They Had to Start Somewhere (AKA Light 15)
by Bearded_dop

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes to the challenge

Well done for looking up, too few of us observe the potential above us. The dominant blacks intersected by the irregular whites of these snow covered wires is very striking and effective. In respect of the challenge brief the ‘vanishing point’ is not obvious in any traditional sort of way which probably accounts for a lower than deserved score. Personally, I think a square crop, excluding the bulb and the right where the looped wire starts would have given your shot a lot more impact. Have a good festive season, I look forward to more creative images from you in the coming year.

Vanishing Point Tunnel
by clickodak

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

A very appealing image that contributes well to the challenge

Excellent image Marcel, truly fulfils the challenge brief. I like your decision to invert the composition to create an image that is much more unique and therefore appealing. You have managed to create some good symmetry here, with lovely reflections. I don̢۪t know if that is a figure with a red backpack in the distance but because it is not so clear it is marring the end result instead of adding impact as it would if it were more obvious. It serves as an excellent example of just what a dominant colour red is! Have a lovely festive time, I look forward to more creative images from you in the New Year, good luck.

The Road is Long
by riot

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes well to the challenge

Another demonstration of dedicated effort to produce a very pleasing image that pushes technique to the limits, well done Eugene. The end result is very pleasing though there is much less red on the near carriageway than I would have expected, the golds are pleasingly dominant. Unfortunately, the banding in the sky is clearly evident to the detriment of the overall result but ignoring that it remains a credit to your efforts. Have fun with that lens, I look forward to more astounding images from you and have a fun festive time.

Selenium II
by riot

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

A pleasing image that contributes well to the challenge

Thanks once more for your very detailed and helpful notes that give an insight into your technique and help appreciate the image in a more understanding way, although obviously your voters don̢۪t have this same advantage as I do. I don̢۪t know how you feel about the end result but I think your commenter has summed it up well really. It is certainly a well executed image in as far as it goes but given the nature of the subject and being a free study it was probably never destined for stardom (pun intended!). I think you probably got more pleasure in rising to the challenge and honing your shooting and processing skills? Thanks for your entry Eugene.

My son in the style of Dorothea Lange
by clickodak

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes well to the challenge

I am not familiar with this image from her portfolio so thanks for exploring and giving us your own interesting interpretation of this great photographer who made such an important contribution to social documentary. I like your image a lot, the execution is very good, your lighting is nice and even, the DOF is perfect for the unusual pose and the focus is perfect, all goodâ€Â¦ The only minor constructive comment I can make is that the two light setup reflected in your son’s eyes looks unnatural and may be better cloned out. All in all a great portrait, and as noted, a son to be proud of, thanks for your entry Marcel.

Dancing in air
by RulerZigzag

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes to the challenge

A documentary style image that accurately records this magnificent bird in hovering flight with good detail throughout. As far as it goes it is well executed but there are a few things I feel would have improved the image to take it from a static record shot to something a bit more dynamic. I feel it is rather too closely cropped, and waiting for a flap of the wings with a slower shutter speed would have injected a sense of motion into it, particularly in relation to the challenge brief too. I always feel diagonals work well and particularly here to see the wings spread diagonally would have made the composition far more interesting. Perhaps some desat on the blue to reduce its impact would help a little too. There is still good detail in the bird at this exposure though perhaps just a 1/3 stop more exposure may have benefited. Thanks for your entry Anton.

Steindl's Staircase
by riot

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes well to the challenge

Difficult to imagine a more appropriate image for the challenge brief. What a magnificent place it forms a wonderful setting to those impressive stairs. I can relate to your sense of frustration with the slight imperfections that you have mentioned in your write up, whenever you are trying to get a perfect symmetry it mostly eludes to a greater or lesser extent but none of this is detrimental to the end result. Your question about the processing, well the high score and result is probably the best answer to that so well done for entering it.

Escalator side view
by clickodak

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes to the challenge

The coloured glass panels make for an interesting scene with the different coloured buildings seen through the glass. The image is certainly very colourful and all the better for including the people and in a position that works with the diagonal of the escalator. The image̢۪s appeal and interest doesn̢۪t really extend much beyond what we have here it doesn̢۪t really make you linger. In my mind̢۪s eye I̢۪m seeing a very creative opportunity for a unique abstract by placing the camera on the escalator handbelt with a 30s exposure and travelling up with it through the different coloured panels, if you are able to try it I would love to see the end result...

Great Horned Owl
by RulerZigzag

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

A very appealing image that contributes well to the challenge

What an unexpected find for you in the middle of the city, no wonder you were surprised, I assume these are not naturally resident in such a built up area could it be an escaped tamed bird, perhaps a local falconer̢۪s escapee? Anyway, you have managed to get plenty of detail into the birds plumage as a result of significant overexposure, I would say in fact a little too much. The blown whites of the background sky are dominating the image to the extent that it actually makes me feeling like squinting my eyes to counteract the sheer brightness. The owl itself lacks contrast again through this significant overexposure, I feel it all needs pulling back to ease off the effect but obviously the blown sky will remain the same regardless. To summarise well done for looking up and finding this lovely bird, shame about the exposure...

Yesterday
by snaffles

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

A very appealing image that contributes well to the challenge

What a lovely ‘ossâ€Â¦ That probably sounds disrespectful it’s not intended to but it sums up my knowledge of horses, I’ve never even heard of Appaloosas so thanks for broadening my edifercation. She’s a gorgeous looking gal portrayed to good advantage with your lovely image. I like your composition, this sort of stance with her looking sideways over her flank always works well. Unfortunately, I have to agree with Eugene, it does look like three lines of poorly executed cloning done from one side to the other, presumably removing an obstructive fence rail? If this is so, I’m very sorry but I have to reprimand you once again! It is to the serious detriment of an otherwise lovely horse portrait.