Crepe Myrtle's Trunk
by npasel

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):

Positives: This is certainly intriguing tree - both in shape and colouration. You have captured it with a degree of ambiguity, you have shown me much of its shape but I still can't envisage what it looks like, you communicate some texture yet I can't tell if the branches are rough or smooth. If I was there, I'd want to reach out to touch it to test the surface for myself. Then there is the light.... was it really this orange or this is some post processed hue?

Critical stuff: All of the above require some viewer faith in the image. Your photo needs to hold the viewer long enough to buy the time for exploration; and if I'm honest, I'm not sure this shot has enough initial impact to persuade people to stay around long enough...

Overall: There is plenty of interest here but without a hook to get people to stay I feel it's unlikely people will appreciate this shot.

Vacationers
by Bear_Music

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):

Positives: This is such a vibrant image - the heavy colouration communicates lots of life to the scene and as such it complements the composition and adds to the atmosphere. There is lots to look at here and my eye finds its way around very nicely, guided by the bridge, the canopy of the boat and onward to the shore. I like the perspective and depth to this shot and also the small details - the copious and varied bags, the house across the water and the wonderful clouds.

Critical stuff: I wonder if it is ever so slightly over-sharpened, something I'm prone to do myself - I say this because of the prominent vertical posts which frame the scene - they seem to stand out just a tad over-prominently. Having said that, I have gone looking for stuff to be critical about!

Overall: A great scene, well captured and one that is full of life.

Nelson Grain
by aprudhomme

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):

Positives: This is an interesting and contrasty edit. I think it works well with the subject. It actually reminds of a few computer games I have played (particularly Far Cry 2) since the image looks a little like a software render. I like the way this image has clearly delineated zones - the grass, the structure and the sky.

Critical thoughts: Although I think you have made the best of this scene, I'm not convinced that there is enough intrinsic interest in this scene to engage a viewer.

Overall, a nice image with particularly effective contrast.

217
by bvy

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):

Positives: I really like all sorts of things about this image; the composition, the muted palette and most of all the POV.

Critical stuff: Not too much - you clearly had a vision for this image and you have pulled it off very well indeed.

Overall: A very competent image which communicates a particular intrinsic intent.

Coca-Cola Goats
by Bpaige

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):

Positives: What a scene! Not something we see every day, so this is a seen certainly worth capturing. The composition is very good, as is the focus.

Critical stuff: I wonder if you missed a trick here. I can't help wondering how this would have looked shot from below knee height looking up at the goats but perhaps you are leaning over a fence or something that would make this impossible.

Overall: A nice image which lacks interest beyond the curiosity value of the goats on a Coke box.

catalogue reader
by undieyatch

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):

Positives: Blurry, grainy but strangely it works really well - I think much of the effectiveness comes from the point of view. This is set up to trick the mind into thinking we are view a covert surveillance camera. Once that idea is fixed in our head , a 'low fidelity' image is perfectly in keeping with our expectation.

Critical stuff: All of the above! (or potentially for some viewers anyway). I'm sure you know that you won't win over legions of fans with this image but if you'd have wanted that you'd have entered something else.

Overall: A brave entry which offers a pure vision. Personally, I quite like it.

An Evening Soak
by signal2noise

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):

Positives: This is a really pretty image which captures the mood of the scene really well. The candle light gives great warmth to the image and you have had the good sense to trust in the light and colour offered by its glow. Of course, it is the relatively narrow depth of field that makes this image; it wouldn't have been nearly so effective if we could see more facial detail.

Critical stuff: Not a lot really - it might have stood a tighter crop but that's about it.

Overall: A really nice image which deserves to do well.

Think Box
by Tlee05

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):

Positives: I really like this image - I particularly like the lighting, it the bulb all that was used, I suspect not. The box itself is interesting, even more so is the reason why the writer is in there. The typewriter make the image - it's colour match the whole sense of 70's revival. Great stuff.

Critical stuff: Perhaps just the crop, I'd like to have seen just a little more space behind his arm.

Overall: An entertaining and compelling image.

CarnEvil
by magenmarie

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):

Positives: This is a very bold image! I really, really like it. I think the portrait crop with the sun just off the top works superbly. I think you have made a really brave decision with the exposure and it has paid off in spades.

Critical stuff: Not much, I suppose the cropped wheel is a little distracting but the rest of the image easily carries this deficit.

Overall: A great image, I'm very pleased to have had the opportunity to view it.

My 2nd Choice - Abstract Macro: Fence
by 777STAN

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):

Positives: If I consider this image within the context of its original purpose (abstract macro), I can see that it is reasonably effective in offering an interesting texture to look at - in fact this might be a great image to use as an overlay.

Critical stuff: Try as I might, I can't talk myself into being a fan of this image. Technically, the focus/ DOF and the apparent chromatic aberration are distracting and artistically I'm just not convinced there's enough going on to engage a viewer.

Overall: I'm afraid I'm not a fan, I'm going to 'fess up and let you know that I'm going to give a well considered but nonetheless harsh 2. Sorry.