The HP # 3
by TommyMoe21

Comment:
Hi Tom and * Greetings from the Critique Club *

First - don't feel bad about not scoring higher in the "three's" challenge - it was one with gobs of very strong entries.

Your image is technically "perfect" - Exposure - right on, focus - tack sharp where needed, and a composition that "follows the rules."

So what the hay- why didn't it do a bit better? I don't know but I suspect it was mostly due to the competition - and the fact that this image just doesn't quite have enought "wow" factor. The metallic ribbon was a good attempt to add the "wow" but apparently didn't convince the voters. I had similar problem with my submission.

I know I didn't give you any magic formula with this critique - there wasn't really anything "wrong" with the image I could suggest correcting.

Keep thinking. Keep shooting. Keep sharing.

-Tom-

sparklers
by shutterfly

Comment:
Hi Wendy and * Greetings from the Critique Club *

Before I dig into the image a bit - congratulations on finishing so high in the "Three's" challenge. That was a very high scoring challenge with loads of superb entries.

Your image is magical and very well done indeed.

Composition: Excellent. May be slightly better if about half of the distance from the spark at the top left were cropped from the left.

Exposure: Perfect - especially for the lighting conditions.

Focus: Spot on.

Meeting the challenge: Without doubt - but if you look at the fingertips - it looks like there are 4 sticks holding sparklers.

Improve it by: Your model's right thumb is not the best for this. If that were a very well manicured hand with nail polish - I bet it would score higher.

Overall - it was my pleasure to examine this image in more detail. Congratulations on coming up with a neat idea and then executing it so well.

Waiting for the Sunset
by mandyp

Comment:
Great lighting - perfect time of day, nice shadows. It does convey a feeling of waiting. Compositionally - it would be tons stronger if the negative space were in FRONT of the model instead of behind.

On Your Marks...Get Set...
by Tranquil

Comment:
You can feel the tension. It's a very good portrait - especially considereong the "high noon" lighting. (You'd bevery please by the feeling of the eaxct same setup taken with late afternoon or early morning light.) The model's face is a bit close on the right side.

Wait Machines
by boomer

Comment:
Yep - time sure does pass slowly at a laundrymat. Classic composition is effective, but I'm not thrilled with the gray/blu/green color cast.

Broomers Call
by Ruku

Comment:
I guess I don't know what a "broomer" is - but this is a dynamic portrait. Leather coat is great - but the white spot on his chest is a bummer. Your composition is certainly not traditional - but is very effetive. Good work.

soon
by grigrigirl

Comment:
Congratulations! This images SHOUTS "waiting" - no one should question meeting the challenge. It works very well in black and white - the rings really pop. It's a very "sweet" image/

Waiting for a bite.....
by stormy

Comment:
Your idea must have been a good one - it was used by several other submitters. This works well in black and white. The horizontal lines in the water just above the tip of the pole are a bit detracting.

May I have my Diploma?
by difarnecio

Comment:
Those commencement speeches can get boring! This is a super illuststration of selective focus. Even though most of the image is totally OOF - in this case it just draws the eye to the in focus area. The highest area of constrst is where the black border meets the white border - which means it will draw attention. My thought is that it doesn;t need a border at all.

Ho Hum
by BobsterLobster

Comment:
A very effective high key with excellent color selection. Negative space handled very well. I'd like to see just a bit more of the model's face.