In the Beginning ...
by magnetic9999

Comment:
Surprised this wasn't top ten. I didn't vote on Selective Desat, but I saw this shot and thought it had a certain 'sheen' of quality. I knew I recognised the quality and style but I failed to work out who it was!

Very nice work, as always. Again, think it should have come higher.

George Washington Bridge Pre-Facelift
by BikeRacer

Comment:
Very interesting image. I like the use of negative space.. Just enough clouds to provide interest without being overbearing. I really like the angle. Colourisation and sharpness look good too. I'm very surprised this got a 5.28. I'd have given it, probably and 8. Getting to the stage where I think 'I really rate this image, it would go on my wall'. In fact, I'm promoting it to a 9.

PS. It's amazing how useful the 18-55 is, isn't it?? :-)

Vase three dpc three.JPG
by train

Comment:
Really nice idea, and pretty well done. I love the noise, colours and mood. Not too keen on the light reflecting ont he two oval vases - looks a little harsh. Also I think I'd crop so the space on between the border and the left case is the same as the one on the right - essentially making the image squarer. The lighting and text of the background on the right is really nice, but the pic doesn't look balanced to me. Also, I'd have gone with a white border if using one, but I think the photo holds itself in nicely without one.

Life is a Waiting Game...
by librodo

Comment:
Excellent work, as always! Congrats!

Fender Stratocaster
by ChrisW123

Comment:
First ribbon!! Well done Chris, hopefully they will be lots more. :-)

Gina
by librodo

Comment:
Again, I'd be somewhat careful with sharpening.. It's fairly noticable around your model's right cheek. Also, did you add the border then sharpen? There appears to be an obvious halo between the border and picture. Always sharpen before adding border! :-) An exceptional shot, but I do prefer the others..

Kittie
by librodo

Comment:
Excellent DOF, colour and exposure. Did you edit the eyes separately? The look curiously different colours.. The hair leads perfectly into her gaze, which works very well.

Bianca
by librodo

Comment:
Again, nearing technical perfection from my point of view. (But I'm no portrait photographer....!) The hair that's most in focus near the bottom middle of the shot seems more in focus than the rest, which is somewhat distracting. I'd have been tempted to blur it very lightly to reach the same level as the rest of the hair. As Laurie says, a tad more sharpness on the eyes may be an improvement.

"High Above Hoover"
by tfarrell23

Comment:
Congrats on your 4th place - definitely deserved a ribbon.

Forever Love was the last thing I was looking for...
by Kavey

Comment:
Excellent lighting. I like the vertical gradient and the shadow on the right. I'm not sure if it's just my monitor, but on the LHS these seems to be a secondary shadow that's sort of disconnected form the right itself? I'm also not keen on the halo at the bottom-left of the ring - it makes the finish look somewhat harsh. The same seems to be in the top right.

I like the centrality of the composition, although I think I may have moved it slightly further right? I know it's centred with the shadow, but I think because it's reasonably pale it looks very slightly unbalanced.

I think the position of the rings is excellent - you get a good feel of depth. I think the shot is very slightly soft though?

I can see where you're coming from with serendipity, and as it's a particularly difficult challenge I think it meets the challenge.

For me the shot has a lot going for it, but I think it lacks that extra 'sheen' that would make it a top quality shot.