Bye bye 2009...
by ladibug

Comment:
OK, I'm going through the Free Study submissions, purposefully finding those images I think are shot with a less conventional eye - this is one of those images! Thanks for offering something that isn't just DPC friendly eye-candy (though of course there's nothing wrong with eye-candy). I'll be picking one of these images for the Mu (most underrated) award:

Positives: A very interesting feel here, not sure whether this is inside or outside - reminds of a recreated street in a museum of some sort. The lighting is quite strange (in a good way), both flat and with depth at the same time. The overall subject matter confuses just as much, there is a lot of mystery in the figure, especially in relation to their position with respect to the rest of the scene.

Critical stuff: All of the above really, the flip side of the mystery is that the image does conspire to confound and thus frustrate a little.

Overall: Made me stop, made me think.... Do I like it? I still don't know.

Camouflage
by ChikaZAWa

Comment:
OK, I'm going through the Free Study submissions, purposefully finding those images I think are shot with a less conventional eye - this is one of those images! Thanks for offering something that isn't just DPC friendly eye-candy (though of course there's nothing wrong with eye-candy). I'll be picking one of these images for the Mu (most underrated) award:

Positives: I really like the way this has an abstract feel to it - it offers something of having an overlay (but without the overlay!) Other than the plant the rest of the scene looks like it is shrink wrapped in plastic. Going back to the plant - I think it is a vital element in the image, it anchors the eye and allows it to wander out and explore. It would be a chaotic image without it. I also like the brown/blue/green colour palette.

Critical stuff: I do wish the head / tops of eyes were a tad sharper, though I can see that this might diminish the camouflage effect.

Overall: A well constructed and edited image.

Earnest Little Beggar
by MaryO

Comment:
This pretty amazing really - squirrel shots are 10 a penny (done a bunch myself) but this 'pose', this lighting and this background elevate this image to something rather special.

Financial Crisis Forecasting
by ekmai

Comment:
This is very well done.

penumbral
by skewsme

Comment:
OK, I'm going through the Free Study submissions, purposefully finding those images I think are shot with a less conventional eye - this is one of those images! Thanks for offering something that isn't just DPC friendly eye-candy (though of course there's nothing wrong with eye-candy). I'll be picking one of these images for the Mu (most underrated) award:

Positives: This interesting for a number of reasons, not least your aspect ratio. It does work though, it conveys a sense of the branches reaching up to the sun, try to glean as much as possible from the paltry light you have shown us. The sun itself obscured through the cloud is almost moon-like in its curtailed intensity. Most of all though, I like the detail you have captured in the lower clouds and the way that contrasts with the flatter, textureless majority of the image.

Critical stuff: Nothing at all really - any change would upset the balance you have created.

Overall: A very effective and well crafted image.

In the garden of the silent singing sculptures
by rooum

Comment:
OK, I'm going through the Free Study submissions, purposefully finding those images I think are shot with a less conventional eye - this is one of those images! Thanks for offering something that isn't just DPC friendly eye-candy (though of course there's nothing wrong with eye-candy). I'll be picking one of these images for the Mu (most underrated) award:

Positives: I like the way this is more about shape and 'flow' than it is about the subjects themselves. The light is also effective and somewhat suggestive of care headlights - the feel you get when driving deserted roads at night. I like the coloration too - the near monochrome works very well.

Critical stuff: Somehow I wish it was a little softer to emphasise the flowing shape, a long exposure in the wind may have offered such an effect but then of course it would be a different image. I suppose I mean that the degree of sharpness you have offered here offers a little too much for the mood I get from the image.

Overall: An intriguing and effective image.

The Vortex
by fisheye

Comment:
OK, I'm going through the Free Study submissions, purposefully finding those images I think are shot with a less conventional eye - this is one of those images! Thanks for offering something that isn't just DPC friendly eye-candy (though of course there's nothing wrong with eye-candy). I'll be picking one of these images for the Mu (most underrated) award:

Positives: It definitely lives up to its title, the sense of 'vortex' is very well communicated. It does work as an abstract.

Critical stuff: It is very harsh on the eyes - the limited number of shades and the banding make this an image than strays beyond abstract into something which is quite unphoto-like.

Overall: I'm sure you've pulled off the look you wanted but it's not an image I get a lot out of.

Sunrise
by njsabs

Comment:
Always wondered where you did your floaty shots - makes perfect sense now. It is of course wonderful. Some interesting choices here - the high contrast face and the unsharp slow moving elements. The piercing eyes are captivating.

I Don't Likey Santa!
by dahlin

Comment:
OK, I'm going through the Free Study submissions, purposefully finding those images I think are shot with a less conventional eye - this is one of those images! Thanks for offering something that isn't just DPC friendly eye-candy (though of course there's nothing wrong with eye-candy). I'll be picking one of these images for the Mu (most underrated) award:

Positives: This funny and really well executed too. I like the way Santa and Mrs seem t be completely unfazed! Could that child be crying any harder??

Critical stuff: I can see why you did it but a monochrome santa does seem to lack something.

Overall: A great candid shot - well made.

Street With No Name
by noraneko

Comment:
OK, I'm going through the Free Study submissions, purposefully finding those images I think are shot with a less conventional eye - this is one of those images! Thanks for offering something that isn't just DPC friendly eye-candy (though of course there's nothing wrong with eye-candy). I'll be picking one of these images for the Mu (most underrated) award:

Positives: There's lots to look at here and the the light is very interesting. I really like the moon too. The road has an interesting quality to it.

Critical stuff: I think the intrinsic interest in the scene might fall short of that needed to please the voters.

Overall: A nice image which benefits from a sympathetic edit but one which in the final analysis may not have enough to give.