Breaking the Bonds
by karmat

Comment:
My first impression was that a metal chain would have been better. But the image would not have been nearly so striking. And the more I consider it, there are lots of things in all of our lives that limit our freedom, but that with the same effort as breaking a plastic chain (not insignificant, but not impossible) we could break out of and be more free. So to me, this photo not only catches the eye, but has a great symbolic meaning.

extraordinary little girl
by parrothead

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

The message
A beautiful setting, and the image has a nice soft and peaceful mood. And it does make the girl seem extraordinary!

Creative choices
The photo seems setup, not that there is anything particularly wrong with that, but having the beginnings of a painting on the paper and some paint on the palette would have made it more realistic and effective. I also think this would have worked better in landscape mode, with lots of space in front of the model. (Or maybe I just want to see what she's thinking of painting!) The setting works well, and the colors are great. The soft focus is perfect.

Technical aspects
The overall exposure is fine, but the girl and her easel are too dark. A fill-in flash might have remedied this, or perhaps a Levels adjustment could have helped a bit.

Saturday Night
by ayale

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

The message
I think this photo nicely conveys the passion and excitement of a guitar concert. It doesn't really say "extraordinary" to me; the sound of the guitar can't really be expressed visually. But the mood comes through loud and clear!

Creative choices
The minimalist approach works well here; the silhouetted guitar, rim-lit player, and bright lights are all that's needed to tell the story. The red color and digital noise effectively set the mood. I would have preferred the black space in front of him, where I can imagine the audience, rather than behind him.

Technical aspects
Exposure is just right to achieve the desired effect. Focus is perfect. There are a few stray light spots, but removing them wasn't possible for this challenge and they frankly don't detract from the image.

Gizelle
by Malokata

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

The message
A beautiful painting-style portrait of a woman who seems intelligent and mysterious as well as attractive.

Creative choices
The red background really brings out the model's skin color. The simple top is wrinkled just right to give a classic "draped" look, although the outline of her bra showing through add a modern touch. The digital noise is effective here, adding to the painted look.

Technical aspects
Focus is fine. Exposure was dark, but adequately saved with Photoshop. The color around the edge of her hair seems off, but is otherwise great.

All Aboard
by puma

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

The message
A nice travel shot of a woman who is certainly enjoying herself. It tells a story and would certainly bring back memories for the subject. It isn't what I would consider a studio portrait.

Creative choices
Pose is nice. Sunglasses are distracting. Composition is good, with the background train well placed. Lighting is harsh.

Technical aspects
Focus is good. Exposure is fine; although parts of the background are burned out, the model's face is exposed well. The digital noise in her face and the train doesn't detract from the photo, but could have been avoided by using a lower ISO.

Photographers portrait
by birgir

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

The message
A creative portrait with a contemporary style. It gives me the impression of someone who is serious but hip and maybe a bit mysterious.

Creative choices
There is a bit too much contrast here for a really effective portrait, and the bright spot in the background grabs attention, distracting from the subject. But the point of view and tilted look are great. The composition is a bit unbalanced, but it seems to work anyway.

Technical aspects
The wide dynamic range makes this technically difficult to capture, but it was adequately done (better lighting would have made exposure a lot easier!).

Funny Girl (my first portrait attempt)
by Bassie

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

The message
A nice portrait that shows off some of the girl's personality. She seems bubbly, exuberant, and (yes!) funny. Someone who would be a joy to be with.

Creative choices
The model's expression is great, and really "makes" this photo. The striped shirt works well, as does the hat. The lighting doesn't seem right, although I don't have enough experience myself to say just what's wrong; the shadows just seem strange. I like the centered composition (after all, she likes to be the "center of attention", right!). But I think cropping off the bottom third (at about her elbows) would give the portrait more impact.

Technical aspects
This photo is technically perfect. Focus, exposure, color are all great.

Veronique
by sahko

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

The message
A stunning portrait, with universal appeal. It gives me the impression she is young, a bit gangling, intense, and sexy. Well deserving of a top ten placement.

Creative choices
Using a wide angle focal length is unusual and risky for portraits, but it works well here combined with the low point of view and the model's pose. Lighting is effective, giving a strong but not too harsh shadows.

Technical aspects
Focus is perfect and nicely soft. Very slightly overexposed, burning out some of the skin, but certainly not seriously so. Color rendition is slightly warm, perfect for portraiture.

Saint Mary's Lake
by jodiecoston

Comment:
What depth! And all in sharp focus. Magnificant.

Cute slug
by Bela45

Comment:
I'm not sure "cute" is the right word, but it is certainly fascinating! Great lighting and composition. The background works really well.