Stroll in the Park
by connie

Comment:
Very abstract image. I like the flow of the black into the white and the imagery it evokes for me. The trees look kind of scary, like they would be part of a children's fairytale or a section of a filmed nightmare.

I find the relation to the challenge tenuous, the title doing most of the work, as the image doesn't really say park nor passing time to me - the emotion I see in the photo is much different, but we each have our own perspectives. The composition is interesting, and the fact that its an out of the norm capture from what I normally see here helps boost that interest as well.

I do find it hard to stay invested in the image after taking my first look at it though, it doesn't speak to me for a prolonged period. But that said, I like the originality. I gave it a 5

Enjoying the outdoors
by tyrkinn

Comment:
I love, love, love the richness of color in this image. The greens are just right and they contrast with the rosie-brown of the chair perfectly.

The focus is wonderful, highlights exactly what needs highlighting. Use of available light is great. I like the simple border, it really helps frame an image that I think benefits from framing. The only thing I find distracting is that small area of white over on the left side, a wave perhaps? Its nothing huge, it just seems out of place against these deep colors.

I think the image would pop just that bit more if the blue was a little richer as well, but again, a very minor thing. Overall I think this is a very strong image and well executed. Very nice. I gave a 7.

Waiting Out The Fog
by lennywells

Comment:
Lovely image!

I really enjoy the dynamic the fog plays in this picture. It gives everything a nice ghostly stillness that works well with your title and of course the challenge. The focus looks pretty good, considering the fog gives everything a general haze as it is. The use of natural light works very well.

I wish there was a bit more contrast to the image though, if the ship was a smidge darker, its dark hull being brought out a little more to let it coincide with the silhouette of the bird, I think that would make the image just that much more interesting. It would also help create an even stronger contrast to the grey fog/mist.

I'm not sure about this, but I think a slender border might be helpful too. As it is, the fog glides across the frame, and my eyes tend to trail with it, so a border would be a nice "stopping" point and cradle the image all together.

Two fairly minor points really. All in all this is an excellent capture, great composition, lovely imagery. Well done. I gave a 7.

Happy Times
by Montereykiddo

Comment:
Splendid! This image is so fresh and light. I really enjoy the vivid green of the grass and the richness of the wood in the guitar.

The focus is great, fits the challenge very nicely. I would've liked a bit more light on the young man in the area closest to the bottom of the image, just to lighten it up a bit more, particularly by his face since his hands seem to have some highlighting on them.

I like the composition for the most part, I would've liked to see just a bit more grass around the bottom so it didn't feel like his elbow was being cut off, but really that's a minor point. A very solid image, I find the freshness of it to be my most favorite aspect. Well done. I gave a 7.

Pensioners playing street chess
by RUEDISCHMUTZ

Comment:
I can barely play chess on a small board, can't imagine trying on something that large. Very interesting subject.

It has a snapshot quality due to the dullness of the background and the natural lighting may have something to do with that as well. The focus looks pretty good, it centers on the older man and he is certainly a point of interest. I would've liked to see more of the actual chess board though I think.

I also wonder if this may not have looked better in black & white as the yellow colors are a bit harsh and the rest of the colors are washed out or dull. I think desaturating might smooth over some of the downsides to the image and give it a clean feel. Might be worth looking at.

A pretty good image, that fits the challenge perfectly. A wider view might have been better but in general its a nice entry with room for improvements. I gave a 4.

Failing Camouflage 101
by Brad

Comment:
Ha! This image tickles my funny bone. They look like rejects from a situp contest or something.

I like the use of contrast in this image, the black & white versus the colorful floor is very nice. The Focus is pretty decent, seems to mostly center on the ref to the right.

The lighting is iffy. I have problems with indoor shots myself so it probably needed flash as the ambient lights (assuming its in a gym) were probably useless. Not sure what I could suggest to help with that. The colors are a little on the bland side, possibly washed out from the flash, again I'm not sure how you'd be able to compat it, unless in post processing you gave the saturation a bit more of a nudge.

Otherwise I think its a good shot, has a humorous aspect that that the title highlights and the play of color against monochromes adds interest. There are some aspects that could use work and I'm not sure if the composition couldn't be shifted a bit to add a little more oomph or not, but I gave it a 5.

Praying Red
by VisualOddity

Comment:
Interesting idea behind this photograph. I think there could be a lot done with it with a different composition. Fits the challenge.

As it stands, the tight focus makes the red and shadows overly harsh, this seems to diminish some of the details that might create interest in the image. The focus in general is also a bit soft, which with the image so tight in, doesn't help me the viewer get a connection to the the photo.

I'm wondering if this same image, using the same red lights might be better with a wider focus, so the whole of the body can be seen. Maybe if we saw the praying stance from a distance and the red light shining on it from the darkness like a strange spotlight, that might add some drama and interest to the scene.

I think the use of the red light was a good one, as it is different and adds its own dynamic, I think the problem for me is the closeness to the subject and thus the loss in detail. I gave this image a 3, but I think with some reworking it could be a lot better, the potential is definitely there.

In the Land of Adventure
by eirasi

Comment:
Simply fabulous image.

Immediately I love the color/tone of this photograph. The composition is very good, though it might be a tad too busy, there are a lot of things to look at, each with a high interest value and that might take away from the image but only in the slightest bit.

The focus is excellent, use of the available light is wonderful. The border is just right, doesn't overpower at all. I'm curious, did the umbrella get chosen because it was raining or to help blot out the sunlight? The reason I ask is I'm wondering how the image would look without it there, seems like it is covering the sun which is a smart move, but if not, there might be interest in that portion of the background being lost.

Otherwise this is one of my favorites of this challenge. Very nicely done. I gave a 9.

Nearly Out Of Time
by realdealphoto

Comment:
What an interesting subject!

The man is definitely the whole of this image, he has quite a few details about him that just draws you in to look deeper. I'm not sure if the title does the image justice or not, but nevertheless it still fits the challenge.

The focus is pretty good, and the use of natural light is decent, though the whites are in danger of being blown out. There is a soft area just above the left shoulder that draws my eye away from the focus of the subject. I'm not sure if a shift in position would have helped combat that or not.

I don't know if I like the use of sepia for this image, I'd have to see the original color. The tones are very warm and for some reason I see this as a more melancholy image, suitable for black and white or a slightly blued tone, rather than sepia. Might be worth checking out.

The one thing that REALLY draws my eye are the man's hands. The back of his hands seems so wrinkled and old, but the tips of them look quite youthful, its a strange paradox and I think that little detail is what keeps my interest in this image.

Overall a VERY strong photo. A slight tone change and something to control the white in the photo could make it better. Very nicely done. I gave a 6.

Learning to Fly
by Heavy

Comment:
Great capture! I love the energy in this image. Fits the challenge of course and the focus is pretty good.

Subject helps create interest which draws my attention into the photo and the composition works very well for me. The title helps enhance the imagery of the biker against clouds too.

Use of natural light is decent, the one thing I do notice though is the sky seems fairly washed out and and undramatic.

Maybe using a polorizing filter could help really bring that blue sky out and add a bit of shadow and definition to the clouds. I think that might help tie the blue of the biker's bike & pants in and add an bit of pop to the image. I'm torn on whether the image needs more sharpening or not. I kind of like the looseness of the clouds compared to the angular feel of the biker, plus additional sharpening may create more haloing around the bike's tires. Its a toss up.

Overall a nice high energy shot with a great idea behind it. There are some things that might have improved the shot but its a solid entry in my book. I gave a 5