Let the Sun Shine In
by XMountaineer

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: You've managed to create a real sense of size and looming from your POV and the inclusion of the horizontal structure communicates a sense of three dimensions.

Critical stuff: I will be up front with you and declare that I'm not a fan of this image and I should justify that statement. For me, the overall scene isn't strong enough to carry the image and I don't think you have made choices at the point of shooting or editing to add additional interest to the scene.

Overall: This is a puzzling image for me. You must see something in it or you wouldn't have offered it up for a Free Study. I'm just sorry that I don't see what you do.

3 - Some Sort of Bee or Wasp (ETA or Hoverfly)
by ErikV

Comment:
This is a nice crisp image - I particularly like the foreground bokeh of the flower in the bottom left of the image. It offers a great canvas to the bee.

Colorful Blackbird
by karenk

Comment:
The thumbnail really doesn't do this justice. Great job. I'm hankering for technical details though - especially lens and aperture information.

om nom nom
by Steef

Comment:
I'm a fan of squirrel shots too - this is a good one! You've inspired me to try to put one up in this side challenge.

~ Old Florida ~
by Ja-9

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: Actually, this is quite pretty for something I've picked out for this comment series but it is sufficiently quirky to catch my eye. I really like the POV here - I think the viewer's relative height above the water in relation to the jetty is just right for this scene. The limited colours are interesting - the green overpowers to a degree that the otherwise gaudy yellow text becomes a welcome relief. I like the way the overhanging trees appear to be very soft, as does much of the foliage now I look - I wonder whether a diffuser filter was used or whether something like the 'Glamour Glow' filter in Color Efex Pro was used.

Critical stuff: I feel the image lacks a little bit of depth - you can see there is depth but it isn't that well communicated; I'm not sure why.

Overall: I like this image, it is an interesting scene but in the final analysis, the lack of a sense of depth leaves the viewer less engaged than they might be.

Trail of Light
by mooresauce85rm

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 shot for a Free Study, I applaud your confidence to fill the frame with very little. But wait... those with properly calibrated monitors will find themselves drawn in - eager to look down the corridor , wondering what is around the corner that is just at the edge of our perception.

The light fittings are quite pretty but it is the light they cast on the ceiling that fascinates, especially the colour change... from blue/grey to brown - surely this is a result of your post processing but it is subtle enough to wonder....

Critical stuff: Perhaps the crop is slightly wide - I value the negative space but the real interest in the image is discovering that actually it is full of detail. I think I would have lost a little of the left side with a sacrificial balancing crop on the right too.

Overall: An interesting image which rewards a patient and inquisitive viewer.

The Oxyacetylene Flame
by citymars

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 image benefits from great compositional elements; the structure of the building lends support to your image and serves to frame the elements. This leads us to notice things we might otherwise overlook - like the cabling to the left or the girders within. Although the title alludes to the flame as the focus, I find my eye drawn to the worker's safety tether - it reminds us of his vulnerability and makes us think how extraordinary it us that small, soft creatures such as humans can, so routinely, construct structures so massive.

The colours also work well, the red of the platform, the green of the harness but most of all his polka dot hat!

Critical stuff: Not much to say here, I think it may have been more effective if the whole frame was slightly to the right, thus missing the object you have transected at the left border.

Overal: A very effective image.

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.