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.

soto voce
by mpeters

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 mysterious (that comment was typed by my 8 year old while I was making tea and I couldn't have put it better myself). Though I will add 'Wow!' look at the distant reflection - fantastic. The lighting here is sensational - as shot or augmented with something like Viveza or Sliver Efex Pro using control points? I'm a fan of the deep piano shadow too.

Critical stuff: Nothing at all.

Overall: Artistically and technically, a very impressive image.

Message edited by author 2009-12-08 05:29:06.

Contemplation
by BarbB

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 image. The unusual POV really works and the wrap / fabric is fascinating. There are a few good example of off focus images in this challenge and this is right up there.

Critical stuff: Not a lot really - some of the positive stuff above means that we are a little confounded and because of that the image is a little difficult to interpret.

Overall: A very unusual image but one which I am pleased to have had the opportunity to view.

Bourbon Street
by aplomb76

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: What an interesting scene - full of seedy goodness! It makes me wonder what time of day you shot this. I really like your colour treatment here (looks a little like the 'duplex' filter in Nik's Color Efex Pro.

Critical stuff: The whole image looks like it needs rotating a fraction of a degree clockwise.

Overall: An interesting scene, well captured.

Path to a Dream
by senor_kasper

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: High in mystery, steeped in mist! It would have been really easy to take this down a monochrome route but it really is well served by the colour. The well saturated green conspires with the mist to actually make me feel damp just looking at it.

Critical stuff: I think I might have shot a bit further on and cleared the overhanging tree, though of course you would have then missed the excellent slanty one to the right and you might have got your camera wet too!

Overall: a compelling image - I like it.

Message edited by author 2009-12-08 05:34:37.

The paper factory
by Runeber

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 smokey / misty feel and good handling of a high contrast scene. I like the 'starburst' lights too.

Critical stuff: The non-vertical chimney is driving me nuts!!

Overall: A bit un-engaging for me but pretty well executed.

Untitled
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 love the coloration here - I have a shot in my head that needs to be coloured this way; I hope you might share your colouring workflow. This is a fine and moody scene but your PP is so well matched that it elevates the scene to a whole new level. The composition is pretty fabulous too.

Critical stuff: Nothing at all.

Overall: A great image that is made special by the PP.

For a Song
by muur88

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 well composed street shot - there are a few elements I really like - his red hood (I really like the saturation on that), the blue 'A' frame and the overhanging frame' which means I like pretty much everything! You somehow get the impression that he is playing to just himself here and it makes me wonder why he favours this spot.

Critical stuff: It won't appeal to everybody - "there is no wow here, nothing to see, move along..." Whoever says that would be wrong, perhaps there isn't a lot of 'wow' but there is certainly plenty to see.

Overall: A good street photo with some interesting elements.