Winter Ballroom
by Bearded_dop

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes well to the challenge

This is a lovely night scene that is enhanced by good mono processing. Whilst the lights are understandably blown the exposure overall is good, there is good detail throughout. Unlike your commenters, I would actually like to see more foreground but it would need to be sharply in focus too. By cropping the tops of the tall trees it would move it all to the upper third and create a more interesting composition but as I said before this would only work with a larger DOF with light playing on the focussed shapes and shades on the water.

Four Seconds to Impact
by riot

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes well to the challenge

Another excellent entry Eugene and justifiably rewarded with a healthy score and placing, well done. In the context of the challenge brief your image works so well. I love the upper part of the image with those lovely shadows and the zoom burst effect, that against the sharp detail of the habitation is a tremendous contrast. The whole thing is utterly believable, lovely colours, just the right amount of blur, love it well done again.

Prerth 7MK Radioactive
by martinkulik

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes to the challenge

Well, that one shot will certainly give NASA something to think about, a spaceman there already! Your image fills the challenge brief well. I like the backdrop of the space scene it works well. I have to say that I find all the colours too garish, it feels more like a fish tank than a believable space scene. The lighting is a little too harsh with some near-blown highlights. I̢۪m sorry if I appear harsh but I hope this may explain your lower than expected score but please do keep at it Martin

Lizard or Leaf
by kylebird

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes to the challenge

Your image which isquite abstract to begin with is further enhanced through your choice of title making the viewer question what it is we have here, which is good. Although I̢۪ve never had the opportunity to use this lens I can understand what you mean about the DOF and focussing issues. Your choice of focus point is good and accurate and the DOF enhances the end result in an effective way. The golden colour is appealing and the lighting good. So, all in all, its a very competent shot, however, in terms of the challenge the link between ugliness and beauty is rather tenuous and I would imagine the reason why your image failed to achieve a higher score. I see that this is only your third entry, please continue to contribute Kyle, your technique is good and you will get better at interpreting the challenge briefs.

Ugly but free!
by RulerZigzag

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealingly ugly image that contributes well to the challenge

What an appropriate choice of subject! Thank you for your informative notes which help explain natures way of adaption to suit the situation. Its a good frame filling shot with a dynamic composition, however, I have to agree with Lydia about the sharpness of focus, it would greatly increase its impact if it were sharper. Thanks for your entry Anton

Ghostly Wallflower
by ladpupmoe

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes to the challenge

I suppose there are several ways of interpreting the challenge brief especially given the absence of a definition and I like your creative take on the theme. The sunlight coming through the venetian blinded window add to the abstract nature of the painting and decoration on the wall in a way that adds an air of mystery to the image, I like it. I think your composition is spot on, what we can̢۪t see through your crop adds as much to the image as what we can see, I love the top the way it dissolves any detail and the bottom which reveals the lines for what they are. All of this works really well for me Peggy, thanks for sharing it with us.

The Ice Queen
by riot

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes to the challenge

You̢۪ve nailed that focus perfectly which, of course, is both essential and difficult the faster the lens and 1.2 is pretty fast! Indeed it̢۪s that shallow focus that makes these lenses so unique but so often poorly handled with consequent dire results, this is a great example of how they can and should be used to good effect. It is a lovely portrait of a lovely girl, the lighting works very well indeed, well done for your seeing and quick reaction. In terms of the challenge brief I can see where your commenter is coming from and probably therefore the lower than deserved score and placing. Thanks for another excellent entry Eugene.

It's too hot !!!!
by clickodak

Comment:
Hey Marcel, well done! I've only just seen your latest addition to your ever-growing ribbon collection and what a worthy addition it is, great use of natural lighting with a humorous feel to it which is always welcome. I'm proud of you, keep up the good work...

They Had to Start Somewhere (AKA Light 15)
by Bearded_dop

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes to the challenge

Well done for looking up, too few of us observe the potential above us. The dominant blacks intersected by the irregular whites of these snow covered wires is very striking and effective. In respect of the challenge brief the ‘vanishing point’ is not obvious in any traditional sort of way which probably accounts for a lower than deserved score. Personally, I think a square crop, excluding the bulb and the right where the looped wire starts would have given your shot a lot more impact. Have a good festive season, I look forward to more creative images from you in the coming year.

Vanishing Point Tunnel
by clickodak

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

A very appealing image that contributes well to the challenge

Excellent image Marcel, truly fulfils the challenge brief. I like your decision to invert the composition to create an image that is much more unique and therefore appealing. You have managed to create some good symmetry here, with lovely reflections. I don̢۪t know if that is a figure with a red backpack in the distance but because it is not so clear it is marring the end result instead of adding impact as it would if it were more obvious. It serves as an excellent example of just what a dominant colour red is! Have a lovely festive time, I look forward to more creative images from you in the New Year, good luck.