Phocal

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes well to the open study challenge

A great image Ronnie, the concept and execution is original and effective. I like the use of the diagonal for the 'gator it makes for a more dynamic result. The minimal profile of the animal is sufficient to recognise what it is but too little to dominate it makes for a very effective slice and a strong focal point. I like it a lot, well done Ronnie

Breacking the rule of thirds
by clickodak

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that meets the challenge

A lovely composition that works in its own way. What makes this scene work so well is the splash of strong colour against the muted colours of the rest of the scene. If we assume that you have most of the plant holder, moving it further to the right would have conformed with the RoT but this is a good example of where the rule can be effectively broken. Because the rest of the plant holder is missing it leaves a sense of mystery. Also, the strong diagonals of the shadows splits the frame in a dynamic way again adding interest and impact to the end result. Nice one Marcel.

Impending Storm ~ Centered Horizon, Taking Your Gear Into The Elements
by Ja-9

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that meets the challenge

You have captured the moment well, you can feel the fury building. I like your mono presentation it adds to the drama of the scene. The lack of clarity in the seascape also adds impact but with sufficient sharpness in the building to add a contrasting balance. It looks as though the elements got to the left of your lens fulfilling the second part of your title! I wonder what an abstract with the lens covered in a similar way would have looked like?

Don't Center Your Subject
by Phocal

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that meets the challenge

Oh, is that poor animal still going through that nightmare? Well you certainly managed to get up close and personal during this encounter didn't youâ€Â¦? Your title suggests the way in which you intended to fulfil the challenge brief though I have to agree with some of your commenters perhaps overexposure may have been more appropriate. As such, I have to assume your overexposure was unintentional and whilst it gives good detail of the poor turtle the rest of the image has suffered as a result. Although this is still an amazing image your other is the piece de resistance.

Osprey with half-eaten fish
by RulerZigzag

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that meets the challenge well.

A good documentary style of nature image that records the osprey and its half eaten prey well. `in terms of photographic appeal I feel it is rather too central, it may have increased its impact to place the bird nearer one of the hotspots especially against the rather boring sky which obviously you had no control over. Also, the upright of the tree is rather too close to the birds face it forms a sort of block towards the free space on its left. I tend to agree with neats comments, nevertheless a pleasing entry, thanks Anton.

Defender
by JuliusSart

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that meets the challenge well.

The composition is good with the goose obviously the main subject in a pleasing scene. What lets it down is that the focus point is actually behind the goose and given the challenge it is essential that it it should be in focus. I think you may well have had it in focus initially but in advancing towards you the focus has remained where it was, rendering the goose out of focus. Its a shame because this has probably impacted upon the end result but it remains an interesting entry, thanks Julius.

Circle of Life
by Phocal

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that meets the challenge well.

I'm so pleased you have triumphed in this challenge in what is your genre Ronnie, only you could have done such a good a job of this. What an amazing score for a truly amazing image no wonder it came out tops, thoroughly deserved. Yes, it is graphic, but thats what makes it work so well and whilst one can only feel sympathy for the poor turtle that is nature and the 'circle of life'. Your extensive notes make fascinating reading giving us a real insight into the difficulties you faced and given all that, you did really well. I'm proud of you Ronnie, well done

Stealth ~ Green Heron
by Ja-9

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that meets the challenge well.

An excellent nature study Janine. Lovely sharp critical focus right where it should be, nicely isolated from the soft focus background. Good composition with looking space and nice diagonals of the tree. Good exposure for the bird but its a shame the tree unfortunately has blown highlights. I love the white detail on the edges of the birds wing feathers. All in all, a good image.

Look who I caught playing Round-up
by Cyrilda

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An amusing image that meets the challenge well.

Ah, its great to be a kid again! Your shot demonstrates a great sense of humour and imagination, well done Susie. Quite a bit of effort has gone into creating this humorous scene but also a lot of fun too, I like your carrot hombres with wire arms and legs, tee hee. The one thing that does let it down overall is the right hand side where your background softens to be met by a perfectly focused tree but the important ting here is the concept which works well. Thanks for the laugh...

Artichoke purple
by clickodak

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that meets the challenge well.

Well done in finding this purple artichoke for the challenge it is certainly off colour. I like your composition making use of negative space and further off colour enhancement as against a more normal brown or green of its natural surroundings. I think a bit more DOF to define it against the background may have helped a little, otherwise a good entry Marcel.