F A C I N A T I O N
by Ja-9

Comment:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

A flower study that meets the challenge fully.

Whilst I have to own up to the fact that the end result of these filters rarely, if ever, appeals to me, I also acknowledge that the challenge probably dictates their use to achieve the painted feel of the challenge. I would imagine you could have some success trying to achieve a painterly feel in-camera which would be the challenge I would be attracted to but I suppose the voters may be swayed by those that appear the most painted and they are probably most likely to be the result of the use of filters.

I quite like the macro and composition with the heart of the flower off-centre. I find the shadows the most intriguing element of the image, very appealing. I think the edges appear sharper than would probably be the case if this had been painted, for example, the sharp diagonal of the top left corner I think this would be a softer transition without the boundary line running through it. The pinkish splodges do not appeal, for me they detract but they are not a major part of the image except towards the centre which is also where the eyes are drawn.

An understandable but unappealing use of filters, thanks for your submission, Sid

Kiss you for it
by WonderDude

Comment:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

A great image that fits the challenge very well.

I love this! This works really well, the silhouettes are very effective with the trolley forming the centre point and the binding bridge that both binds and separates you both at the same time. It makes the trolley an integral and strong part of the whole and as such completely meets the challenge brief with impact.

I like your low viewpoint it enables you to isolate the scene very effectively from any potentially distracting background. The background you do have is a very appealing sunset with a lovely blue sky that darkens around the upper part where you are both joined in a passionate kiss. The whole thing is very appealing and effective, well done. Your certainly getting your money's worth out of your new lens!

There are some good images on the front page of this challenge, its a real shame yours was not there too, it certainly deserved to be, better luck next time, Sid

noun: \ˌkyu̇r-ē-ˈä-s(ə-)tē\ - City Built Inside a Pyramid
by Dr.Confuser

Comment:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

An interesting image that fails to meet the challenge

I'm not sure that this fits the challenge it doesn't suggest curiosity to me but I am making a guess that you are inviting people to peep into another world here and by implication arouse or sate their curiosity in doing so. If that is a correct assumption I suppose it fits the challenge in an obscure sort of way. But to me the image doesn't invoke or instil a feeling of curiosity in itself.

I suppose my negativity about the image fulfilling the challenge brief is because this feels very much like a model village, it just has a very unreal feel to it. The image is certainly unique in the respect I've never seen anything like it before but I just sort of feel – why?

I'm intrigued by the strange ISO number? You have a good DOF throughout, the softness in the topmost arch is irrelevant and doesn't impact the rest of the image which is nice and sharp. Any distortion inevitable from such a wide angle lens is very pleasing and adds to the end result.

I quite like the image itself but I probably would have scored it midway for the reasons already discussed above, thanks for your submission, Sid

Suburban Sunset
by RyanW

Comment:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

A sunset that meets the challenge.

I have to be honest my initial impression was negative until I saw the challenge you have entered it for and now I understand the reason for the processing, so with that in mindâ€Â¦ The house is the only sharp feature in the image and therefore becomes a stronger focal point than I assume you wanted it to be. Personally I don't think it detracts especially given your title you want it to emphasise the buildings, as it does.

I have to say I don't like the softness through the rest of the image but I do understand why you have opted for it but I think the whites should be whiter through additional exposure. The composition is fitting for the intended purpose, I like the low horizon. I am surprised that you left the cloning as you did, it doesn't add but detracts from the image left like this.

A generally pleasing image that has room for improvement but thanks for your submission, Sid

Tiny Bubble Gums
by clickodak

Comment:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

A very colourful image that meets the challenge.

I'll be honest I've never actually seen bubble gum like this but I've probably led a very sheltered life! You have certainly captured and eye-catching image that just shouts 'look at me'. The colours are very striking.

You have a good DOF through most of the image bit it is just a little soft at the top. I assume you have used a tripod, although you have a slow shutter speed there is no evidence of camera shake. The highlights are good though the yellows are close to blown they seem paler and the whites whiter, perhaps some -EC would have overcome that and saturated the rest of the colours more too.

An excellent entry, thanks Sid

Creative Pursuits
by MadMan2k

Comment:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

A lovely still life that I am unsure meets the challenge.

First of all congratulations for your high placing for a very appealing still life, but you've not taken any prisoners with your submission have you! I don't know how anyone could possibly guess either during or even after the challenge that the scene has changed between exposures and in what way. With the benefit of your comments, I'm looking carefully at it and there is no way I can tell what elements have changed between the nine exposures.

The image itself is very appealing, I love the lighting though I do have the same reservations about blown highlights as one of your commenters. I love the way the top of the image blends into the inky background. The articles that make up the image are confusingly appealing, not what you would expect to see together but nevertheless they add an intriguing element for the viewer.

An excellent submission in its own right but I remain dubious as to its validity but equally pleased that it worked for you, Sid

Winter hike
by clickodak

Comment:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

An interesting shot that I am unsure it meets the challenge.

Well, I must admit, I am completely confused by the validity of your entry, perhaps as well it didn't win! I think to be successful in a challenge of this nature those that have the most obvious omissions are the ones most likely to succeed, or at least get most attention. So, it was well guessed by one of your commenters but I really enjoyed Yo_Spiff's comment, I hope he wasn't right!

So, let's talk about the image itself. It's a shame it wasn't virgin snow but I do like the backlighting and shadows and your crossed poles in the foreground, I also like the near silhouettes of the trees. I think there is potential here to give the image more impact through increased contrast by giving the snow more exposure to get it whiter and reducing exposure on the tree trunks to make the silhouettes, I think it could make for a more interesting result.

Anyway, your secret's safe with me! Tee hee, Sid

Hands playing Classical guitar
by clickodak

Comment:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

Congratulations for your high placing with this most appropriate image for the challenge.

Is this a self portrait Marcel? If so, you are a multi talented man, well done. This is an excellent image, your chosen aperture is creating a nice centre of focus on the playing hand, the composition is very good with a nice diagonal running through the image. I know you do concern yourself with composition and have asked for help in the past, have no fear, you most definitely got it right here Marcel, it works perfectly.

I like the lighting and the mono processing it works very well here. There is an argument for making the chords hand the centre of focus which I think would also work very well, but the argument is equally strong to do as you have done as this is the hand from which the sound emanates. The few minor blemishes on the front of the guitar would benefit from some processing attention but its certainly not a major issue.

Well done Marcel, this is an excellent entry in every respect, Sid

Ready or not...
by AndreiD

Comment:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

A great candid moment that meets the challenge well.

What a lovely moment you have captured, it really captures the essence of childhood innocence and fun at play. Your composition is spot on with the girl in the foreground keeping her eyes closed shut and counting to tenâ€Â¦ but the real essence of this is the girl in the background hurriedly searching for the best place to hide, really nicely done.

What is not so good is the softness throughout which given your shutter speed I would say is attributable to camera shake. I think ISO 1600 would have given you the sharpness that would have given the image the impact it lacks through softness. The strong black shapes in the background, in particular the one just in front of the girl would benefit from being muted down with some dodging just to make them less dominant and competing for attention.

A very nice shot, I like your poignant comments too, thank you for a lovely submission, Sid

~ Christmas Berries ~
by Ja-9

Comment:
*Hello from Sid and the Critique Club*

A very seasonal image that meets the open challenge well.

An appealing image that reflects the festive mood of the time of year (not long to the next one!). I scored this a 7 at the time and would probably do so again, it still has the sort of appeal that goes with the season.

It looks as though you have included a texture layer to give it a bit more uniqueness as opposed to a straightforward shot, and it works because it does make it the sort of shot you will take a second look at. The composition is good with the berries coming in at an angle from the corner, the diagonal works well. Although I like the background it is a little confusing and may have benefited from a little more DOF.

A rather belated Merry Christmas! Sid