Underground
by banmorn

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: You have the exposure and focus across the scene here just right and I suspect that wasn't as straightforward as it might appear. I really like the repeating pattern of the pillars and I particularly like the patterned wall back right of the image.

Critical stuff: Of course, one of the things that makes the scene remarkable - the emptiness limits the amount of intrinsic interest in this scene and that will be a problem for some.

Overall: A very well executed capture of an everyday scene.

just ... a little bit more ...
by goc

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: So many great elements here - the interesting shape of the silhouette, the sharp flowers, the dramatic sky, the wonderful sun and even the contrail / cirrus strip.

Critical stuff: I'm not sure whether I like the small highlights in the foreground but I suspect this is a good call and that pure block black here wouldn't look as good.

Overall: This is an image that gets better and better the longer I look at it and it was pretty good to begin with. 10 and a fav.

Kinkaku-ji
by hopelessoptimist

Comment:
Very well balanced and effective image.

Blue
by John White

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 well crafted image which benefits from great clarity and a bold composition. The mirrored surface offers a great reflection which make the board look like a Flash Gordon rocket! You've captured a real feeling here - looking at the image makes me want to take a deep breath and smell the sea air.

Critical stuff: The very simple composition may not have enough immediate 'ooomph' for rapid-fire voters so I hope they pause long enough to soak in the atmosphere.

Overall: A very clean and fresh image - overall, extremely effective.

Frank
by freakin_hilarious

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: Quite something to pull off a pet portrait and make it edgy. I love the paucity of colour here and the focus and composition is fantastic. I really like the umbrella catchlights too!

Critical stuff: Nothing at all.

Overall: A great image - I wouldn't have expected to like a cat picture as much as this.

land that time forgot
by MichaelC

Comment:
Great landscape - excellent contrasting top and bottom of image.

centrifugal
by krnodil

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: Wonderful use of blur here - the handling is a great match for this composition and colouring too. The aspect ratio works really well and I think you have nailed the composition too.

Critical stuff: Nothing at all

Overall: A great image which really hangs together well.

Paparazzi!
by gsal

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:Fabulous!!! Has gsal written all over it! The focus on the face here is just fantastic, it anchors the composition so well, with the other elements complementing but maintaing a supporting role. The toning here is perfect too. I also really like the stark highlights in the white hat and hood.

Critical stuff: Nothing at all.

Overall: For me, a perfect picture. 10.

A Mouthful
by karenk

Comment:
This one put a big smile on my face.

In all of my splendor
by timfythetoo

Comment:
Excellent portrait - superb lighting and colour.