Lightwave
by owen

Comment:
G'day Owen. Greetings from the Critique Club!
Odd co-incidence; my first CC critique and the shot was taken quite close to where I live.
The image is undeniably High Contrast, and yet it's not really that particular quality that first engages the viewer ... it's more the deft composition and the beautiful transluscent nature of the breaking wave top that establishes the initial impression. That slight subordination of the challenge theme is no bad thing, in my view. You have instead used High Contrast with more subtlety than most, as a natural extension of your vision for the subject. In other words you've avoided using High Contrast as a drunk uses a lamp post - for support rather than illumination.
Your composition is ultimately the most impressive and instructive aspect of the image. I applaud the fact that you have resisted placing either the rock or the sun at one of the classic 'thirds' intersections. Your photograph is all the more harmonious for that decision, because your slightly 'weaker' placement of those two elements means that attention is not unduly deflected away from the wave top. For the same reason, the placement of that wave top at the vertical half-way point is apposite - we therefore don't see the usual stretch of wet sand at the bottom or big sky with seagull at the top ... you knew exactly what your subject was, and you confidently eliminated everything that wasn't it! This is a fine image; beautiful and, if the viewer will take a few moments, also highly instructive. Among other things, it is a very powerful example of when it can be appropriate to bend the conventional compositional rules.
Cheers,
Paul Martin

Perplexed
by wsteyn

Comment:
Nicely captured expression. She looks concerned and uncertain about something. You've established an emotional connection between the viewer and your subject ... essence of a good portrait, in my view. 7.

Comparison
by e301

Comment:
Probably no strictly a portrait, but who cares about strict? It's interesting & provokes thought rather than barfing. 7

Anarchy
by Sherri1209

Comment:
So much more interesting than the Barbie & Ken portraits. 7

Bit of the Irish in her.
by BrennanOB

Comment:
Beautiful image. A seamless & sympathetic fusion of model, pose, composition and photographic technique. 7.

Lady With A Pearl Earring (An Interpretation of a Classic Painting)
by JunieMoon

Comment:
And a good interpretation, too. The lighting is especially good, and I like the deliberate softness; makes your tribute all the more 'authentic'. 7.

Victory
by idnic

Comment:
Terrific image. I'm an old military guy; I love the haircut, love the flag, love the cigar. It's a simple, "F-You" kind of portrait, and all the more powerful for that. The pussies will hate it, which is yet another thing I like about it. 8.

Mesmerizing
by gaurawa

Comment:
A technically flawless photograph and indeed it is a mesmerising result. My only criticism is that is seems a contrived, set-up image (as I'm sure it was) ... it just doesn't feel real-world to me, but that's Steve McCurry's fault. Still, an expert job. 7

wink
by whiteroom

Comment:
Well it's a very cute image and can't fail to appeal. Given the charming pose, I like the unusually wide frame ... it makes me feel he's about to lob that apple straight through the picture at me. 7

Coach
by coolhar

Comment:
Very strong, candid portrait. You have captured the intensity, concentration and emotion that attend this man's job. That's what I like; a real-world portrait that reveals something worth knowing about the subject. Well done. 8.