CircumSpeck
by GeneralE

Comment:
Interesting. I like the depth I see to this image. I do see it as somewhat abstract, but I found the color and lighting a bit boring - there was just nothing that grabbed my eye and held it.

COLORATION
by KMcC

Comment:
I love this. Definitely abstract, and appears to be nice and close-up. I have no idea what this could be.

waves in turquoise
by hopefulcrafty1

Comment:
This is lovely, and to me does come off as abstract. The noise (or possibly detail in the subject) took away a bit from the enjoyment. I longed a bit for creamy smoothness.

Sunflowers and the Approaching Storm
by JakeKurdsjuk

Comment:
*Greetings from the Critique Club*

This is a compositionally beautiful image. I love the simplicity the row of four sunflowers, although it bugged me a little that the tallest/end sunflower did not have any yellow. The textures are just gorgeous, and the moody sky against the gorgeous colors of the sunflower made for an emotional image to me.

Technically I think this image is very good. The sunflowers are very sharp, the lighting is pretty and soft, and the colors seem right on. I cannot see any real weaknesses to this image. If anything, just that one final flower without the pop disappointed a little and kept this image (for me) from being a top choice. (You were one of my 6's, which I give to images that I think are strong but don't stand out as extra special.) I do remember voting on this image and thinking "if only that last sunflower continued to the row of yellow.

I really like the sky, but I will admit it looks almost more like a blurred background than clouds in the sky. The color certainly screams 'storm' but maybe the pretty blur was not enjoyed by all and some would have preferred clearer clouds? (I hate to try and guess, but I am not sure I can see why a 3 or 4 either, but those were certainly not the norm.)

Julee

Dreamland
by Cory

Comment:
Stunning.

unmanned
by bmartuch

Comment:
I love the simplicity and almost starkness I feel in this image. Beautiful.

Cleveland from the Lake
by photokop

Comment:
I love this, it looks like a 3-d creation, almost like a computer generated city. Very neat and clean, and I love the color of the sky.

Rainy Day
by Bensted

Comment:
I love this, great texture.

nature in action
by jgirl57

Comment:
*Greetings from the Critique Club*

First off, great shot.

Compositionally I think this is a great image. You filled the frame with subjects, with one most prominent jellyfish that leads my eye towards the 'back' of the image where there are more and more jellyfish. (And jellyfish, just an awesome subject!) In your composition I feel like this is a moment caught in time. I know the jellyfish are moving and I feel like I know where they're going next. Were the earth gone, this is a wild sight that would be missed.

Technically I also think this image is very good. The colors seem right on. I love the blue and golds. The soft lighting, with a highlight on the most pronounced jellyfish gave a wonderful edge to this image.

Congratulations on a great score, and a solid image that the community obviously concurred was a great fit for the challenge.

Julee

Still Fun In The Rain
by JakeKurdsjuk

Comment:
*Greetings from the Critique Club*

I love the color and brightness in this image and the young one is really adorable.

Compositionally, I like everything except the adult's hand, which I find a bit distracting. But the red jacket does define the environment of the photo, and I love the red. Were this a 'posed' photo having the adult hand just a bit lower than the girl's might have been ideal, but as a spontaneous shot, I think the composition works. I love all the bright white, blue, pinks, and greens in your background. Even with all that colors your subject still really pops. I think all those colors made me associate even more happiness to the image than if it had just been the little girl looking at balloons. So great choice for location IMHO. I suppose I do agree with those commenters who said they would have like to see more balloon in the 'balloon' challenge. But I'm not sure with little ones there is all the time in the world to setup shoot, recompose, etc. Your score is great - and I hope the parent(s) of the little one are thrilled with your photo. (Or if she's yours, that you love it.)

Technically I cannot see any shortcomings to your image. The girl is wonderfully sharp, and the contrast and brightness of the image are great. The balloons aren't quite as sharp, and maybe for the challenge having sharp balloons would have struck some as more pleasing, but I think the focus of your shot right at the girl is perfect.

Overall I think this is a wonderful image. Great job.
Julee