Take a hold of my heart and with my wings I will soar
by Judi

Comment:
Well done Judi! I knew this was blue material as soon as I saw it. Very, very well executed.

Flying Lessons
by MeMex2

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: What a quirky image! There is loads of potential in this scene, a great set up!

Negative stuff: What a shame! I think with a good edit this would be very nice indeed but at the moment it just cries out for some (software) attention.

Overall: A disappointing image but not because of the photography but the way that it says 'sub-optimal' so very loudly. Perhaps you don't have access to the necessary software or simply prefer a 'straight-out-the-camera' look but for me this is almost criminally under-edited.

I'm revisiting this - all of the above sounds quite harsh now I read it back. I do want to emphasise that I really, really like the idea behind the shot.

Spin That DJ
by Magnumphotography

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: Effective environmental portrait which captures the essence of the art - makes you look into the image.

Critical stuff: I think the overall luminosity level of image around the edges is problematical - I think I'd have taken that right down.

Overall: An interesting image offering a welcome diversion from mainstream Free Study offerings.

Bliss
by laposto

Comment:
This is a really lovely portrait image.

The 1961 Chevy and the Chuck Taylors: Leftovers of the All-American
by geinafets

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: This is a great image - I can see how it is probably a Shoes outtake but there is enough other stuff going on for this to live comfortably in Free Study company. The coloration is fabulous and I've seen that blue and brown be styled together in a range of contexts. The sharp texture in the carpet helps to draw the eye too.

Critical stuff: Not much but I do wonder if the image might be augmented with a vignette.

Overall: I really like this image, the gentle colours help offer an image that is really easy on the eyes.

My name is Gladiator !!
by wingyisleeds

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: The bold processing has caused me to take pause and look more carefully at this image to to to discern what you were going for here. I can see that your curves manipulation do offer some drama - a bit like a lighting bolt effect in an old 'B' movie.

Critical stuff: Some of the tones here are just plain wrong to my eye and the very prominent foreground texture is quite distracting and it takes up too much of the frame.

Overall: The basic scene has potential but the final result falls short of the mark to my eye.

Midnight Haunted
by pjotre7

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives:What a strange an eerie scene. Although the trees have a highly processed look, the subtle coloration of the house serves to tone down the whole image. The sense of moonlight is very well communicated.

Negative stuff: I still wonder whether the trees are a little overdone for an optimal look.

Overall: A very effective image and one that makes a strong contribution to the variety in this month's Free Study.

The Descent
by mgarsteck

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives:Great strong vertical and horizontal elements - you have somehow managed to maintain great clarity whilst introducing a lovely softness - Nik Software's Duplex filter?? There is just something about this image that holds my attention - surprisingly compelling for such a simple composition.

Critical stuff: Nothing at all

Overall: This all hangs together really - somehow it's more than the sum of its part.

Rainy Day Pond, Two
by dtallakson

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: This is a really colourful image but there is a lot more to it too! The colour pattern is intriguing and it makes me want to know what is being reflected - it makes me think of Vegas! The ripples are of course brilliant and make the image.

Critical stuff: Nothing really.

Overall: A bold, semi-abstract image that manages to communicate much about environment whilst maintaining ample mystery.

The Snow Princess
by gsal

Comment:
I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.

Positives: Another gsal masterpiece, I never get fed up of seeing these and your high contrast treatment always makes your portraits stand out from the crowd. I'd love to know what your editing work flow is to get this 'look'. Your model does you proud here - the straight on gaze, the hair into her mouth adds drama. The narrow depth of field and nailed focus adds plenty too. I was going to say we didn't need to 2nd figure and suggest a square crop, but if I do that with a piece of paper I can see that I'd be wrong - the 2nd figure add spatial context to the viewer - your model looks pasted into place without the figure there to anchor the scene.

Critical stuff: Nothing at all.

Overall: Superb portrait.