close-up of bike with ferns
by roz

Comment:
Hi. Welcome from the Critique Club. First let me say that I gave this a 6 during voting and that was well above the average I gave out for this challenge (Extended Editing does that to me sometimes). That said, you have great detail in this image. Don't know if that says much about the equipment or the photographer handling the gear. At f6.3 I'm going to say it was the photographer doing an excellent job with DOF.

First impression when this image loads is the 'Bling' of the X, then it's a competition between the abstract quality and the background ferns. Regarding the abstract feel of this, I like the perspective you selected, it's unique. The diagonal works well for adding some tension (non static) to the comp.

Now those ferns ... I can't tell if they're close in proximity or distant. Being that the shape hasn't been lost or smeared by bokeh effect I want to say they're relatively close. If not, I want to know how you did it. :-) Was it another image blended with the bike?

You placed darn near in the middle of the results with this. My guess is that while it's interesting, the abstract is a bit much for some. The one nit from me is the grime on the black (chain guard?). If that was clean it might have made a visual impact difference. The ferns are really cool looking, but maybe not the best match with the semi-dirty abstract. Sorry if I'm not expressing this opinion on point ... I guess what I'm trying to say is there are two great components here, but not sure that they were the best pairing.

I'd say keep at, etc... but you're a seasoned shooter so I'm fairly certain you'll keep tossing some high scorers out there!

Just one persons opinion. :-)

Blue Heat
by Lydia

Comment:
Oh. The thumbnail on this looked great, but seeing at larger view that the image isn't well focused (which is a bummer ... really liked the concept).

It's cold at this time of year in my country
by Mona

Comment:
Doesn't look like your typical panhandler. Has a jacket, hat, scarf, gloves, blanket, umbrella(I think to the left). And, all of the garments are in good conditions, no holes, clean, etc... I'm not saying she isn't destitute and in need of help, just that she seems unusually tidy for a "street" person. Framing of the subject, eliminating your reflection, choice of B&W tones, are all well done. Good luck.

Varanasi bike
by salmiakki

Comment:
Nice to see a non-fake image make it into ribbon territory. This was one of my higher votes. I enjoyed the vivid color and the foreground element, while out of focal range, still presented enough detail to add to the story. Well seen and captured.

Imperfect Sunset
by MargaretNet

Comment:
Beautiful image captured here. I just didn't get the Wabi Sabi connection.

utensils
by MichaelC

Comment:
I liked the tension of the items on stage here as they're not perfectly aligned, but close. Makes you want to take your finger and give them a nudge to straighten them out! :-)

Hanging On
by sanders

Comment:
One of the very, very few times that I've thought a texture overlay added to an image. This was very well done. Simple subject matter with an end result that is very pleasing.

Variations on a Theme
by mefnj

Comment:
Normally I'm not a fan of some of the over-the-top filters, etc... although I've played with some once in a while. Yet this was one of my top picks in the challenge, gave it a 9. The end result of your work is pretty cool - could make a fun print! Well done.

The Future is Now
by KarenNfld

Comment:
Yay!

Miss Reagan
by SandyP

Comment:
I was surprised to see this didn't break the Top 10. Your entry was one of my top picks (gave it an 8). I found this to be truly a "Portrait" quality image that is full of energy and certainly worthy of framing in your home (which I hope someone does!). Well done.