Untitled
by epescala

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club:

This images benefits from really nice coloration but also the way you have managed to manipulate the depth of field/plane of focus to bring extraordinary focus to that small part of the leaf works really well.

The image certainly works as a near-abstract but for this challenge I imagine if it wasn't a pure abstract or laden with story it may have been hard for folks to compare it to other images. Looking at the number of comments you received I suspect the image fell between posts.

It is a really capable and effective image though and on its absolute merits probably deserves more than the sub-5 score it receive. Stick this is a natural abstract challenge and it would return you a great result.

Paul

Hello? Anybody... Hello?
by epescala

Comment:
This is superb.

pull
by posthumous

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club:

Pleased to pick this one up - as you know I didn't vote on this one and my comment in voting was pranksterish.

I think what I like most about this is its distinctiveness - it looks like one yours. Also, the whole image feels more than a little dangerous to me - the animal seems exotic; a panther perhaps.... I'm immediately reminded of images of the Beast of Bodmin. The leash looks lethal, like the trail of some special effects bullet - indeed the end appears to stop prior to the beast like a bullet frozen in mid air.

The tones are just fine and contribute to the feeling of the image, conspiring to reveal and obscure with simultaneous effect.

Compelling and distinctive.

Paul

Chips in Space
by DiscoVader

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club:

I think this is both imaginative and effective - especially within a challenge that didn't make it easy to achieve either.

I like the ambiguity of the foreground chips and I really like the darkness of the whole piece - in fact I think that's the key to the whole shot, lose that and it would be much more ordinary.

I have to say though, your image didn't convey notions of space-borne chips but rather like a dim low sun rising above an ocean casting weak and early light onto the crests of waves - the foreground blurry chips forming a blurry foam of surf. That's a lot to convey with a few chips!

Good job.

doll
by khamael

Comment:
Greeting from the Critique Club:

Well, if you are going to shoot between neck and knee it would be a shape not to shoot this! It is a very interesting bikini after all ;-)

I like how this is suggestive of a Bond movie and I also like how the play of shadows on her skin creates interesting lines - like the way we can see she is wearing sun glasses.

Body and bikini aside - I think we need to ask what added value your photographic choices made.... the most eclectic choice you made was the lateral crop - was this the full frame? I actually think this is a good choice but it may not be for everyone.

I think the coloration is bang on, it creates a feel-good sunny impression.

If I had one criticism it would be the story - or lack of it; your close crop constrains our view... I wonder how this would look in landscape orientation with more to her left and right; the inclusion of some environment context is often goos for story telling; of course you may have just spared us more sea!

Paul

Exposed along the Path
by ph0t0trip

Comment:
Greetings for the Critique Club:

I didn't vote in this challenge so I'm looking at this with fresh eyes. I like the left hand side of the picture better than the right - the washed out landscape and the very smooth gradations of blue in the sky is very attractive. I also like how you've divided the image with a strong diagonal element. If I'm honest, this image isn't shouting 'chips' at me but none of the commenters picked upon that so you've clearly communicated enough chippiness!

I think the scrubby bushes atop the outcrop look a tad over sharpened - if you used a global sharpening tool you may wish to invest in something that allows you to selectively sharpen.

Of course the focus of the image is the crumbling rock strata and this is very nicely presented, the play of the light emphasising the texture of the rock.

Overall, although this is competent work, there isn't a huge amount of intrinsic interest in the scene and such your choice of subject probably placed a cap on the maximum score this would pull in.

Paul

outsource
by posthumous

Comment:

Originally posted by bvy: The careful viewer is rewarded with the z-axis. This image is very three dimensional.

Moral to self: Take more care!

The Watcher
by picjunkie

Comment:
Greetings for the Critique Club:

This is a fine dog portrait - no doubt about that. Your conversion is very nice too and for my money, this is sooooooo much better than your 'Would'a Should'a Could'a'. That one isn't even in the same league as this one - in fact not even the same sport. If this image is something honest and interesting like rugby your other image is obscure and hard to look at - like greek wrestling.

Jokes aside - there's lots to like here, the highlight in the dog's left eye, the CND motif on the collar, the slightly grungy window frame with the water-flecked glass and most of all the personality of Sadie shining through. The overall composition is really good too, with her ear tucking into the corner.

You should be pleased with this version - I think it is an optimal edit and I think those are quite rare.

Well made.

Paul

outsource
by posthumous

Comment:
Greeting for the Critique Club:

Typical! First few goes at this Critique Club thing and I get one of yours! Baptism of fire (fitting then, that the wood appears charred!)

OK - time to 'fess up, I gave this a 3 in voting (I've said it now): hopefully the things I didn't like about it are the things that appeal to you.

I'll start off with what I did like - the deep blacks, they have an unusual richness about them, almost luxurious and indulgent, I quite like the white flecks of the wood too and how they suggest a constellation.

So, why the low score... It is of course a very two dimensional piece, completely minimalist in the Z axis, I feel the image acts like a bit of a wall, keeping the viewer out rather than inviting us in to explore. I wonder if the dark, dark tones compound this effect - this image feels like a no go area (no viewers allowed - move on). In voting, that's what I did - I hit you with a bit of a drive-by vote. No such copping out here though.... Being 'forced' to write a long comment is allowing me sufficient time to engage with it and I do declare, its a bit of a grower. If I think back to the challenge brief - all that stuff about light and shade and texture and form - well you've nailed all that.

One thing I do note as I look at it is that I think I would prefer it rotated 90 degrees clockwise. Years ago I had a previous life in geology and with the rotation your image offer nostalgic suggestions of rock strata - the juxtaposition of materials, tree, wood and (suggestion of) rock appeals to me.

Paul

naked
by Rino63

Comment:
Greeting from the Critique Club:

I was one of your 6s so I liked this well enough in voting. Your shallow depth of field, title and subject matter give the image a certain light intimacy that works well. I like the neutral light too, not at all dramatic - it adds to a sense of everyday which again adds to the intimacy because it serves to create a non-posed feel.

Your tones are spot on - quite cool but effective.

Beyond the toes you have created a sense of ambiguity - right foot on left knee (I think) but the background mystifies - I can see from the folds that it is fabric but it isn't at all clear as to how it relates to the body of the subject.

Overall, a simple but well made image.

Paul