Backlit Lime AP - Day 8
by slaakso

Comment:
Wow.. that's quite close! I like how this has the lime color, yet still is a bit see through with the backlighting. I enjoy abstract macros that don't really have any main focal point, but I feel like this is lacking somehow. Perhaps a levels or curves adjustment to take away some of that flat, grey feel? A bit more sharpening? Or shooting it with the center of the lime arranged in the corner so that you can see the circular pattern more? Just a few ideas.

3.32 Dolce
by Melethia

Comment:
This is so much nicer in b/w! Those orange chairs are quite overwhelming!

Spoon guy
by Melethia

Comment:
Wow, that is some talent! I can see why the two little kids were so interested in his performance! You captured the sequence of this very well! I think leaving a bit of blank space between the 3 frames might help here... I'm having a hard time looking through all three shots smoothly with the backgrounds not lining up.

Train home
by Melethia

Comment:
Very nice! There is much to explore in this shot, yet it still feels simple and uncluttered. I'm quite impressed that this was shot from your lap... I would have taken 10 shots and still managed to cut the mans head off in every one of them! Very nice!

Accordian guy
by Melethia

Comment:
He looks like he's having a great time... and that smile is infectious!

My Innocent Face...
by arron_christensen

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

First Impressions: Cute kitty. Nice range of tones from black to white, though some of the highlights seem a little too bright (but I have the same trouble with my cat, too). Love the alert expression and pose. Nothing out of the ordinary here to make this shot stand out from the other cats in the challenge except the selective coloring, which I feel might be a tad overdone (and personally, isn't my favorite method of processing).

After reading your comments: I agree. Taking a picture of the cats is a pain! I'm glad you went with a natural pose, I like it. I wonder if perhaps you could have not gone quite as far with the curves to keep the contrast down a bit? Nice small aperture for a shallow dof, and you handled the focus nicely. And you did this with a shutter speed of 1/25? Wow. You must have the most patient cat in the world! It seems like you might have been shooting in pretty dim conditions looking at the combination of camera settings you have listed. Perhaps finding a location with more light would have allowed you more flexibility, and made the photo even sharper?

To grow the vote for next time: I think pet portraits are tough. Everyone wants to enter, and it's hard to be creative and stand out without making your poor pet look completely foolish. I think you did a nice job with this one, and for the most part the voters seemed to agree. It probably just lacked that little extra to make it stand out since voters are flipping through seeing cat, cat, dog, cat, dog, dog, cat... Perhaps thinking more about creative lighting setups, or a more unique composition would help for next time.

Hope this has been helpful. Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions about the critique. Good luck in your future challenges!

Striking the pose
by carofo

Comment:
Wow, fantastic! Lovely spring colors, and nicely composed. With such bright light, you handled the highlights nicely. I agree, those other photographers definitely missed out on this opportunity!

Day 07 - Cauliflower
by hajeka

Comment:
I love how there's a little section missing, letting you peek inside. And I agree that the black background offsets this nicely.

Viola Scroll
by JMart

Comment:
Good choice to keep the entire scroll in the frame. I think the full shape is more important than anything you would have gained in texture or detail from a closer shot. The white background works well here... anything else would have detracted I think. Nicely done!

Red Ice AP - Day 7
by slaakso

Comment:
I'm honored that you were inspired by my shot! I think you did a fantastic job with this one. I love the variety of sizes and shapes in the bubbles here, and the choice to use the red background livens it up. Amazing that this was hand held too!