The Guardian
by Kelli

Comment:
GREETINGS FROM THE CRITIQUE CLUB

Awww, Kelli, what a super shot with fabulous expression on that critter's face and those eyes! Wow.

Alas, this image didn't score well, even taking into consideration the extraordinary competition in the "Best of..." Challenge.

first, I think you were the victim of the 'zoo shot' phobia that seems to be going around right now. second, I put this on my own computer and cropped in a touch more and messed with "Selective Colors" to punch up the colors and found this guy comes alive with some stronger coloration - not much, just a touch. third (and final, honest!) the foreground blur might have caused some viewer problems. You know how people are, unless it's there for a strong reason, they are too lazy(?) to look over the blur to the main attraction.

Okay, that's it. You know you have a good capture here, and so do I. Keep up the very good work.

Alice

1010643
by pixelpig

Comment:
great patterns - great colors.

Tee-Ball fun!
by chazoe

Comment:
GREETINGS FROM THE CRITIQUE CLUB

what a cute little guy you have with his engaging smile. No wonder you like this image of him. And welcome to DPC! You entered a tough competition with your first entry.

Since you are new to this, I can certainly tell you that you have a great feel for photography as this is well framed and you caught a good expression on your model's face. It's just going to take practice and camera technique from here on.

Others have mentioned that the shadow across his face obscures the best of his impish smile and cancels out the highlights in his eyes. A little careful concern for lighting will work wonders on your future images. there is so much to be aware of when you make an image. It will all come almost instinctively as you progress.

Finally, that white 'hot' spot to the right. When you understand your photo editing tools a bit more, you will rid your images of that stuff in an instant.

So again, welcome to DPC and I do look forward to seeing more of your work in the near future.

Alice

Seattle Sunrise
by Mitch55

Comment:
GREETINGS FROM THE CRITIQUE CLUB

Welcome to the Challenges of DPC. For your first entry, you have certainly done exceptionally well. A super score for a super shot.

Seattle never looked any better. Nice crisp image and carefully done HDR.

Because you did such a good job there is little for this member of the Critique Club to critique! If I was picking 'nits' I suppose I might suggest that the bright red area to the right in the image makes a viewer return there again and again instead of really enjoying all the rest of the beauty you have captured. But that's surely one little 'nit' for sure and a subjective one at that.

I look forward to seeing more of your images in competition now that you've gotten your feet wet.

Alice

the line of beauty
by posthumous

Comment:
GREETINGS FROM THE CRITIQUE CLUB

Oh, wow. Two posthumous image in a row to critique for the Club. I'm not sure I'm up to this task.

Fortunately for me (and you) there were many people in DPC who have filled the gap. Your comments range the gambit of emotions and suggestions.

Suffice it to say that you have captured a moment of great beauty and meaning and you have handled it well.

Congratulations.

Alice

Kogel Bay Twilight
by darnok

Comment:
GREETINGS FROM THE CRITIQUE CLUB

A stunning image and one that did exceptionally well in the Best of 2009 Challenge. Congratulations on your 6.78 score. In any 'normal' contest it would have been a contender for a bright little virtual ribbon. In this one? Well a top 20 isn't bad.

While you did request a Critique Club comment, there is simply nothing to critique here, so with thanks for the chance to review this very fine image again, I will move on to the next image in the queue.

Alice

Fishing Bear
by stenella

Comment:
GREETINGS FROM THE CRITIQUE CLUB
Congratulations. You were there on one of those splendid treks to see the bears. A friend went exploring on one of those treks in that area a summer ago and came back with wonderful images. As, undoubtedly, did you. I have the feeling that you have many more splendid images of bears from this shoot.

These are awesome creatures, and it is no wonder that you wanted the image that was 'up close and personal.'

As far as a critique goes, this beautiful bear could have certainly used more space in the frame to show off its power.

I look forward to seeing more images from you at DPC.

SFAlice

Comer
by SuttonN

Comment:
GREETINGS FROM THE CRITIQUE CLUB

Aww, old "Pancho" has been supplanted by an alpaca! Pancho was the reigning beast when I visited that site some years ago.
:-))

Of course this is a fine picture and you have many accolades from the knowledgeable people on the site. It works well in black and white and the placement of the alpaca in the grass is wonderful. It describes the site perfectly.

If I were to nitpic, and that's what I'm here for, I would suggest cropping out some of the left side of the image. Say, remove the area including those 2 people to the left. That gives undivided attention to the stone house and makes a nice triangle to the animal and back up, keeping the viewer in the picture.

Glad you entered this fine image. I had a good time reviewing it and remembering a great time there when I visited.

The Ice Storm, Dangerous but Beautiful
by O'Holleran

Comment:
GREETINGS FROM THE CRITIQUE CLUB

Oh, what beautiful, icy trees. They look so delicate and lacy it is almost possible to forget they are also a product of cold, cold weather.

When I first looked at this lovely, icy scene, I too said to myself, "oh dear, that road." But I'm not going to belabor the point as it's been made a number of times in your comments.

You were using a moderately wide-angle lens, so unless the grounds were so inhospitable that you just couldn't move around, sometimes taking many pics from many vantage points helps in the final choice. Also, since this is Advanced editing, a little cloning of an unwanted car or two might come in handy.

But you were there, and I was not and you probably already know all this.

There's a pretty good tutorial on resizing here at DPC and if you use Photoshop, their "Save for Web" is a pretty good way of getting a useful size for competition.

Good luck in your future entries in DPC. You've got a good eye and I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work.

Alice

Gate of dreams
by stanmoore

Comment:
GREETINGS FROM THE CRITIQUE CLUB

Jeepers, I wonder where this is!
:-))
Great shot, and I say that as one who has aimed a camera at this bridge many, many times in its many moods.

You caught the personality of this bridge beautifully. From the lighting to the delicate treatment of the fog bank that is about to envelop you, there it is. I think it is very well done and you received many fine comments reinforcing this viewpoint.

Because it's my job to nitpic, if this was mine (and I know it isn't) I might have toned down those lights at the other end of the bridge at the waterline. They (IMO) detract just slightly from the overall majesty of your image.

Good luck in your new job and your new city and come back to see us soon!

Alice