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 I’ve 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 can’t 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

You’ve nailed that focus perfectly which, of course, is both essential and difficult the faster the lens and 1.2 is pretty fast! Indeed it’s 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 don’t 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.

The Road is Long
by riot

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that contributes well to the challenge

Another demonstration of dedicated effort to produce a very pleasing image that pushes technique to the limits, well done Eugene. The end result is very pleasing though there is much less red on the near carriageway than I would have expected, the golds are pleasingly dominant. Unfortunately, the banding in the sky is clearly evident to the detriment of the overall result but ignoring that it remains a credit to your efforts. Have fun with that lens, I look forward to more astounding images from you and have a fun festive time.

Selenium II
by riot

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

A pleasing image that contributes well to the challenge

Thanks once more for your very detailed and helpful notes that give an insight into your technique and help appreciate the image in a more understanding way, although obviously your voters don’t have this same advantage as I do. I don’t know how you feel about the end result but I think your commenter has summed it up well really. It is certainly a well executed image in as far as it goes but given the nature of the subject and being a free study it was probably never destined for stardom (pun intended!). I think you probably got more pleasure in rising to the challenge and honing your shooting and processing skills? Thanks for your entry Eugene.

My son in the style of Dorothea Lange
by clickodak

Comment:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes well to the challenge

I am not familiar with this image from her portfolio so thanks for exploring and giving us your own interesting interpretation of this great photographer who made such an important contribution to social documentary. I like your image a lot, the execution is very good, your lighting is nice and even, the DOF is perfect for the unusual pose and the focus is perfect, all good… The only minor constructive comment I can make is that the two light setup reflected in your son’s eyes looks unnatural and may be better cloned out. All in all a great portrait, and as noted, a son to be proud of, thanks for your entry Marcel.