Calm Before the Storm
by sg10

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!!

My initial reaction to the shot was that it was a commercial Jet and I couldn't understand the title. Upon further review, I found the USAF on the wing and "got it". I feel that this explains one of the problems with the shot. It is hard to tell exactly what you are looking at. I know how hard it is to get into position to take a shot of an airliner as I tried it last week for the Motion Challenge. However, a frontal or side view or even a landed military plane with the Wild Blue Yonder in the background may have told a better story.

Your focus is excellent for a moving object (or I would have never been able to read the USAF!). IMO your negative space would have been much more effective if the cropping would have moved your subject out of the center of the frame. Perhaps a little more contrast would have made the plane stand out against the sky too.

Overall, the shot meets the challenge with the beautiful blue sky but needed a bit more oomph to do better in the challenge.

DougPaz

Vertigo
by IGJOE

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!!

I liked this shot right from the first time I saw it. IMO, this could have finished much higher than it did. That is the risk you take when submitting an abstract shot. The important thing is that you liked it.

The composition is very good and I feel that your vibration certainly adds to the feel of the shot. The brightness of the lights to the left is a bit of a distraction. I tried to look at a new crop but couldn't really see one from what is here that would have worked within the rules. Perhaps you had more to work with in the original.

Overall, I feel that this has an artistic feel that may not score well but more than meets the challenge. I actually scored it a 7 during the challenge. Good job and keep it up!

DougPaz

Seasonal Affect
by Kimbly

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!!

Initially, I wasn't sure what I was looking at. The texture of the snow seemed to throw me off a bit. I like the feel of the shot and compositionally it is very good. I have a problem with the black section at the top. I think it sets the photo up well but the reflective "sparkles" in the black seem out of place. However, I think that overall the sparkles give this a magical feel.

The other problem I have is with the twig/tree in the right foreground. It seems to me that it could have been a bit more substantial to add to the photo. Color and lighting are very good.

Overall, a very nice shot that certainly meets the challenge. I don't think it is quite a "wow" photo but ultimately belongs in the top 20% where it finished. Nice Job!

DougPaz

Dixie in December
by rll07

Comment:
I like the way the border matches Dixie's collar but she doesn't look too happy for the season! Nice focus and clarity.

greenhousejumble
by undieyatch

Comment:
Very seasonal, may be just a bit too jumbled.

A Splash of Color
by Rackat

Comment:
Really beautiful! Clarity and color are superb!

Blueberry Splash
by Jacko

Comment:
Congrats Jacko! Great shot.

Two Tone Tonic
by jmsetzler

Comment:
Fantastic! My favorite by far this week. I hope for a "how to" as well. I would love to see your setup. I'm sure this will win at some of the other sites for you too. WTG, great shot.

Grand Opening
by ClubJuggle

Comment:
I know you wanted to get the lights in the shot but there is too much negative space. Especially the road in front. I also have a problem with the light that obliterates the name of the place which should be the focal point. A really good idea that needs just a bit of work, I think. DPz

Bonfire 2002: Texas Aggies Remember 1999 Collapse
by Froober

Comment:
Nice silohuettes. Good job on the shot. DPz