Chicago
by Drake

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes to the challenge brief well

This certainly fulfils the challenge brief, indeed it is the built environment on a grand scale�! It works especially well having been taken at night it emphasises the scale of the scene. I love the curved horizon, you have used the wide-angle perspective to good advantage and you have given it a good exposure with good detail throughout. Nicely done Drake

Old downtown
by clickodak

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes to the challenge brief well

A pleasing image Marcel. It is clearly evident that you have taken the time and trouble to get symmetry within the scene and it works well for it. I like the inclusion of the person walking towards you it adds the human element which brings the scene alive. Whilst it is a competent recording of the street perhaps a lower viewpoint may have injected a bit more originality and appeal into it.

New York Guide in a single sheet of paper
by clickodak

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes to the challenge

Its a striking, colourful poster you've found here Marcel, there is plenty of interesting detail there. However, in terms of the challenge brief it is hard to identify this as a single sheet of paper, because you have chosen to shoot it full on there is nothing to act as a reference, it could easily be a sheet metal plate. In order to fulfil the brief you would have been better to either screw it up so that creases were clearly evident or to shoot it from an angle where we could see the edges of the poster

Mine.......
by Phocal

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes well to the open challenge

Ooh you little tinker, you threw me there, I thought whose this Phocal, it looks like serious competition to Ronnie�! Who else could it be, it has all your hallmarks of a quality image except as you have already identified for yourself all of which I agree with, sharpness in the beak and prey that would have resulted from a smaller aperture would have made this a winner.

The Scottish Way
by Pangurban

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An image that contributes to the challenge

Your portrait fulfils the challenge brief in that it has been taken in natural light, there are however, a few things that I may suggest as potential improvements. There is a lot of distracting background that competes with the main subject as a result of the chosen aperture which has given you too much DOF. Most good portraits isolate the model from the background through use of (often) maximum aperture, sufficient distance between the subject and the background and by moving in closer to also reduce DOF. The composition is very central, use of thirds would greatly improve impact and also use of landscape orientation would enable you to make more use of the scene to add impact to the end result. I can see that you would want to include his kilt so a cropped composition just above the hem line and just above his head with landscape orientation with him to the left hrizontal third would have greatly improved the impact. Hope this helps a little Ellie, keep at it...

Still can't levitate or sparklefart...*sigh*
by snaffles

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

A fun image that contributes well to the challenge

Oh Susan, you can't levitate or sparklefart? I thought everyone could do that� A great image most amusing, I like the way you've included Alisha from behind, and your envious look up towards Meghann and her self-propelled flight of delight. Keep at it you'll soon be sparkling with the best of 'em...

Iced Gems
by Pangurban

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An image that contributes to the challenge

The way the ice encapsulates the leaves like this is amazing sin't it, I recall a similar experience in Iceland some years ago. To be honest, I think there is rather too much going on here, there is no focal point, I think you would have been better to isolate a smaller part of the image in a macro to emphasis that encapsulation. Also, you remark about your ISO but to be honest with such a small aperture you couldn't have gone too much lower anyway. I always try to avoid using such small apertures to avoid the high ISOs compensation necessary to produce a shake-free image.

Fireworks
by clickodak

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An image that contributes to the challenge well

Nice one Marcel, I like it. My first words as I was scrolling down the image �oh, I like that�, this is a lovely abstract and very fitting for the challenge. Your composition is good using the corner to anchor the cascades of the flower and yes, I can see your 'fireworks' connection. I also like the lighting and the processing, it all hangs together well. Good seeing and execution Marcel, well done.

A morning at -27 degree Celsius
by clickodak

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An image that contributes to the challenge

Ah, the things that have to be done for the sake of our art! It is perhaps understandable given the freezing conditions, that you didn't make more of the scene in front of you even though it is, to be honest, quite an uninspiring vista you have chosen. This country scene is having to do battle with the man-made horizon of the distant city on the left. So, I think a square crop of the right just to the left of the twin trunks makes for a more harmonious image. The other big problem is the lack of contrast, it lacks the impact that could have revitalised it to some extent with whiter snow and darker tree and grasses. If you were to use such a crop the distant vertical structure would need removing too. Never mind Marcel better luck next time...

w i n d s • o f • w i n t e r
by Ja-9

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes well to the challenge

This is a very appealing panorama Janine. Its only when you realise that the mid foreground is actually miniature trees that the grand scale of this vast landscape becomes apparent. The ruggedness of the mountains adds to the grandeur and the sky adds the final touch. Your composition is absolutely appropriate for this magnificent scene, well done Janine