tAcKs iN SpAcE
by Mick

Comment:
***** CRITIQUE CLUB COMMENT *****

Yowza, this is a fun one to draw! I had this picture pegged for a ribbon as soon as I saw it, and it was the second one that opened for me in the challenge random draw. My original comment was somethign like "I sure hope this isn't Calvert in a rut", I hope you took that as humorously as I meant it.

This wildly imaginative shot is one of my favorites among all the challenge entries I have voted upon. For me it excels on so many levels it's almost funny.

1. Technically it's exceptionally nice, and allt he more so given your relatively primitive lighting setup. Some might say the BG should be sharper, but I disagree with that. I think the tacks would be downvalued if the BG image were crystal-sharp (as, for example, it is in Scalvert's "Nightbulb" shot, where the sharpness is an asset since the BG becomes part of the foregrounds, as it were).

2. It has an extremely high, but not "in-your-face", humor quotient, only underlined by the bizarre spelling of the brilliant title, which calls to mind all sorts of low-budget sci-fi movies in my twisted brain.

3. It's metaphorically complex. It's amazing that such a mundane subject material and a few odds-and-ends can produce such an example of visual stortytelling. It has an air of "documentary", it has a heavy aura of "science fiction", It has hints of "global domination", it raises questions in my mind as to whether the tacks are a malevolent or a beneficient force, and it speaks (for me at least) to the loneliness of the human condition and our quest for meaning in the universe. Quite a load for a handful of tacks to tote, eh?

4. It's visually appealing; it's beautiful "eye candy" even though (as explained in 3) it's far MORE than eye candy.

In summary, this is a powerfully good image, and one of which you should be estremely proud. I wish I had some specific areas I could address by way of suggested "improvements", but honestly nothing stands out for me as being in NEED of improvement. Perhaps the large, central blue tack could be better-separated from the background? jejeje™

Thanks for the chance to comment upon this image in depth.

Robt.

blackhack pilots.jpg
by No1_Dogman_2004

Comment:
This appears to be outstanding. It's hard to judge it fairly in such a small size though, the limited size/resolution can hide a lot of merging & layering flaws. I'm not sure how I feel about the blur you've added, but I'm not negative on it. I just wonder if it's too much, or not even needed at all. I'd have to see an original without blur to have an opinion.

art8.jpg
by alonzo4b

Comment:
Very nice shot, Henry. By far my favorite of yours I've seen. Metaphorical as hell. The white foot on the female model is very odd, though :-)

IMG_8479possible.jpg
by I Enjoy Ham

Comment:
LOL... See my just-posted daffodil, "yellow and blue" thread, for a deja vu dose.

Poofie
by allankent

Comment:
Now that's EERIE! Consider using the desat brush (if you have photoshop) on the cyan highlights on the cat's fur upper right? And maybe clone out the speck under the nose?

Baby Fern
by JPR

Comment:
KIller nice shot, JP... LOVE the lower right corner, the way it voids down subtly and gives us so much depth.

Picture 020.jpg
by No1_Dogman_2004

Comment:
There's many things I like about this, but in my opinion the inline is way too heavy and the drops aren't tack-sharp, which refracting objects really want to be.

Message edited by author 2005-04-28 16:03:04.

Picture 001.jpg
by No1_Dogman_2004

Comment:
A kittle more sharpness, a little darker on the lips maybe? Possibly burn down highlights on hair upper left a little to contain the image better. The overall aspect of this is quite pleasing.

Picture 004.jpg
by No1_Dogman_2004

Comment:
Exceptionally nice/unusual take on high-key. The eyes are winderful, and I very much like the nearly blown-out shoulder.

My Wife's Favorite Necklace
by rlinn3

Comment:
Beautifully rendered, especially on the spherical element. A little austere overall IMO.