IMG_2851-Dias-Del-Muerte.jpg
by Bear_Music

Comment:
Oh, elegant! Love the colors and design.

Freedom (Golden Gate, Freestate)
by tinkie2010

Comment:
GREETINGS FROM THE CRITIQUE CLUB

What a lovely bit of South Africa you have presented here.

I rather enjoyed your remarks in the data line: "My preffered post processing process was follow and colour scheme is how I preferred it." but it leaves me little to actually critique, doesn't it.

Here goes anyhow: It goes without saying that you have captured a fine image of the landscape. If you had taken the image at a different time of day, you might have also captured more shadows in the hills and valleys to add even more interest to your composition. Since this was Advanced Editing, perhaps a touch more saturation in just that elegant foreground land area would have added to the already good score you received for this image. Also, (and then, I'll quit, I promise) there is the little bit of shrubbery in the left foreground. In my opinion, and just my opinion, that could have either been utilized a little more to add to the depth of the view or discarded.

Finally, while I do like the idea of borders, it was the first thing I saw when I opened your image. Not sure that's the effect you want, but there it is.

Your title is wonderful! I live in northern California and we have a Golden Gate of our own, but (alas) no "FreeState."

I was really pleased to have a second look at this very fine entry in the Challenge and wish you continued success at DPC.

_MG_5177-Edit-2-Edit.jpg
by cpanaioti

Comment:
You are getting incredibly good at this spiral imagery.
this is splendid.

Reflections? Not quite :)
by sarampo

Comment:
GREETINGS FROM THE CRITIQUE CLUB

You are very good at these refracted water drop images. I very much like that you reversed the colors so that they line up with the pencils. and yes, having personally tried working with water drop photography, I agree that glycerine is a BIG help doing these.

I do think you may have processed this a bit more than necessary to get a pleasing effect. I rather think the bright hot spots detract from the overall composition, but that's just one DPCer's opinion. One person's 'hot spots' could be another person's 'design elements.'

You achieved a good score for this image, especially in this tough challenge with so many excellent pictures.

Keep up the good work!

Message edited by author 2010-01-24 12:36:19.

Simple Boat
by MJITB

Comment:
GREETINGS FROM THE CRITIQUE CLUB

Hello MJITB! I see you are fairly new to DPC and I do hope you are enjoying the site. It is great for learning about photography and, of course, the people are just as helpful as can they can be.

I will first suggest that simplicity is one of the most difficult photographic feats to pull off. So, if you are starting out, wow, you have set yourself a great goal. You can do it. But study the masters; there is plenty of material on the web.

Meanwhile, back to this image: beautiful focus on the boat. excellent to see the two red balls that balance the composition. There are two rectangular white areas that do not appear to be part of the story. (psssst, remove them)
The dock is still visible. Um, this is a delicate area at DPC. was it so prominent that it 'must' remain, or was it so obscure in the original that it could be removed completely. Obviously, your subject matter was the boat and the blue/white shaft that held it.

I dunno. I could go on and on, but I wasn't there - you were.

Okay, truth in advertising: when I saw this image in competition, I did not vote it high. If the boat filled the frame at a different angle, if the dock wasn't there, it would be (IMO) a winner. but heck, I'm just another DPCer, what do I know, really!

In any event, my suggestion would be: if you are going for simplicity, go all the way. isolate, isolate. I think you can do it.

And I look forward to seeing more of your work.

Another Man's Treasure
by Luci11e

Comment:
GREETINGS FROM THE CRITIQUE CLUB

Welcome to DPC. LOL, love it, your first entry and you pick a pile of trash!

Well, despite the possibility that voters were lashing out at you because of your 'self-described trash habits' (joking-joking!) let's look at some of the other stuff.

Okay, this is a nice record shot, a keepsake from schooldays. It's a little fuzzy.

Since you're dealing with a pile of inanimate material, consider it as story ready to be told at your leisure. Move around, experiment with apertures, depth of field, and see what is really interesting in there. You had the story in your head, my suggestion is to build your story around this pile of trash: show what it really represents-- try to find a focal point, one or more items that really tell the story, or maybe an angle that shows off what you want to display.

the technical details will come as you use your equipment; the story-telling can be the exciting part.

Good luck in the Challenges. I look forward to seeing more of your art.
:-))

Life is good, even when it's not great
by kyagudin

Comment:
GREETINGS FROM THE CRITIQUE CLUB

What a pleasant portrait of this happy old man, teeth and all. I think that technically, you've done an excellent job of capturing his features and attitude. I agree with one of the people who commented on your picture during the Challenge that the background color is unfortunate. but if that was the only clear, uncluttered place you could find, well, that's all you can do.

Now, regarding the Challenge. It occurs to me that even though this nice old man does personify happiness, he is "happy" not "humorous" and that may be why your image did not score higher. It is a subtle difference, to be sure.

In any event, I shall look forward to seeing more of your images in the future.

I Only have Eyes For You
by scooter88

Comment:
GREETINGS FROM THE CRITIQUE CLUB

Another image from this Challenge that I am delighted to see again. You scored well, and there is nothing much to 'critique' in this image, so I can just say this is wonderful work and please keep 'em coming. You obviously have a talent and the patience to capture and present this type of photography well. this is a fine example.

Beautiful color control here as well as the "to be expected" level of sharpness and wow factor you exhibit.

GAME OVER
by mBastin

Comment:
GREETINGS FROM THE CRITIQUE CLUB

Oh, yes. I remember this well. It was a fun image that I very much enjoyed while looking at it in the voting process and one that I am pleased to see again.

You have caught your expression well and your position in the frame is, IMO, excellent.

Because it was a set up, you might have been able to go back and get those hands and the gaming instrument more in focus, unless you just got sick of posing. (Never!) In my opinion, and I'm just another opinionated DPCer, your shallow depth of field is what kept this very fine conceptual image from a much higher score.

Keep 'em coming. You're obviously having fun with this and it shows in a very positive way.

2010: "All These Worlds Are Yours ..."
by Dr.Confuser

Comment:
GREETINGS FROM THE CRITIQUE CLUB

Well, you finished very, very well in this tough challenge, so there isn't really much of anything to 'critique' in this image of yours.

The colors are in balance, the composition is well done and the frame is 'just enough' without being obtrusive. The title fits (and yes I have read the book) so all in all, I can only say "nice job" and move on to the next image in the queue.

Continued good luck in your future entries.