• l u s t e r •
by Ja-9

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

A very appealing image that contributes well to the challenge

This is a lovely simple image that works well, especially the lovely reflection. I like the shallow DOF and focus point which isolates that part of the feather effectively whilst still giving a pleasing softness in the reflection and background elements of the feather. Whilst the blue is a nice and pastel shade, in terms of the challenge brief it feels a little too greyish to be quite as effective as needed for the challenge which might help to explain the lower than deserved score. Thanks for submitting another lovely image Janine.

Torn Blue Paper
by clickodak

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

A very appealing image that contributes well to the challenge

Well, what can I say Marcel? Congratulations would probably be a good start! As I scrolled down this lovely minimalist image I was delighted to see your name as the author, very well done. This works so well because it is so simple and in my books simple nearly always works best. The idea itself is what I am most impressed about it is very creative and original especially in terms of the challenge brief but what makes this really work so well is the addition of the ‘sardine can’ metal loop, a very effective addition. Once again, well done Marcel your patient perseverance is now starting to pay off not only with well deserved ribbons but more importantly in your creative approach, I am very pleased for you.

Face Detail
by clickodak

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes well to the challenge

What an unusual and interesting sculpture, well found Marcel. I like that you have explored all options in choosing a viewpoint from which to create your image but I̢۪m not convinced you found the best position. As I look at the image the first thing that hits me are the interesting faces very quickly replaced by the distracting background, particularly the lighter blue, the fluorescent lights of the reflections and the white lights in the external background. The other problem is the child̢۪s head sitting on top of the ladies head as it does. I don̢۪t know if it was possible or whether it would have worked but given the theme of the sculpture I wonder if you could have approached it from a rear position with a wide angle over the mens shoulder between him and the lady using the mens faces and his leading arm pointing out to a soft focus background?

From Siberia to Iceland
by otto22

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes well to the challenge

A very appealing landscape with great foreground interest and detail from this lovely textured and coloured wood stump. The near mono of the landscape really helps make the wood stand out and brings out the lovely detail of this battered and weathered wood that as your title suggests has travelled many miles driven by the forces of nature to this its present temporary resting place. The black volcanic sands act as a great contrasting backdrop for the wood making it stand out much more than a typical sandy beach. The small aperture and effective use of focal point have worked really well to give you the full depth of field necessary to make this image work as well as it does, well done Otto.

Spyder crawling into cave
by martinkulik

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes well to the challenge

What a gorgeous critter! I like your low viewpoint although it would be even better to be able to see the spider̢۪s face it still works well. The colour and detail works well especially in terms of the challenge brief. Whilst the focus stacking has certainly worked well for the foreground and legs of the spider a couple more stacks to get the edge of the body hairs crisp and sharp would have easily got you top spot but very well done for your high score and ribbon, well deserved Martin.

Devonian to Cretaceous
by riot

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes well to the challenge

Another gem Eugene! A beautifully detailed image very well executed it very competently epitomises the essence of the challenge. You really are being very critical to make an observation of the very slight loss of focus detail on the left of the frame it really is so minimal as to have little or no impact on the end result. If there is anything to criticise I would suggest that the whites in the lower part of the frame are perhaps just a tad close to the limit? The colour and detail is excellent and well rewarded with your score and placement, well done Eugene.

About Redwoods
by Dr.Confuser

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes well to the challenge

In terms of the challenge brief your use of focus stacking technique has enabled you to capture all the intricate detail of the cones, the seeds and the grain of the table top to produce an image that has lots of detail, well done. One thing that strikes me about this is although you have side lighting from your window to reveal the textures it still feels somewhat flat, for instance the spur from the lower left cone is much more difficult to discern than I would have expected. It may well be due to the fact that there is a lot of similarity in colour tones that is causing this. Having said all that the table does add a sympathetic and interesting background to the shot to make it overall quite an appealing image.

Fine sculpted grave
by RulerZigzag

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes well to the challenge

In itself this is a pleasantly interesting image, the monument stands out in what appears to be a well maintained cemetery of other tombstones that are eclipsed by this edifice. I don̢۪t want to be as harshly critical of your HDR processing but I can see what they are referring to with the halos around the cross and the trees. Successful HDR needs to be done very subtly in order to achieve a realistic and pleasing end result. I think your composition could also be improved with the monument further to the left thus avoiding the cropping of the footstones and making more of a feature of the tree and whatever interesting stones we are missing from the right. In terms of the challenge brief you have some interesting detail here Anton, well done.

Tides of Time
by riot

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes well to the challenge

By ‘eck Eugene you certainly pushed the boat out on this one, that was some challenge! Again your write up helps enormously to set the scene and the amount of effort involved I’m sure most of the people understood your homage but not having seen the film it was lost on me so thanks for the detailed write up and clip. I agree with Bearded you certainly achieved your objective. Technically, its great, the only thing I might add is that it would have been good to see a little more of the candle just to make it a bit more obvious but that really is a minor point. I’m in awe of your dedication in creating a unique image that has certainly pushed your personal boundaries, well done.

I Love the Moon
by tolovemoon

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes well to the challenge

Simple is usually the best way to go Tracy, a straightforward shot without any clutter or distractions and you have captured the essence of the moon there̢۪s no mistaking that. Although you have the detail of the moon it all feels a little on the soft side, if you compare some of the other challenge entries you will hopefully appreciate what I mean. There̢۪s not a lot you can do compositionally so its good that its not perfectly central but because it isn̢۪t perhaps better use of one the hotspots would have also given it a little more impact.