Pocket Change Improvisations
by bassbone

Comment:
One of the better street performer images in the challenge. I guess it's the lighting that "makes" it. Bump to 8.

Mean Street Smarts
by Herblacklist12

Comment:
Bumping to 10. Excellent challenge interpretation. Street smarts is the first thing this image makes me think of. The blur and blown highlights somehow add to the non-conventional feel. That's what the street is about, right? Like the off-centered composition as well. My choice for blue ribbon.

Lessons Learned on The Street
by Ivory

Comment:
10 from me. Such simple composition and yet such a perfect challenge interpretation. My choice for red ribbon.

An Ingenious Gentleman Of Our Days
by nutzito

Comment:
Very good portrait, seems to capture the essence of the individual. I don't normally like a point of view from below the face, but here it seems to work well.

In My Hood - Ode to 50 Cent
by elizadeb

Comment:
Very good challenge rendition, facial expression and contrast with the t-shirt. There's something about it that I don't really like... I think it's the background with it's dominating mid-tone gray.

Walking to work.. And loving every second of it!
by Graeme44

Comment:
Wouldn't normally care for the blown sky, or the cut-legs composition, but matches the challenge perfectly so a high score from me. Suggestion for blown overcast sky: convert to black & white. The colored stripes steal too much attention from the face anyway.

Busted
by Tom

Comment:
The street is here, not sure where the smarts are :) Good candid.

Big Bowl
by Hoser

Comment:
Hmmmm - excellent! Magnificent sky - that really makes the photo! Very often people forget when shooting landscapes that one of the crucial elements is... the sky.

I agree with previous comment that horizon should not be in the middle - I've made that mistake myself many times. Now the problem is - where do you move it, up or down? You don't want to cut out the canyon, but you don't want to crop that great sky either! Tough choice, I guess maybe on the spot, through the lens, it's easier to make this decision.

Yes, colors are muted and hazy, but I don't think there is anything you could have done differently photographically - this is properly exposed. Any more and you would have blown out the sky. So either shoot at a different time of day (not easy, it's not like this view is from your backyard, I know) or maybe a GND filter?

Now, this problem can be somewhat solved in Photoshop. I will give it a quick go later and see if the beautiful tones and textures in the rock can be brought back to life.

Great shot.

Matei

Edit: oh, and the close-up rock in the bottom left contributes more to the balance and "impact" of the image than it would seem at first glance.

Message edited by author 2007-11-15 11:35:19.

Lake Ella Church
by bennettjamie

Comment:
I actually like the composition here quite a bit... I think the church the upper left is balanced by the strong reds in the tree in the bottom right. Unfortunately, the church spire gets lost a bit in the sky, which is about the same intensity.

Again - tough scene to expose properly. Trees are a bit underexposed (no other way to get the sky in right). Plus the lighting on the trees is a bit "flat" which is a pity given the nice colors. I would suggest bringing the trees back with Levels adjustement in Photoshop. I also enhanced the contrast on the church a little bit, not entirely sure that worked well though:



Message edited by author 2007-11-15 10:11:42.

Whole World in His Hands
by michael_p

Comment:
Hey - best score without a bug / bird / flower! That's first place in my book ;)