Raccoon (user rockyracoon)
by basssman7

Comment:
8 - Excellent focus. I like the scruffy/damp look. Like the eye contact.

Tranquil
by darnok

Comment:
9 - Beautiful scene and image. Certainly tranquil.

She_Wears_Lace
by love

Comment:
8 - What a striking image.

Macro Thing
by silverhawk

Comment:
Hey... that's me. :)

7 - Nice colors and detail, always like seeing the fur on these guys this close. He's like a bear... 'thing'. Nice interpretation - thanks.

Coming Together at the Corner
by kewzoo

Comment:
Good stuff. You're welcome. Glad you took it the right way.

Old Monterey
by Alex_Europa

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
I like the leading lines, the trail lights of the car and the fact this is a semi night shot. I also like the stop sign.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
Just read your Photographer's Comments and commend you for your thoroughness in explaining your steps both to take the image and also in post processing.

So how does all that come across as a final image to me, the viewer? - the image seems to be struggling with an identity - I like the stop sign, yet it is not dominant enough to be a feature, the trees/tree lights are nice, but again, they're not dominant enough to make an impact. The composition of the subjects doesn't seem strategic, leaving them all competing for attention.

The street is empty of people (seemingly) and there is nothing grabbing my attention - save for the stop sign (but it needs lighting) and the trailing vehicle lights. A variation in crop and composition, possibly even going for a bold crop and completely recomposing the image. For example: losing the stop sign and also cropping close to the left 'flared' light or keeping the stop sign and cropping out the light on the left and almost centering the trees. Small details like a more refined crop bottom right (red thing creeping in) also help refine the image.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
64/135 and 5.22 is about middle of the road - the perspective is good, but my guess is that the vantage point - the scene on the street, was a bit straight on and doesn't lead the eyes anywhere in particular, therefore your viewers didn't linger long.

Only one comment, but it tells two helpful things: the viewer liked the overall feel with the image (lights, colors (I'm guessing)) and that they appreciated the low angle.

Summary
The stop sign makes me want to see something contradictory in the scene, but I don't - well perhaps the car passing off into the distance - but the crop is not tight enough to bring these aspects/elements into play enough. Experiment with the cropping and overall feel from the image and I think you'd produce something to hold the voters a while longer and also urge people to make a comment (hopefully helpful).

Broken Dreams
by cjgorman

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
Wonder whether this is a literal interpretation of the Challenge. I think I understand the vision but don't think it has been realized, especially for this Challenge, more context would be required. The iron at the fore of the image also dominates too much.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
Just read your Photographer's Comments - seems like you had a visual of this in your mind before you took the image. Again, I think a little more context, or a different angle/vantage point would have given this an edge and allowed more story to come into play. As is, there seems to be some slight blur issues as well. Looking at your aperture, I would hazard a guess that gaining a deeper depth of field would have suited this image and allowed more textures to also come into play. As mentioned, there are some blur issues so perhaps a tripod (or makeshift one) next time. I say next time, because it seems you are not too far from this building and, with the childhood memories attached to the scene/building for you - it sounds like a good self challenge to explore and perfect.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
131/135 and a score of 4.01 seems harsh, but my guess is that the voters didn't understand the concept and also wanted more of the street photography aspect. Of course, they don't get the benefit of your explanation during voting, but the image should be able to stand on its own at any rate.

Just reading the comments, including yours: excellent stuff that you are keen to learn. This was submitted with a max width of 620, you are allowed 640 in Basic Editing and (quality issues aside for a moment), I'd suggest always using the available screen real estate to showcase your image. As for quality deterioration on resizing, experiment with the compression factor when saving the jpeg and you should be able to achieve a good result with no major visible deterioration. Roughly 10% usually works, give or take.

You've been given some curt, but excellent feedback. Remember that people don't have much time when voting, so comments should be taken in that regard. I strongly recommend voting as much as you can and taking the plunge to comment as much as you can too - it is an invaluable way to learn.

Summary
The most interesting aspect being the windows, is lost behind the busy iron at the fore. Potentially an interesting image with the scene and good luck pursuing it in the future.

Coming Together at the Corner
by kewzoo

Comment:



Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
I see a drive-by shooting and wonder if you would have taken this image if you were standing on the street. I see vulnerable people photographed. Yes, yes, they are 'characters', I see that - I guess I see a 'cheap shot' more. Many will not agree with me, and that is ok - candids can be a sensitive subject with photographers. I can appreciate them, but I feel the need to draw the line at certain times.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
Just read your comments and it seems you were conscious of your subjects' vulnerability. The other elements you mention, such as the baseball I also saw and do find it a good element for the photograph, just like the dolls.

Who knows, perhaps the fact this has been taken from the car is unsettling my opinion of the photograph - it could be a different image altogether with a slightly different vantage point. As is, the car vantage point just dominates the image too much. Perhaps a bold crop, losing the car entirely, may have created a different image, but you may not have had the quality in the zoom to do so.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
113/135 - I'm curious if this placement is because my sentiments are echoed with many voters, or if it is because of the technicals and distractions.

Most of your commenters like it and found the humor in it.

Summary
In a different situation, perhaps this could have worked and told more of a story, as is, the story I get isn't one I'm interested in. Admittedly, I am probably not the biggest fan of this style of street photography. In fact, you may benefit from seeking different opinions from those who are avid street photographers.

Erosion
by drick172

Comment:



Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
(Deja Vu) I admired this briefly the other day and my first impression then was: a beautiful image with a well done long exposure, featuring one of my favorite birds, but the geology aspect wasn't as dominant as I'd like to have seen for the Challenge, but only slightly. The image of course shows good formations, but there are other fine elements within the image that compete for center stage.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
Composition is very good, perhaps a little more visual balance by a little more height in the rear rock and a slightly tighter crop at the bottom, not sure - but of course, with the bird in this position and the flow of the waves - some things cannot be 'shifted'.

The lighting on the rocks, especially at the rear, is nice and warm and shows the surface and details well. The control of the whites looks very good and it sounds like you notched it up just right in pp.

It's good to hear you printed a larger version of this and are content with it.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
As I've said before: first place, can't complain. 7.25 I see is your new PB, so well done with this excellent score. You won the hearts of most of your commenters.

Summary
A rare opportunity well captured - you produced a very serene and gentle image that shows the constance and harmony between geology and other elements of nature.

Look
by bjoern

Comment:



Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
Hmm, seems a tourist type shot at a bridge or similar - but even so, could still classify as Street Photography, however there are not enough people in focus, or at least where the eye first rests, to create the interest.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
Ok, just read your comments - if your favorite part of the image was the two people at the front, I don't understand why you didn't allow them 'center stage' more. The OOF (out of focus) areas dominate the image too much and cause a distraction from these two. Aside from that, with everyone looking down, and the man pointing down, the mind wants to either 'see down' or at least have some space leading down within the frame.

A more refined crop would also have helped. Perhaps even a very bold one, bringing the girl's distant look into play.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
98/135 seems a little harsh, perhaps - but your last commenter provides some very good insight into your image.

Summary
Possibly good potential with the image as is, but would likely take a bold crop and some tweaking in pp to enhance & portray the 'moment'.