Sunset #16
by zadore

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club
by Inspzil

Composition - Sunsets are probably the most cliche of all shots, outside of DPC. Suprisingly we don't see that many probably due to a lot of the challenge topics. The composition of this photo should have included the whole tree, and probably a little more "padding" around it. The fence post directly in front of the sun is detracting from this picture substantially. This particular sunset is not very camera friendly due to the darkness of the clouds and the brightness of the sun. I don't think this was the greatest day to be capturing a sunset. There are a lot of dark clouds covering stuff up and make this sky look a bit menacing. It doesn't have that peaceful feeling of a sunset taken somewhere like Maui.

Photography - The exposure is tough to hit on this one. Most of the photo is pretty dark except where the sun is of course, and there its ultra bright. The exposure was obviously set to that judging by the F-number and shutter speed at which the picture was shot. Its not crisp like I think it should be either which may be another side effect of exposure settings.

Processing - I'm not sure if this picture was oversharpened a little or its something else, but the branches don't look right. It may have something to do with the camera's perception of light and dark. My first impression of this though is that it was oversharpened.

Overall - The mood of this picture is not what I expect it to be with a sunset. Its very dreary for a sunset. The composition needs some refining and probably should've been taken from further back or cropped a little less tight to include the whole tree. The photo quality of this image is not really that great either, for the most part due to the difficulty of properly exposing a picture like this (if it could be done. I couldn't do it.) In all honesty and without trying to be offensive, I think you were very fortunate to pull 5.6 out of this picture. Good luck in future challenges Z. - Bob

Winter Sunset
by Manic

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club
by Inspzil

Composition - This wonderful sunset is all about color. The couple trees that are silhouetted are not the most picturesque trees on earth, but they add a little something extra to the picture so it isn't so flat. This must've been a tough one to get though, I didn't think the sun was scheduled to make an appearance in the UK till late April :o) The one thing I think this picture lacks is R-L balance. I'm not sure if thats a personal thing or not, but my eyes won't let me get past it, so I'll mention it. With the 2 tall trees plus a little extra on the right, I'm looking for some offset on the left, even if it's not as tall as the stuff on the right. It isn't really there to the degree I expect to see though with a little foliage slightly above the horizon. The buildings in the center are not helping anything, but aren't really hurting either. But like I said before, this picture is really all about color.

Photography - Exposure is perfect. The thing that I can't seem to get right on some of these pics that I take is the white balance. This one seems to be right on the money. Everything else seems fine.

Processing - Looks good to me. The colors look great here. If you did mess with them a little, it doesn't show.

Overall - This picture is the definitely cliche. It's a very nice calm peaceful picture with outstanding colors. The balance thing to me is the only thing I think could be improved on the picture really based on the things that are already silhouetted in this picture. I think if you had only trees and no buildings with a couple prominent nice shaped trees, it would improve it maybe a little, or maybe a lot. As it is though, it is still a really nice pic. - Bob

Skylight
by Konador

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club Ben
by Inspzil

Composition - There are 2 things that sell this shot. The first is the color of the sky, the second is the framing. Angle has a little to do with that as well. The lightness around the window is a good lead-in to the scene behind the glass, which is fantastic, real or not. A lot of negative space around the window which I think is a matter of taste. I don't like it as well as I think you and others do. Probably explains a lot of why you got a 6.5 on this challenge and I got a 5.2. Well done!

Photography - Looks like I'm looking out my own window, except probably clearer since my spectacles are a little outdated in their prescription. Very very well taken picture and sharp as can be. Exposure is great.

Processing - Perhaps a little more of the bottom cropped to lose the crease in the wall going horizontally under the window, but aside from that, masterfully done.

Overall - A very solid shot all around. Great subject, well taken with great perspective and a good lead in with the light around the windows and a fabulous sky. Use of negative space makes this seem simple without distractions of any sort. Very well executed shot. - Bob

Laid Back
by sahko

Comment:
I have a cat about this color, and just a little bit bigger. Definitely a personal favorite of this challenge. Very adorable, and a good picture to boot. I might have tried to take this with greater DOF if at all possible. - Inspzil

emotional distance
by juras

Comment:
Great DOF and nice color. I think you've done as well with these subjects as you can. Nice job - Inspzil

Yellow tulips
by kiwiness

Comment:
Vivid color. Great macro. Wouldn't surprise me to see this in the top 10 one bit. THis picture has a real softness to it that I wish I could give my photos. Nice job - Inspzil

Cowboy Photographer
by sher

Comment:
Not gonna get any flash on THAT pic. Cute snapshot. One to put in the album and treasure.

Ode to Mapplethorpe
by KarenB

Comment:
Unusual crop, and one I don't particularly care for. Picture looks pretty well taken, I'm not sure I like the adjustments

Muster Flowers
by bobgaither

Comment:
THis is a nice bright pic, maybe a bit too bright. The grass is glowing green and the sky is a little washed. Turning the exposure down a bit and I bet it keeps the grass a pretty nice green and the sky with a hint more blue. Great concept for a pic

Floral Arrangement
by jgillard

Comment:
The lighting is too bright and makes the photo very flat. Looks like an ad from the FTD catalog. The color is ok. I don't like the tables or panels that the vase rests on. They are not a healthy addition to the pic.