Muse
by inspir8tion

Comment:
Interesting photo. Made me look! ;^)

Couple of distractions from a critique perspective.
1) The background color doesn't compliment the photo. White a better choice maybe? Hair would get lost on black.
2) There's a piece of paper (?) behind the scroll work of the guitar face? At least that's what it looks like to me.

Doggie Heaven
by Cam

Comment:
Way Cool! But I think it looks like a dragon. Is this one of ink blot tests'? ;^)

Abstract Memory
by SDW

Comment:
Nice choice of composition. I like the soft feel and the deep contrast.

Morning
by thatcloudthere

Comment:
Good job removing the aircraft and animals - can't see any trace of them. Nice image, I agree with some other commenters that it's a bit bottom heavy - it's a shame because with a bit different crop, who knows, could have made top ten?

Studio
by JCDean

Comment:
I don't have any experience with portraits such as this, my two cents would be perhaps a slight bump in contrast? Looks a bit flat. Also as awpollard points out in the forum thread - the second catch light on the eye is distracting.

Blue-Flower.jpg
by artvet

Comment:
Artur - I'm still kinda learning where and when I like grain. I think I've discovered another 'where'! May have to try this myself. I like it. The flower stem leads the eye into the image and helps to balance the centered composition.

Did you add noise to this intentionally in PS, was it an ISO choice, or an in-camera setting?

Where to?
by sangeeth

Comment:
hmmm....me thinks I've seen this weather vane before? ;^) I like the clouds...makes the sky look like a blue backdrop. Good composition and lighting. Good luck!

Forever
by khdoss

Comment:
I checked your profile after a forum post (figured you were in Fairfax after the 'large school system' comment)...took a peek at some of your challenge entries. Isn't it interesting how commenters during a challenge say you should change this or that (hat, no hat - lighting on back of neck, etc...) when it's quite obvious this is a candid shot (well captured I might add) and had you tried to 'fix' the pose the candid moment would have been lost. Some validity perhaps to the post-processing comments but overall a very nice job for your what, third challenge? Keep shooting and having fun. Keep 'finding' shots like this one and you'll do well... ;^)

Distinctly Iris
by glad2badad

Comment:
Thanks Matthew/legalbeagle for taking the time for such an in-depth comment on this photo. VERY much appreciated!

I failed to mention I did use a ND grad (grey) filter to add some contrast to the sky...

Message edited by author 2005-05-23 10:45:17.

Distinctly Iris
by glad2badad

Comment:
Thanks David.

Originally posted by Pug-H: Well, I'm surprised that it didn't score higher. It's a silhouette for sure, with interesting negative space and nice gradation of colour in the sky. I gave it 7.