Mum's old Glass Cabinet, and Clock
by Grandad

Comment:
Hi, Greetings from the Critique Club:

Composition:Hmmm...right. We need to start from scratch. The angle of the photo is just not doing the cabinet justice. You obviously wanted to show this cabinet off...so do so. But not from this angle. It is a beautiful cabinet. Try getting down on the ground and looking up...show its grandness to the world. Also...whilst you may see a beautiful piece of furniture, others may look at it and say 'So What! What is so special about it?' So you need to add more to the story...maybe open the door and have some of the contents laid out in front...as if they are lining up trying to get into the cabinet. Or maybe a beautiful narrow rug leading up to the door. Basically you need something that draws the viewers eye straight at the cabinet. Make it obvious what you want to show. Also that floor and wall are just not helping...maybe hang a white cloth behind it for the photo...take away the unnecessary distractions.

Technical: The camera was hand held. The settings possibly on Automatic. Start to learn your settings. The flash has almost blown out one side of the image. That does not help. Try using something sturdy to balance the camera on (if you have no tripod) and play with your settings. It is a still life...so you can play with long shutter speeds and no flash. You can even paint with light during the no flash image and highlight specific areas.

Overall: I feel this should be reshot taking into account everything I have said here...and I think you may be surprised with the outcome. Don't give up...keep learning. I look forward to seeing your future images.

Practice
by Brin

Comment:
Hi, Greetings from the Critique Club:

Composition:You stumped me. Whenever I have grabbed an image to Critique I can usually see straight away where the needed improvements are. But yours....well...I really had to look. I even read your about...but didn't see anything that would indicate your aim or your feelings on your result. I see you placed high...but not at the top.

Okay...the only things I can see that would help you here are maybe an added colour to the image to help control where the viewer looks first. As it is...my eyes seem to wander, looking for the main focus. I feel a different coloured table top would look great. Also maybe a little pot of flowers or something similiar...but not on the table top...maybe balanced on the floor also. That little bit of detail can make a big difference.

Technical: I think you have nailed this one. The focus, lighting and settings work beautifully for this image.

Overall: A few minor alterations and I can't see why this couldn't have ribboned. Keep up the great work and I look forward to critiquing your next image.

Chair Pair
by riversong

Comment:
Hi, Greetings from the Critique Club:

Composition:This image is showing a different angle then most of the entries. I like the idea. The lines, curves and lighting are just fantastic. I would, however, remove the lower horizontal bar as it is out of focus.

Technical: Now this is where you were let down. For starters your image is out of perspective. Look at the right side. It is straight, but the left side is crooked. I have uploaded my version of your image to show you what I am talking about. And I will tell you what I did. I was working with your small version so it would probably have been much better if I started with the large version.

I started by using the crop tool and clicking perspective and lined up the two sides of the crop tool to the sides of your image. That then straightened the overall image and removed the initial borders. I also removed the lower bar. I then used Highlight/Shadow to bring up the beautiful detail in the wood. I then played with the Hue & Saturation and the Brightness & Contrast to get the punch in the wood. A run through with Neat Image and then I added a 1 pixel grey border followed by the 30 pixes white border.

Overall:This image has so much potential. I can seriously see this hanging in an office building in a large city. Run with it and don't give up your fantastic eye for detail. But please...apply that detail to the finishing areas of your work.

good morning tegan
by boysetsfire

Comment:
So very beautiful.

Used Kitchen Furniture And Fittings For Sale Cheap
by Greetmir

Comment:
Hi, Greetings from the Critique Club:

Composition:Okay Greetmir, I don't want you to get upset with what I am going to say to you. But I am going to be honest and hopefully help you with your photo. I looked at this image and groaned, shaking my head. No image is without hope but when you are photographing for a client you need to fulfill their requiements. DPC is no different. Look at the winners. They are generally in your face, simple compositions. Made to look easy when in fact they aren't. There is always a main focal point. Everything is easy for the viewer...it is all laid out. Now with that in mind...look again at your image. Does it fit any one of those things. No! I am not saying give up your style. But by photographing for a client you are forced to try something different and in turn you learn new techniques and see things from different angles and that strengthens your ability and your own style.

Now with regards to your image...it is cluttered. There is no 'one' item that jumps out first up. My eyes wander everywhere and yet see nothing. That is not good.

Technical:Your score was low...you didn't get anything above a 7...and that is unusual. But not when you look at your image. That tells me that it isn't just my opinion but many...and that is there to help you. Not to belittle you. Learn from it my friend. That is why you upload here...to learn. And I hope you are willing to listen to what everyone might offer you in advice.

Now...your image. It has a lot of blowouts...you have lost information. I assume you handheld this. If you don't have a tripod...then put the camera on a sturdy post of some sort and try a different setting. Looking at your settings I am guessing you shot Automatic. That is okay...but the camera doesn't know what you are photographing and has made some serious mistakes. So you need to start taking control of your equipment. Learn the settings and play with them.

Overall: I think you need to try simplifying your images and take it one step at a time. You have a lot of enthusiasm and happiness...now let it come out in your photos. This one does not show any of that.

A Chair for a Bear
by Citadel

Comment:
Hi, Greetings from the Critique Club:

Composition:Now this is cute. It has so much potential. At the moment it looks very much like a stock photo. You need to break away from that for this subject. Maybe put a little flower pot with flowers and a bow on the floor next to the chair. An additional mini photo in a frame hanging in the background would look great. It would complete the story. And not be a 'stick the subject on a white background and take a picture' style shot!

Technical:This is the main area that has let you down. I have uploaded my version to show you what I mean with the backdrop. I can see what you were aiming for but it has actually let the image down. Go for a clean image....with as little detail as possible. This image needs to be clean, bright, cute and colourful. Hence the addtion of the photo frame in the background and the flowers. The greyed floor is NOT suitable for this image. Also, rid yourself of those shadows. A general rule is to have the subject a minimum of the same distance from the backdrop as it is in height. Example - 6 foot tall person should be a minimum of 6 foot from the backdrop. Now you are also photographing a still life. So why use a flash. Use a light and bounce it off some small foil covered boards if need be. Use a tripod and low ISO with a long shutterspeed. Use a narrow aperture also. Your subject is NOT going to run away...so why take a quick shot?

Overall: I think this gorgeous bear and chair needs to make another appearance...but I think the bear needs to befriend the photographer and together they work as a team. Keep up the great effort and ideas in your work...and please....don't give up.

UnUseD
by TheStick

Comment:
Hi, Greetings from the Critique Club:

Composition: I can see what you were trying to achieve, but there is just no life...no focal point in the image. If you had placed one ornament on that shelf...a bit of colour...it would have given this image some life.

Technical: Technically you are on the right track. The focus is good as is the lighting. But there are some areas that need cleaning. If you were after the old look...then make it look really old and worn. This item just looks dirty. So I would suggest cleaning up the marks and brightening it up.

Overall: I know this critique sounds harsh but I am only saying this to help you with your future entries. You need to treat DPC as a client...and this is generally what they look for. You have 4 seconds to make an impact with the viewer and hold them there. So look at your image...and see if there is anything of major factor that would hold them. If not....look at improving it in whatever way you can.

Good luck and please keep trying.

Rising Water Table
by roba

Comment:
Hi, Greetings from the Critique Club:

Composition: I think the composition is right on for this particular image. Personally I wouldn't change any part of that.

Technical: Here is where I feel the image has been let down. The improvements needed are only minor but are enough to have kept your score down. The shadow around the table is natural, but distracting. Try lightening that area. The hill on the left shore is dark and takes up too much of the image without giving anything to the story. I have taken the liberty of working on your image in the way I have described here to show you what I mean. I added a Shadow/Highlight to your image and found the details in both the shadow and the hill appeared. I also cloned out the post at the top of the chair.

Overall: Overall, I feel you have a great image with good lighting, composition and colour. But the minor areas were enough to keep your score down. Keep up the great work and I look forward to seeing more of your work in the future.

Am I a Model Yet?
by MissyKay

Comment:
Okay this is a much better size. I like the patterning on his shirt and the combination of textures displayed around the image. The tone and clarity of the bricks and glass are great but can you see how the focus is lost by the time you get to his right hand. His skin is also blown out with is a shame. Also, never, crop off a hand. There are certain rulings that help balance out an image...and you will learn them with time.

Contagious Smile
by MissyKay

Comment:
This has potential. Unfortunately the whites on the fur are blown...there are no longer any details there. Most portraits are better in vertical crops than landscape...and this is no exception. Her smile is captivating but my eyes are drawn to other areas of the image. Try to eliminate that from happening by concentrating the focus and crop on the main subject.