Child's Play in the Window Light
by gipper11

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that meets the challenge well

Lovely effective use of available light with an interesting and original composition that works well against the dark background. The subtle but sufficient light from the right serves well to avoid the dark shadows that would result from the main window alone. The inclusion of the blocks is both clever and effective in revealing the light through its varying shades and colours.

It surprises me it didn't score higher, I think it all works very well to make best use of the available light, well done Larry.

Working it out
by snaffles

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that meets the challenge well

A very accomplished self portrait Susan, you've made great use of that lovely bulls-eye window. I like the way the light emphasises your face and arms with the sudden transition from light to dark around the neck and arms. With your use of mono, there is a lovely full range of tones throughout, I like the way the darker tones are at the lower half of the frame blending into a firm dark base. Your choice of pose works well avoiding the problems you anticipated and yes, showing your lovely figure off to our delight, you really are in excellent shape, go easy on the sirop d'erable!

I haven't seen the other entries but I am surprised this didn't score higher. Nice to see you proudly sporting your Canadian top Susan.

m a j e s t i c
by Ja-9

Comment:
Hello from the Critique club

An excellent image that meets the challenge well

Its a funny old challenge this, I don't know how the voters decide what is the broken rule and how they react to it, positive or negatively in their scoring. Anyway, you have a great landscape that has been enhanced by the broken rule in such a way that it is perfectly believable, we've all seen this sort of sky at some time. I like your mono processing there is a wide range of tones. I think it should have scored better than this but this is obviously due to the nature of the challenge itself.

Thank you for your entry.

GBH
by Phocal

Comment:
Hello from the Critique club

An excellent image that meets the challenge well

I can understand and relate to your comments wholeheartedly, I am equally confused by the voters reaction having just commented an image that scored a lot higher than yours and yet this both in terms of the challenge and the image itself is the better image in my opinion. You've certainly filled the frame well here and you've nailed the sharp focus that is essential for this type of image. Your manipulation of the image with the canvas is only faintly evident with the benefit of your description which, of course, the voters don't have the benefit of. The difference in the canvas part is such that it would be perfectly acceptable in an original image. I love the twin shadows from his crest on the back of hos neck, I think you've made an excellent job of everything about the image and I commend you.

Thank you for your entry.

Posing for the USPS
by Drake

Comment:
Hello from the Critique club

An interesting image that does not meet the challenge

I am assuming that the 'broken' advanced editing rule is your cloning as described in your description but this is allowable in the rules so it is not broken. If that is not the case then it is not obvious to me, or indeed, your voters what rule has been broken. Having said that it is has placed and scored very respectably. In terms of the image itself I seem to find myself repeating myself in that I like to see an element of animation through motion blur and there is evidence of over-sharpening, these are both aspects that I know I have commented on before. I really don't want to give a negative impression with regard to your otherwise excellent eagle images but I have to be honest with both of us.

Thank you for your entry.

Follow the Light Path
by clickodak

Comment:
Well done Marcel! What an excellent result and what an excellent image, thoroughly deserved. As Sue says, it is all down to your efforts and your willingness to respond to constructive criticism in order to improve your results, I also am very proud of you very well done Marcel. First of many more to come...

Two surfers in paradise
by sfalice

Comment:
Hello from the Critique club

An appealing image that contributes well to the free study

That looks a very challenging environment with all those rocks, your viewpoint makes that element of it really work, as opposed to an open sea image of two surfers you get a sense of the danger of their surroundings. Your timing is good with both surfers captured in action and appearing to be in control. The spray off the surf adds to the overall feel you can hear the noise and smell the brine in the air. A very dynamic shot that has been well executed. You could argue that the contrast and brightness could have been raised but I prefer it the way it is it makes the important parts of the image, the surfers and spray stand out more effectively

Well done and, thank you for your entry.

Storm over the Towola Dunes
by Catherine_B

Comment:
Hello from the Critique club

An appealing image that contributes well to the free study

I can see what attracted you to take this image. I like your composition and DOF which give emphasis on the foreground dunes. The textures and colours are all very appealing, there is lots of interesting colour and texture to be soaked up here. Even the sky in the background adds an interesting touch of drama to the scene though the exposure of the clouds is close to overexposed I think you have kept it within its limits with detail still held.. All in all, a lovely image

Well done and, thank you for your entry.

Grabbing Some Lunch
by TommyMoe21

Comment:
Hello from the Critique club

An appealing image that contributes well to the free study

A great action shot that is I suspect the result of many hours dedication as opposed to simply being in the right place at the right time. These are always going to be very appealing, certainly to me anyway. I like that you have chosen not use too high a shutter speed and left some inference of motion in his wingtips that works really well for me. My only two preferences would be for a little less blueness of the water, I think it would have worked better in its natural state. The other thing is that it is a little too tightly cropped, it would be preferable to have room for the bird to fly into. The execution of the shot itself is excellent and you deserve every credit for accuracy and timing.

A respectable score, well done and, thank you for your entry.

Never • Eat • Soggy • Waffles
by Ja-9

Comment:
Hello from the Critique club

An appealing image that meets the challenge well

Thanks for that Janine, I've not heard that one before – I know, I've led a very sheltered life! What lovely compasses. I generally like your composition though I might prefer to see a small amount of cropping of the bottom of the front compass in preference for more of the top of the image. Also, a smaller aperture to clearly define all of the front compass with the rest in soft focus would have made it even more appealing to me. I quite like the lighting but it is a little on the bright side in places, the colours are all well reproduced.

I'm sorry you didn't get any comments during the challenge, but yes, I did get and enjoy the title immediately, thank you for your entry.