Power
by scmaxfield

Comment:
A little on the dark side. Setting a white point based on one of the clouds would have helped. I pasted into Paint Shop Pro quickly just to see what the difference would be and it looks beautiful. (Naturally I didn't save it but if you are interested in seeing it after the challenge is over let me know)

I do like the shadows on the hills. The powerlines/poles taking your eye into the shot is also really effective. I like the richness of the colours especially in the grass.

Make your own landscape
by the99

Comment:
Creative approach but I would really recommend getting outside and seeing the world around you.

High Land
by Len Scap

Comment:
It seems to be a theme throughout what I have seen in this challenge. A lot of the scenes are really hard to expose for properly with large bright areas and large dark areas. From your composition your focus is the trees and vegetation in the foreground, yet the proper exposure was given to the mountains in the background. Really tough call here because to properly expose the trees, the sky would get blown out pretty badly. The only solution that comes to mind is using a graduated ND filter (preferably) or perhaps a circular polarizer. A graduated ND filter would darken the sky while leaving the bottom nicely exposed.

Valley View
by doctabrez

Comment:
A tough scene to expose for. The bottom is a little dark and were this in advanced rules I'd recommend dodging a bit.

Field of Dreams
by jsundin

Comment:
I'd like to see a wider version of this. If zoom was used, zoom out and give us a feeling of how big this field really is. That shadow on the left is a little annoying as well. If recomposing without it was an option it would definitely help.

The Woods are Lovely, Dark and Deep
by pmichaud

Comment:
Welcome from the Critique Club!

Composition:

A little flat. I'd be curious what focal length was used here. With a wider shot it would give a more expansive feeling to this. Another approach would be to try to think in terms of layers for this type of shot. Get something in the foreground, mid-ground, and background to create depth. If you were to reposition the camera to create a visual line through the shot, either with the path or using the trees it would stronger as well.

From your description you mention that the trail keeps going up. Why not incorporate that feeling into the picture by getting a shot where the trail goes up a lot?

Exposure:

Tough lighting to shoot for. Quick, easiest and safest bet is to expose for the trees. Aiming for an area of trees with more consistent lighting would help as well. Generally with trees you underexpose by about -2/3 of a stop because vegetation tends to be fairly reflective. A circular polarizer of a graduated ND filter would also help get the sky exposed correctly while allowing you to expose the trees properly.

Color: Overall I'd say its pretty good. The colors are rich and well saturated with a fair bit of variety. (yes there's lots of green but lots of variations on green)

The challenge: For this challenge, Waldo is best to be in plain view but blended into the background. I like that you didn't place Waldo too far back in the scene however hiding him behind a tree just doesn't work for me. To be honest I wouldn't worry about that too much though. For this challenge a lot of shots included people in ways you would never want to do and would likely compose for or photoshop out after the fact.

Waldo's traveling spirit
by joekent

Comment:
Composition:
Nice diagonals and the horizon help lead the viewer into the frame. The vanishing point is positioned nicely. The horizon could be straightened a little (might be just my tired eyes though).

Lighting is interesting and well exposed. There are a few jaggies along the lights in the distance but that can't be helped.

Colors are pleasing and nicely saturated without going overboard. They really help create the mood in this shot.

The challenge:
Waldo looks like he was less than deliberately placed to me for some reason. However, a lot of commenters liked the sized and placing of the elusive Waldo. In the end I think I will have to agree with them.

Summertime!
by junior_z

Comment:
ouch...needs some straightening.

Fishin'
by skewsme

Comment:
Not sure about the uneven border. I don't really think this shot requires a border at all especially one so thick. Remember, the purpose of a border is to "contain" the image. The trees form a nice natural border in this shot so an extra one isn't needed.

Early Morning
by edmeng

Comment:
Wow. Nice monochromoe conversion. It really suits this image well. Good contrast on the foreground without sacrificing the soft subtle tones in the background.