Down-Home Patriotism
by eloise

Comment:
Critique Club


Initial thoughts
Poor composition and colour balance.

Composition/ Content/ Background
I�m not American, so the American flag doesn�t touch me in the way it does many Americans, but I�m also not someone who votes down American flag photos because I�m fed up of them. If I see a good example, I can appreciate it for what it is. Iff the image is strong in it�s own right, I vote it that way.
In this case I find the image very weak for a number of reasons.
The flag itself is hanging in such a way that too much of it is in shadow for my liking � I�d consider shooting the image at a time of day when the natural light is less harsh and coming from a different angle.
The flag is also hanging so limply that it doesn�t have a strong form � it just doesn�t communicate patriotism, as per your title, to me.
I find composition weak - the positioning of the flag within the frame seems random - more like a snapshot than a well planned photograph. Why has it been placed where it has within the frame? Is it because you felt that the angles and shapes were strongest using this composition or because you were intent on getting the flag into frame and excluding other elements in the area?
The background contributes a lot to my feelings about the composition - the building may have significance to you but the part of it included here is a mix of surfaces, the reflections in the windows are so bright that they draw the eye away from the flag, the perspective lines means the building appears to be leaning backwards and overall, I find the building detracts instead of supports the flag. Yet it still appears to be an incidental element in a picture of a flag rather than being the point of interest, for a home sweet home photo.
In this image there isn�t a key point of focus for me � it should be the flag but the busy building keeps pulling my eyes away and all over.

Camera Work - Technical
Focus seems fine, poorly composed, lighting not ideal.

Digital Processing - Technical
This has a very blue cast to me � I have not encountered that with other images, so I am fairly certain it�s not my monitor.

Fits The Challenge
Yes.

My Opinion On The Photo
Visually not a strong image. Content not engaging.

I'm Ready For My Close Up
by CreativeFlyPhoto

Comment:
Critique Club


Initial thoughts
Fantastic image with lovely clean background.

Composition/ Content
I really like both the content and composition here. I think the low perspective really shows off the wonderful texture of his scales and the subject really lends itself beautifully to b/w. I really like the shallow DOF though I�d like the focal point bought forward so that the tip of his nose/ mouth is in focus and the area that is out of focus starts slightly further forward on his neck � that would highlight the shallow DOF more though so it depends if that�s what you wanted to do.

Background
I love the background � although it�s beautifully clean and plain there are vague hints of shading and light which add interest.

Camera Work - Technical
Some of the whites are just a little too blown out for my preferences � particularly on his left �knee� and at the lower left of his face (to the right in the frame as we look at it).

Fits The Challenge
Excellently.

My Opinion On The Photo
I really like this image � I think it�s well taken and very striking.

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Message edited by author 2003-06-03 11:46:02.

You think that's air you're breathing now?
by e301

Comment:
Congrats Ed!!!

...stay in Wonderland
by crabappl3

Comment:
Like the way you've captured the translucent nature of the jelly beans, ahem, did I say jelly beans? I meant pills...
I am not sure the angle to view the sunglasses is quite right - I think I need to see the other arm.
Also overall composition seems rather random - doesn't click for me - I might move blue pill to the right to create a diagonal line between Mr Red, Mr Blue and left lens of the specs?

Primarily Red and Yellow with a Bit of the Blues
by CreativeFlyPhoto

Comment:
Critique Club


Initial thoughts
Well captured concert image, doesn�t fit hugely well with the challenge theme for me.

Composition/ Content
What I like most here is the circle within the square � I think that is the element that adds pizazz.
The dark line of the front of the stage also matches with the darker area at the top of the image and provides a good frame.

Background
I like the way that I can see elements of the background through the lights such as lighting mounts, banners etc.

Camera Work - Technical
Exposure shows orange nature of stage lights yet also shows reasonably accurate skin tones. I think you�ve done an absolutely excellent job of capturing this at just the right exposure.

Fits The Challenge
In terms of the challenge � I must admit that, although orange features strongly here, with a yellow centre to the main spotlight, the image isn�t �about� colour to me and certainly not about primary colours.

My Opinion On The Photo
Well captured and well cropped, just not a tight fit to the challenge for me.

Morning Welcome
by DougPaz

Comment:
I know the critique below isn't very long, I'm going to ask a fellow CCer to have a look at this image also for a different perspective, and hopefully, some additional insights.

Morning Welcome
by DougPaz

Comment:
Critique Club


Initial thoughts
Interesting content, nice crop, distracting bits and pieces�

Composition/ Content
I like the contents � I think it�s an interesting detail to focus in on and I like the composition: text at bottom, slanting angle of the cup and negative space to top left corner.
IMO it�s a shame that the supporting structure to the neon tubes is so clearly visible and the white fairy lights at top left don�t add anything.
Neon colours are nicely captured, muted and appealing.

Fits The Challenge
Yes

My Opinion On The Photo
Attractive but not enough high interest.

Jack and Jill
by crabappl3

Comment:
What a sweet candid! I love the way they are oblivious to camera and the way you've caught the one buy in midair is great.
The horizontal colour strips really add to the composition, though I wish there weren't such an expanse of white - it's a little glaring. I'm also not sure about the inclusion of the sides - especially the more dominant green side.
Overall, a nice candid with stronger composition than many similar types of images.

Primary Glass
by Jacko

Comment:
W00t!

Zecondary Colorz
by Pep Ventosa

Comment:
Excellent use of refraction to create the abstract shape. I really like the impact.