Camouflage
by gsal

Comment:
I would have liked this more if you had cropped out the left half.

Little Boy's Blues
by photokop

Comment:
Frank

Once again, thanks for your comments on my photo. I really appreciate that you provide valuable, constructive criticism, and point out what's good about the photo, as well as what needs to be improved.

I've been away from dpchallenge for a while due to vacation, illness, and just plain busy-ness with other activities. And honestly, I think some discouragement about not improving much has begun to set in and dampen my enthusiasm for competing. So, thanks for the encouragement and the suggestions. Hopefully, I'll get back involved again real soon.

Mike

Originally posted by FrankRobinson: Hi Mike, welcome to the Critique Zone! I'll start by saying that I disagree with several of the comments below. Where to start? I think that the fabric up his nose is great - he's a young boy, made of snails and puppy dogs tails etc. He should be misbehaving! Secondly I think that it is a very 'interesting', or rather, captivating portrait with some minor technical issues rather than the other way around. Technically, it's a little soft. Perhaps because of the very slow shutter? You can totally get away with ISO 400 or even 800 with that camera and some noise reduction software. But I think it is actually a focusing issue because his shoulder is very sharp. Really, it needs to be the eyes. Artistically, there is much less to say. This is a perfect capture of a personal, candid moment. Your model is so completely natural - one could not ask for better. I personally also like the composition, the angles (making him look just a tiny bit upwards in a plaintive manner) and the crop. Some would say that you have to either include the whole head or crop in more tightly - I would disagree, this works perfectly. To sum up, a slightly tighter focus on the eyes and perhaps a little more contrast (in PP?) and this is a killer shot. Without them, it's definitely a serious keeper and a reminder or a really great grandparent / kid connection. Happy hunting, Frank.

Cousins Catchin' Crickets
by photokop

Comment:
Frank,

Thanks for your comments. Sorry I didn't respond sooner, but being fairly new to DPChallenge, I did not see your critique until this morning. I do appreciate the feedback, since the only way to improve my photography is to get some constructive criticism.

This was a candid shot, and I agree with your comment that the photo would have been better with a shallower DOF. A while back, I had gotten into the habit of shooting virtually everything with a large aperature with the result of often having key elements out of focus. My guess is that on this shot, I had purposely closed the aperature to capture all the kids in focus. I need to be more aware of DOF considerations.

Thanks again for your time and comments.

Mike

Originally posted by FrankRobinson: Hi Mike, Welcome to the Critique Zone! Please remember that this is all entirely subjective... Technicals It's a nice, sharp photo and fairly clear. You have all the key points in focus etc. However, given your proven skill in managing the DOF I am surprised that you did not go for a shallower DOF to bring my eye onto the kids and blur out the background which is not that interesting. While there is generally plenty of light, I also would (20/20 hindsight!) have used a little fill flash to light up your grand-daughter's face a little and kill off that unfortunate shadow. Artistic I would guess that this is a candid snapshot from the look of it, which is fine as far as it goes but for me the composition doesn't quite work - I find that cutting off the edges of the bodies is a little visually uncomfortable. I would suggest either capturing the entire body or focusing in more tightly and really making me focus on their faces and the great expressions of interest and playing. Perhaps moving away and using your 70-210 racked out to blur out the background and tighten in the field of view? Overall, it definitely fits the challenge and, as a candid, works quite well but I think that driving the viewers focus more specifically could have resulted in a truly great shot here. Cheers, Frank.

Silent windmils
by RUEDISCHMUTZ

Comment:
Love this shot. The grass in the foreground provides a setting and some balance.

NightScape
by Magnumphotography

Comment:
Love this shot, especially the glow on the wings.

In the Shallows
by npasel

Comment:
Beautiful photo. I think I would have cropped it tighter on the right and on the top,

Elegance
by pamb

Comment:
Beautiful photo. I think I would have cropped it tighter on the sides.

Head Over Heals
by IAmEliKatz

Comment:
I'm not syre what this photo is all about. For me it doesn't work as an abstrat because I find the colors distracting rather than attractive

stars on the lawn
by posthumous

Comment:
My eyes aren't sure where to look. As an abstract I find it too dark and monotone

reversed flow
by Giles

Comment:
I'm not sure what I am looking at but I find it very intriguing. The patterns are hypnotic