Seljalandfoss Waterfall, Iceland
by Chris_Ang

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that makes a significant contribution to the challenge.

Good old Iceland! Another lovely landscape from this wonderful part of the world that has been well composed. I won̢۪t labour the point but my main criticisms would be those already expressed about sharpening and saturation. I always fid it quite intriguing just how powerful and dominant a colour red is! The two people to the right and the smaller one a little higher up they really draw the eye, I think there would be a strong argument for some desat at least on the two. Apart from this Chris you have a lovely image that has been well received by your viewers, congrats on making the front page.

Proto-chili
by clickodak

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that meets the challenge.

A great concept, well executed Marcel. The fiery red of the chili jumps out from the dark bean background which in itself adds to the culinary fell of the image is a whole. I like your diagonal composition this adds a real dynamism to the shot. The lighting is good, giving nice detail to the beans but really making the chili stand out well, the water, cliched as it is, undeniably helps too. This is gonna look really good in your kitchen, well done.

Hotels
by gintay

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that meets the challenge.

Simple? Well yes, I think it works quite well in a simplistic way though not necessarily minimalist way Gin Tay, which may or may not, be relevant to what you were aiming to achieve. I like it, it works quite well but I̢۪m wishing we didn̢۪t have the edge of the board the way we do. I̢۪m seeing a closer composition from the soft focus corner to the focus where it is on the red hotels with the car still out of focus but there is nothing but monopoly board. I don̢۪t know if this would have been possible but it would have made me feel much more in monopoly land concentrating on those reds.

Aythya americana
by hahn23

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that meets the challenge.

I do agree Richard, that is definitely a red in my book too. However, the dominant colour here is the blue, its the first thing that hit me because it is spread throughout the image and whilst reds are normally so powerful in attracting your attention, the red here is secondary to the blues. In itself it is a lovely image, well executed with nice sharpness where its needed on the ducks eyes. I like the DOF and the nice soft foreground and background but I would prefer a less central composition, a diagonal using one of the hotspots would have greatly improved the end result. The standards of the rest of the entries need to be high to justify the placingâ€Â¦? I've only just seen dtremain's comment, I agree.

Snow Storm
by clickodak

Comment:
Well done Marcel. A perfect representation of the challenge brief. Wow, look at those ribbons lining up, star pupil...

The Barn
by Ja-9

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that does not meet the challenge

I̢۪m sorry Janine but I have to agree with Mike here, given the nature of the challenge, in my mind this is a long way from minimalist. You have found an appealing landscape and stamped your usual authority on it, there are no problems technically although the blues feel a little too strong they could do with pulling back a little. Obviously I don̢۪t know what the rest of your scene was like but if you could have taken this from further away with the buildings much more insignificant then I think this would have come nearer to the challenge brief but even then that sky is very busy. The small galvanised shed on its own in the distance as a focal point would be much nearer to my idea of minimalist.

World-weary heart
by snaffles

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image the meets the challenge well

A lovely find for the subject Susan. The natural heart shape fits the challenge brief perfectly. The lighting is good bringing out the delicate details well. I like the diagonal of the heart that you have chosen for your composition. There is a little background distraction but it is not significant enough to adversely affect the end result. I hope your own romance is still thriving?

Gotcha
by Phocal

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes well to the challenge

Perhaps not ruckus in the strictest sense of the word but this certainly captures a moment of conflict as detailed in the description. A great capture Ronnie, the timing is good and the poor crawfish̢۪s demise is perfectly illustrated. The water drops add a dynamic to the moment. I do feel there seems to be a bit of over saturation it detracts somewhat, the colours throughout would benefit from some subtle desat.

Let the Eyes Do the Talking
by riot

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes well to the challenge

Another very appealing animal eyes study Eugene. If I hadn’t already seen ‘stray’ I would probably be more impressed with this but of the two I prefer the other. As you say, the DOF is probably a tad too shallow but I am not too bothered about the nose it’s the eyes themselves that I’m referring to. The lower half of the eyes is not as bright and sharp as the tops, this is a little detrimental to the end result. I do love all the soft focus areas, in particular his lovely soft ears but I also like the abstract quality of his rear end.

Care for a Lollipop
by gintay

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes well to the challenge

What a great creative entry Gin Tay, very appealing. However, I have to agree with Mike as indeed I think you do too, his comments are constructive. I do like your choice of subject it makes for a wonderful abstract that is full of dynamic energy. With the suggested cropping you have a unique and dynamic image that would grace any wall, well done.