Deep Thought
by Marc923

Comment:
22nd out of 351 and no comments? Weird. Usually you should get at least one or two "Good shot" type of comments anyways.

I like the lighting you've presented here. Its quite subtle. The fade to black on the left of the face is nice as well. This works well for the challenge.

Things to fix? I guess you didn't necessarily need to crop off the top of the head. Then again I am guessing its a self-portrait so it is a little harder to frame the shot perfectly.

Natural circles of nature
by coolblue

Comment:
Natural circles of nature? Does the Department of Redundancy Department know you do this? Incidentally since its the circle challenge we expect circles. You don't have to explain to us that we are supposed to be looking at circles.

In regards to the photograph:

Use the full size available. The more we can see the better we can see your talents.

The colors are quite pleasing and nicely saturated.

Nice shallow DOF to draw focus to the subject.

Composition is a little blah. The main subject is nearly centered with the smaller buds above and below. This draws the eye to the middle only and doesn't allow the view to explore the frame.

Challenge: There are a lot of flowers in this challenge. Most, including this one, I would say meet the challenge. One thing to consider when entering challenges. Think of the most obvious things and list them. If you decide to use one of those ideas try to come up with a way that makes it unique and different. I think with a bit better composition you have something unique here.

Xtra Red
by bigfella

Comment:
Waaaaay oversaturated.

Sunset Red
by jan_vdw

Comment:
Sorry...this is really orange. Not really even a red-orange in fact. More of a yellow-orange.

The silhouettes could be sharper in any event. I do like the color of the sky in the shot (if it were in a different challenge).

All tied up.
by docjonny

Comment:
A little over processed. Over sharpening created a halo around the string/rope.

R E D - Second
by MonicaJames

Comment:
The border really takes away from this shot. Your eye should be drawn to the subject of the picture, not the border.

Morning Field
by Ubersteiny

Comment:
The portion of the picture that has focus is really uninteresting (i.e. its a bit of grass). There are other elements that could be sharp. Perhaps a different foreground element would help.

I'm guessing you were going for soft focus though. I honestly don't know how to do it effectively. (If you find out thought I'd like to hear about it).

The composition is pretty good. The shapes that the field and trees make works well and does lead your eye gently around the frame.

I like the B&W conversion. The tones are pleasing to look at and the exposure is really good.

The bit of water (?) in the foreground is a little bit distracting. Its not large enough to show a good reflection yet its size draws your eye to it.

I'd like to see this picture redone with good sharpness throughout just to see the difference.

The score you got? I don't agree that its a 4.6. Low 5's perhaps but I don't believe its a below average image in any event.

On Guard
by candlerain

Comment:
A simple subject and an interesting idea. The colors of the subject are rich and nicely saturated.

The composition is a bit dull. Getting lower would help for starters. Moving the hydrant off center would also help. Get a bit closer to give the subject more prominence in the shot or try getting away from the hydrant and relying its color to bring the eye to it.

The background of the picture is distracting. Using a larger aperture would allow you to blur out the background.

This hits the nail on the head for meeting the challenge.

Cherry Sunset
by nickersh2o

Comment:
I really like the concept of this shot. The clouds (jet streams?) add interest to the sky and create leading lines that take your eye across the picture. The composition works for me and I like the overall curve of the tree line.

This would work better with greater sharpnesss in the trees. Their edges are a little soft so the silhouette effect isn't as strong as it could be.

The trees around the sun are also a little hot. Not much you can do under basic but I thought I would mention it.

Definitely worthy of this challenge and is a fresh take on the challenge. It makes a bold statement

Straight Up
by keith_n

Comment:
Nice composition in this shot. The straw creates an interesting diagonal line to take your eye around the picture. The goblet portion of the wineglass is positioned well.

The picture does have a bit of a two dimensional feel to it. Perhaps a third element close or further away would add some depth. You could also show red floor/ground to add depth as well.

The glass could be sharper. Perhaps a smaller aperture could help create greater depth of field so the entire glass is sharp. It appears that autofocus may have used the straw as the focus point.

Interesting approach to the challenge that is certainly unique.