Hey ! Look at this !
by Gabriel

Comment:
That's TOO funny! When I saw the thumbnail I thought the figure on the right was a large dog with it's nose in the air. :P

I think you've timed this just right to get the strong backlighting, yet you haven't blown out the image. The silhouettes are well done here.

Good luck in the challenge.

Set Sail at Dawn
by raginray

Comment:
A 2 for 1, or just a popular place? :D Same location and time for a 'Free Study' shot (that I happened to really like BTW). :)

This one is tough to grade for me personally, because the backlighting is not only strong, but wide. I'm sure it fits the challenge theme correctly and such, but I'm kind of liking some of the images where the sun is a little more controlled. Hope that makes sense.

Compositionally, you've done a nice job capitalizing on the reflections in the water by positioning the structure in the upper third of the photo and leaving plenty of room for the water.

All of the above is JMO of course. :D Good luck in the challenge.

The Kiss
by Lustre

Comment:
I like the idea and concept of this shot. Not sure that you could have changed much (controlling the timing) but I think this would be stronger if the couple were more of a silhouette. As it is the photo begs for fill light or go all the way to silhouette.

Some other compositional observations;
1) A more face-to-face shot might have more impact.
2) Moving the couple off-center would be more dynamic.
3) A tighter or farther out framing could improve this by not having all of them, except their feet, in the photo.
4) The POV presented to the viewer could be more unique, i.e. shooting up or down instead of straight on.

I think this setting and your subject material has a lot of potential. Just need to move away from a snapshot type feel to a more artistic approach IMO.

All of the above is JMO of course. :D Good luck in the challenge.

Sunset Over Garrison Lake
by Scholten

Comment:
As a stand alone photo it's "ok" IMO. I like the way the shoreline mimics the curving lines of the clouds. This effect helps to offset the feeling of a centered composition some. As is, this image still has some strong central themes to it with the horizon bisecting the photo pretty much in half. Not being there personally I can't say whether or not I would have taken the same image, or moved in some manner to offset the sun and horizon.

Regarding the challenge theme - not too sure this is in the spirit of the challenge. Technically, I guess it fits since you are shooting toward the light. If you had a subject in the foreground (other than landscape) it might feel different.

Just my observations. Good luck in the challenge.

Canvas Eclipse
by Rob O

Comment:
Great catch for this challenge. Well seen and captured! On this monitor here at work I'm seeing some compression artifacts...will have to check it out later at home. Overall, nicely done. Good luck.

Working Man
by IreneM

Comment:
Nice photo. Meets the challenge well and is interesting to look at. The gritty look and feel to this works well. I'm not sure if it's the processing or not, but his face seems a tad soft. Some spot sharpening around the eyes might help, but that's out of the question with Basic Editing ruleset. All of the above is JMO of course. :D Good luck in the challenge.

poolside
by bluemonty

Comment:
This has a nice contempary look and feel to it. It's the shallow DOF I think that makes this work, along with the nice contrasting colors. Good luck in the challenge.

Un-Used
by UrfaK

Comment:
Hey! Have you been hanging around my house?! :D This equipment looks familiar. He-he. Nice take on the challenge. Good luck.

Working Man
by smali

Comment:
I'm impressed with this for a couple of reasons. First, it's an interesting photo in the way it's composed. Much to look at, but you still don't lose focus of the primary subject. Second, the processing is very cool, especially considering the constraints of Basic Editing rules. Very nice! Good luck in the challenge.

Fit to be a skiier!
by annushka31

Comment:
The lower-left on this looks like it has a vertical line going up under the lifted ski. Strange optical illusion! I like the way the clouds in the sky seem to radiate from the guy's head, like motion blur would. Certainly an engaging photo. Good luck in the challenge.