urban surfer
by nixter

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: Great use of motion blur here and the monochrome treatment is an excellent choice. I even like the bold border. It would be tempting to reject this image due to the primary subject being this unsharp but I'm glad you've had the confidence to ignore such restrictive conventions.

Critical stuff: Nothing at all.

Overall: Great stuff.

Push
by SaraR

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: Wow, I love this - has a slight dougi555 feel about it but I'm really not sure - I'd expect to see higher contrast across the whole frame if it were, but then the emphasis on the sphere would be lost. I really like the way the image is about so many things - the building, the figure, the sphere, the water - all there, all contributing but none dominating to the exclusion of the other elements.

Critical stuff: I still wonder about how it would look with a crisper, more contrasty background / building-scape....

Overall: A very fine image of a most interesting scene.

Misty Morning!
by ikopanas

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 is a very nice minimalistic landscape. If I was going to guess on the photographer I would say: signal2noise. I love this coloration, it works so well with the mist and the off-centeredness of the tree is perfect.

Critical stuff: Nothing at all.

Overall: Very nice minimalistic image.

tired kid
by FourPointX

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: Intriguing set-up; and one that you have committed to fully. I do appreciate the sharing of the vision.

Critical stuff: My luke-warm-at-best comment above has probably tipped you off that I'm not a great fan of this image. I'll try and let you know why. Although the kid in the tire is effective as a compositional element I find the tree top right to add little to the image. Then there is the foreground figure - clearly he is a fundamental component in the image but if I'm honest I don't like him being there - his form holds blown highlights, edge fringing and an unattractive blur.

Overall: I like what you've tried to pull off but I think you have over-played your vision here and have lost something as a result. It does offer something different from the mainstream though - so thanks for offering it up.

What Nightmares Are Made Of
by Hipychik

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 is certainly a challenging image that makes us throw away our preconceptions of stereotypically captured moments like this. An image that is full of candour. The flat lighting serves to emphasise the and reflect the discomfort there is in viewing this image.

Critical stuff: All of the above - this isn't one for the wall!

Overall: An interesting and brave choice for the FS - one that actually makes me, the longer I look at it, begin to wonder about the real lives and circumstances of these people. It's funny - writing this comment and staying here long enough while I do that has given me enough time to appreciate the image. I really do want to know more about the context here. It took a while to bite but the hook is there!

Majestic Flight of the Lowly Pigeon
by sheila99

Comment:
Unusual to see a pigeon shot with this colour palette. I really love soft but sharp feathering. Very well captured image.

Blown Machinery
by marcusvdt

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 one jumps right out at you, the contrast between the red machines and the blue sky makes the image for me. The POV accentuates the size of these beasts too.

Critical stuff: Although I like the tone mapping. I think I'd have tried to do something to suppress some of the haloing. Also, some of the highlights in the clouds are blown which is a little distracting.

Overall: Quite a powerful image, certainly one worth offering up in a FS.

SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE : Sagkahan Slum, Philippines
by hotpasta

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 effective image done with journalistic intent - serves to remind us what we have. The POV makes the image; I'm trying to work out from where you shot this. It does work very well.

Critical stuff: The toning of the monochrome treatment is excellent but I think it adds a level of abstraction which might detract from some of the image's power. The slight skewing of reality allows us the luxury to see a photo rather than life - I imagine this monochrome version is a better photo but I'm not sure it is better journalism.

Overall: Great choice for FS - I thank you for bringing us the real world.

Autumn Vibrancy
by temba

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: Very interesting abstract image - suggests a neon forest (if there was such a thing). The density of the trails is just right and I really like the colour variance from top to bottom.

Critical stuff: Some of the highlights towards the bottom are a little blown and if I'm honest I think this does detract from your otherwise excellent execution.

Overall: A very attractive vibrant image.

If only their words were heard...............
by kaiser_chief

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: Great perspective, composition and story. I think you're very brave to offer this up in the FS for the voters - a vote splitter for sure. However, I think there is much to reward the patient viewer - the guy in the doorway, the bottle in the hand of the other guy - nothing contrived here; it offers a raw feel.

Critical stuff: Just the above really, the image is what it is and it will appeal to a minority.

Overall: Good, gritty work.