Posted
by Donna21

Comment:
I really think that you had a good starting image. The composition does feel a bit cramped, especially with the sign so close to the edge of the image. Leaving some negative space can be as simple as just leaving some extra space around you main focal point, just like you did in the top two alternatives below. I do like those much better, with the one at the top being my fav of the two. If you could have shot this with a better, more interesting sky, I think your score would have grown some. I also think that it would be a more interesting shot in the summer with the greenery on the vines, but we live by the hand of Langdon here. He put the challenge in for this week, not the summertime. Nice work with the post-processing.

Deep Reflection
by JimiRose

Comment:
I do like the image, but I agree with Jason that the contrast may be pushed just a bit too much. The face and hand are overly distracting and keeps the eye in that one area rather than allowing it to wander through the image. Overall, it really isn't a "DPC Friendly" image. Voters here like sharp images with too much noise reduction that are full of vibrant colors, for the most part anyway. I'm not an average DPC voter, and I gave it a 7 in voting. I also agree with Jason that taking the hot lights out of the composition would have helped a bit, too.

E

Cuddle Buddy
by XMountaineer

Comment:
Power down that flash...a lot. As soon as this one pops up, I can see that the flash overpowered the image. Normally my goal with flash is to make the image look as if no flash was used. Your flash could also use some sort of diffuser, as your shadows behind the pup's ear, and the doll's ear are very harsh. A diffuser works to make the light of your flash come from a larger source, in turn making your shadows softer. Even better, go ahead and buy a flash unit to get away from the on-camera unit, then use it judiciously.

Other than the flash, you have a great starting subject. I am sure that the doggie will be the star of may photos to come. Your composition does seem a bit tense with everything cramped into the frame. Don't be afraid to leave some negative space and try not to crop off important parts of the subject. Now every image and composition is different, in this one, I think that the dogs left ear should have been included. Do a search for 'rule of thirds' and you'll find some very interesting composition ideas and theories. I hope that this helps, and feel free to email me if you have any more questions.

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The famous refraction
by booboo_goon

Comment:
TOP 10!!!! Well-done, Luana.

E

The Shunned
by RKT

Comment:
This was one of my highest rated captures in the challenge, and it is one of the most underrated images in the final results. Great work, and nice job offering up something that required some thought. I think that you were voted down because the average voter does not take time to really look at the images in challenges. You probably get about 10 seconds of their life, if that. I really like everything about this one. I like the composition, the way the hallway drags your eye to the distant group of chairs. I like the toning and the tense emotion that it seems to invoke. I like the depth of field you chose. It also adds to the emotion of the image, making the foreground chairs standout from the 'popular' crowd that stares in the distance. You came up with a great entry here, and your score failed to reflect that. This was a 9 for me, and I think that I gave two 10s, five 9s, and 3 8s.

Playground.
by HollyLay

Comment:
I like it. A well-deserved posthumous ribbon. I look forward to seeing more challenge entries from you.

Water
by booboo_goon

Comment:
Hey Luana,
It is nice to see you entering challenges on a regular basis. This makes me even happier about the membership. This is a very cool shot, and I think that it would do very well in a low-key challenge. I also think that it should have done better here, but these voters are tough to figure out some days. Overall, I do not think that the image is too dark, but the dark spot on the hand that is near the middle of the frame really grabs the eye and holds onto it. It also looks like that thumb is just a little too close to the camera. I think that lengthening your depth of field, thus bringing that thumb into focus, would have helped your score a little. Looking through the challenge, I am really baffled that this didn't finish higher. Nice work, and keep shooting. What matters is that YOU like the end product. High scores are just a nice bonus sometimes.

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The Lighthouse Keeper's Walk
by jrtodd

Comment:
Well-seen and well-captured. See, you really can't shoot TOO much with that fisheye. Glad you like it. I wouldn't trade mine for anything...except maybe a D3.

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Take a Hike
by Pipe_Dream

Comment:
Hey there from the Critique Club

First of all, congrats on a new personal, as well as a top 20 finish.

Camera Work/Technical: Terrific. Your technical wok is one of the main strengths of the image. Your focus is crisp, and your f/7 aperture kept the entire scene nicely focused.

Lighting: I really like these types of shots, using flash to light your subject while relying on ambient light to light the scene. I think that you had points deducted for the harsh shadows that were created on the right side of your group. Adding a second flash would have remedied this easily. I do like that the background is a bit less exposed than your subjects.

Composition/Content: Great content for the challenge, and you put together a nicely composed image. Your placement of the group works nicely to draw the eye into the frame and right up the waterfall.

My Opinion: This image is appropriately scored. While I like the lighting, I think that bringing up the exposure on the background would have worked to balance the image more, thus taking away the urge to think that this one was shot in studio, and may have even brought another tenth or two. Nice work.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide a critique on your entry,
Eric

Constant Search
by Nikolai1024

Comment:

Originally posted by ericwoo: DNMC

Kidding...of course. Great shot!