Worm Hole
by davidw

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 my Mu (most underrated) award:

Positives: What a vibrant image! I think this would've done pretty well in 'twisted'. I like the way the colours change in a radial fashion.

Critical stuff: Though this is a pretty image, I'm not sure it has enough going on to keep the viewer interested.

Overall: I think you managed to achieve a vision here, I just have my doubts about how compelling (or otherwise) that vision is.

In Your Dreams
by briantammy

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 my Mu (most underrated) award:

Positives: This is a lovely flowing near abstract image with enough solidity for the eye to latch onto - it actually took me a moment before the reference points kicked in and my brain understood what it is looking at. The overall effect is wonderful.

Critical stuff: Nothing really - perhaps a more landscape aspect ratio would be more effective but that's just me trying to put something n this section!

Overall: Great stuff!

The Old Mill
by AmeedEl-Ghoul

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 my Mu (most underrated) award:

Positives: Just plain beautiful. The compositional elements conspire to offer something more than the sum of its parts. You have captured so much detail in your silhouettes but I love how you have kept the door visible. The way you have captured the light is wonderful.

Critical stuff: You know, I can't think of a single thing.

Overall: Wonderful image.

Motion
by badger88

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 my Mu (most underrated) award:

Positives: Great sharp focus on the foreground bird tail and I like the frantic motion in the scene - you've managed to offer a frozen moment while maintaining a sense of real time. Monochrome was exactly the way to go - I'm not at all sure colour would be nearly so effective.

Critical stuff: Not too much - I would perhaps like to have seen slightly more of the scene but without knowing what the whole frame looked like, I can't be critical of your choice.

Overall: A really god shot which rewards a longer look.

Aquamarine
by aznym

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 my Mu (most underrated) award:

Positives: This image has instant appeal for me - I can't explain why, it's an image that I feel rather than just look at. I know that sounds cheesy but its true. I love the grain, the light, the bubbles, the large diameter ripple, the colour and even the centred composition. I love all of that but most of all I like the orientation / POV - it's not easy to identify 'up'. I feel underwater.

Critical stuff: Nothing at all, really nothing.

Overall: Just fabulous - an instant favourite. 10 - no question.

terms of service
by saloonstudios

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 my Mu (most underrated) award:

Positives: Sometimes in this comment series I comment on images that appeal more widely than others - this is one of those! I've got to admire the ambition of this shot; what a setup. The overall composition of the shot is great, bags of story and it is well shot.

Critical stuff: The lighting - something looks off here; when I speculate on this I have to consider whether everything behind the two guys is an illusion - once that thought enters my head it is such a good fit for what I am seeing that I can't shake it.

Overall: an effective image but.... if the background is real, you have done yourself an injustice by over lighting the foreground and if it is an illusion then you could be on dodgy ground rules-wise. Having said that - perhaps you have given enough clues here to make a case that you haven't pulled the wool over anybody's eyes and if that's case you've actually got it just right!

sleight of hand
by cutout

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 my Mu (most underrated) award:

Positives: This is a very eclectic image - I like that! It becomes really interesting when I start to consider how to pull it off. Fortuitous, or did you vision this image before you started; either way it is a compelling image. The hand as it overlaps with the leg(?) looks quite frightening; the thumb nail looks talon-like - I know it isn't but that is how it looks.

Critical stuff: Size - this is a small image, too small really - I presume this is a small crop of a larger image and if I'm honest the thought of that detracts a little, I'd like to believe this was an intentional, crafted shot - perhaps it is, but the small size offers some doubt.

Overall: I shouldn't be too harsh, I do like it.

The Setting
by JustinM

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 my Mu (most underrated) award:

Positives:Great colours and texture, reminds me of - I really love the bit of lens flare; for me this is the key to the image - it communicates the light in the scene like no other element.

Critical stuff: The un-vertical chapel, it must be intentional but I'm not keen. The composition could be a little better, the transection of the left hand flower pot is slightly bothersome too.

Overall: Certainly a charming scene which benefits from great light. A well seen image which (I think) could be a little better with slightly different composition.

Nature Watcher
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 my Mu (most underrated) award:

Positives: Sometimes in this comment series I comment on an image which has wide not 'just' niche appeal - this is one of those images. I find the composition here inspired, convention would say shoot a landscape or shoot a portrait, you've done both without compromising either genre / vision. I love the wide perspective and how the lines of the jetty add perspective to the image and your placement of the horizon in the centre of the image is so perfect! I don't need to go on about the reflection, we can see it's great but look at the reflection of the centre tree, I note how it isn't clipped by the jetty - I some how don't think that is serendipitous, the image is so well crafted I convinced you have considered every element.

Critical stuff: The sky doesn't really live up to the rest of the image but there probably isn't too much you can do here without specialised software - if you're ever in the market for it, I know that Nik Software's 'Viveza' would give you loads of great (and quick) options to add drama here. However, I do appreciate that 'dressing up' the landscape in such a manner might detract from what is a compelling portrait so perhaps you have made the right choice.

Overall: I love this - it communicates a level of crafted-ness which often makes me give a 10. Bravo!!

eclipse
by Deen

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 my Mu (most underrated) award:

Positives: This looks like a real excellent outtake from missed focus - I'd have given it a 10 in that challenge. There are so many interesting facets to this image - the first thing I wonder about is the scale of the image, this is quite ambiguous and all the better for it. Next the surface - what is it? I even really tell if it is a hard of soft surface - once again this works in your favour. Then the lines running across the water - thinking about it, we can't even confirm that, perhaps its oil of some sort..... then I look at the lower border of the fluid, it looks in relief, demonstrate a clear meniscus - most intriguing!

Critical stuff: Not much - I'd perhaps question the cropping of the puddle on the left but since I don't know what's there, I can't really judge.

Overall - quite marvellous really, I hope people give it enough time, this isn't one for the drive-by merchants but a patient viewing implores me to give an 8 or 9 (in a free study context). I've gone for 9 - after all I have been most intrigued! Really great stuff!