Craig Pumping Station Abandoned
by clickodak

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes well to the open challenge

It looks like an interesting location you have here Marcel, thanks for the write up. The chimney in the background and the shape of the bridge add interest to the scene. I think a little judicial cropping of the arch on the left would have improved it I find the lower left quite distracting. A crop removing the lamppost is what I would suggest.

Three things remain with us from paradise: stars, flowers and children. - Dante Alighieri
by Srikanthgumma

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes well to the open challenge

A lovely portrait Srikanth. This is an image the proud parents will be able to treasure for years to come. You’ve done a good job technically, the DOF is good with the face nice and clearly in focus with softer focus in the limbs and background. The sympathetic lighting is also good, much better, as you say, without harsh flash which would have ruined it. I’m not really sure about the petals and its always better to be able to see the open eyes and expressive faces of children but for a sleeping child you’ve done a good job, well done.

An Art!
by coovt2001

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes well to the open challenge

A great action shot Vijay. I know good panning shots are not easy and require plenty of patience to get the result you are after. The overhead viewpoint is good though I find the foreground barrier a distraction. I have to agree with your commenter about the high shutter speed, it is just to sharp all over there really needs to be some motion in the wheels the tyre tread is too well defined. As it is it could easily be imagined that he is about to fall of a stationary machine.

Thunder Birds............................
by Phocal

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes well to the open challenge

A great action shot Ronnie. The phenomenally fast shutter speed makes for a pin sharp capture which is great per se personally I prefer a slower shutter speed to convert a feeling of motion. The composition is good allowing space for the receding smoke trails. I have to disagree heartily with your commenters regarding colour v mono, I think the mono processing makes for a much more graphical and pleasing image but once again that is my own personal preference

A Swing and a Mist
by Skip

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that meets the challenge

Welcome back Skip! And what a comeback… The composition and timing is a delight. Too often the temptation is to go in close on the action and concentrate on that whereas the bigger picture can often have more appeal and impact. The quality of the light too is the essence of your lovely image, it highlights the undulations in the land together with those lovely shadows it works very well. Congratulations for your high score and placing, I hope we will be seeing more of your work again…?

Drag Racin
by Phocal

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that meets the challenge

Wot, no wildlife…! Only joking Ronnie, a great action capture of a unique event. I like the sense of motion created by the trails of smoke and flame. I do not like the expanse of blank sky at the top its not helping the image at all. I think a panorama with the bulk of the sky cropped out and a little more room either side of the action would have given this more impact.

House Abandoned
by clickodak

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that meets the challenge

Your subject is certainly appropriate for the challenge it looks well abandoned. The ground growth in front of the building certainly confirms its abandoned status whilst the tree growth looks a little detached from the building itself it also identifies it as abandoned. I think your composition would have worked better to place the doorway to the left so that we have the decrepit state of the building balanced by the lovely splash of colour on the right I just think it would look a bit more interesting…?

A coat of paint won't fix this...
by Ja-9

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

A great image that contributes to the challenge well

Cor blimey Janine, I think you caught that just in time! What a cracker for the challenge theme. As for Skip’s comments, I’m not sure what he means about the shadow spread on the antenna? And as far as the halos are concerned is that the result of the sharpening? Anyway, congratulations on the ribbon, well deserved. Title? What about ‘Bleak House’ or ‘just a little TLC needed…’

It Sure Looks Greener...............
by Phocal

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

A great image that contributes to the challenge well

A lovely image Ronnie, you have every right to be pleased with the lens’ performance. I like the composition with the bird to the left looking in, it works well. What I am not so keen on is the centre background, especially in view of the challenge theme, it rather dominates but the clump of grass on the right does save the day… Anyway, it was rightly appreciated here which is what matters well done with your high placing.

American Girl
by Pompouspete

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

A great image that contributes to the challenge well

A lovely portrait Peter, congratulations on your high score and placing. The pose is very effective as commented it has a flowing feel to it, there is a feeling of professionalism about it everything has been carefully prepared. The lighting is nice and even, she looks really lovely. The dress does have a vintage feel to it and as such I think perhaps if we could have seen more of it it would have filled the theme even more, we need your comments to highlight it for us, it might also have helped to identify her as American?