Falconbridge is falling down...... falling down...
by BigSmiles

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club };-)

Initial thoughts
A real stretch for the challenge, not your best work technically.

Composition/ Content
OK, you took a chance with the name. I'm sure you got a few laughs and didn't really care about the score so it worked. I felt it was a bit of a stretch for the challenge as apparently did the voters. The tower seems to be leaning to the right but not enough to validate the title. If you had more of an angle, it might have worked a bit better.


Technical
Focus seems a little soft and seems like it could use some sharpening. The whole shot feels unbalanced. I think I would have cropped it above the fence so that the legs of the tower would lead you to the Name on the tower. As it is, the name seems lost in the shot. It seems a little washed out as well, perhaps and little more contrast and some saturation in post processing may have helped here.

My Opinion On The Photo
I think you were probably just having some fun and it works that way. I think you could have improved it technically and still had a much better score. There are great technical shots that are way off the challenge that score pretty well. Keep on shooting!!


I would be happy to talk further about this shot if you would like to contact me.
DougPaz

Flying Eleven
by nathaliedoo

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club };-)

Initial thoughts
Beautiful colors, kind of meets the challenge, nice in an abstract sort of way.

Composition/ Content
The colors are awesome but as I looked at it originally it appeared to be a sky shot turned sideways. In my mind that qualified more as an "equal sign" than an eleven. I'm afraid that your score indicates that most of the voters felt something similar. A beatiful shot but perhaps not a good scorer in this challenge.

Technical
The shot appears a bit grainey but it was probably in relatively low light. It's hard to tell if you saturated it like this in post-processing or these are original colors but they are stunning. A little horizon in the forefront probably would make this a better sunset shot but would ruin your Challenge shot!

My Opinion On The Photo
I originally scored this shot a four as did most of the voters. I think that it's very pretty but is a stretch to meet the challenge. Good job anyway, I generally appreciate your use of color and composition. I like the fact that you are not afraid to try something new even if it may not score well! Way to go and keep up the good work.


I would be happy to talk further about this shot if you would like to contact me.
DougPaz

Extending Over the Severn Estuary
by Konador

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club };-)

Initial thoughts
Beautiful composition, definitely meets the challenge, nice color.

Composition/ Content
I really enjoyed this shot but I'm a sucker for framing anyway. A great eye as you've shown many times in the past to capture this one. I like the color as it really adds to the mistiness of the shot. The only thing I might have changed here is to crop off a bit more from the left. I think that the repetition of the bridge columns takes focus away from the framed bridge which should be your focal point. I would crop it right down the middle of those columns.

Technical
Very nice focus under difficult conditions. Your contrast is right on, once again under tough exposure.

My Opinion On The Photo
I originally scored this shot a seven. I think that it meets the challenge well but could have been improved a little to finish even higher than it did. Great job, and keep up the good work.


I would be happy to talk further about this shot if you would like to contact me.
DougPaz

Roman Numeral 6 (VI)
by BigSmiles

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club };-)

Initial thoughts
Beautiful shot, meets the challenge, may be a touch over exposed.

Composition/ Content
One of my favorites of the week. A nice subtle natural number in High Key. Composition is excellent as the cattails seem to sit just perfectly in the frame. Nice eye to find the number.

Technical
Focus is excellent, especially with the light. The only thing I might have done was boost the contrast a little to make the plants stand out more against the snow.

My Opinion On The Photo
I originally scored this shot a seven which was on the high end of your scores. I think that it meets the challenge well and was probably misunderstood by some of the voters as I feel it should have finished even higher than it did. Good job, and keep up the good work.


I would be happy to talk further about this shot if you would like to contact me.
DougPaz

Boston Bridge
by mvilborg

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club };-)

Initial thoughts
Beautiful photo, barely meets the challenge, bridge is hidden.

Composition/ Content
This is such a great shot but was wasted on this challenge as the bridge in it is hard to see and almost camoflaged. I love the water and the reflections of the buildings but the bridge is not the main focal point.

Technical
Focus seems good. The only thing I might have changed was to give it a touch more saturation so that blue sky would stand out. Of course, I would have shot the bridge from a different angle to show it up more as well.

My Opinion On The Photo
I originally scored this shot a four. I like it a lot but feel it is a stretch to say that it meets the challenge well. I think it would have done nicely in a different challenge. Good job, and keep up the good work.


I would be happy to talk further about this shot if you would like to contact me.
DougPaz

Crossing the waves
by johnmk

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club };-)

Initial thoughts
Beautiful bridge, meets the challenge, a little too much water in foreground.

Composition/ Content
I really like this bridge a lot. That being said, I wish I could see it a little better. There is a bit too much water and not enough bridge. I don't know for sure if you have enough lens or there is a place to get close enough to it but a closer shot would be great. If not possible then you need to crop about half of the foreground water and make more of a panorama shot.

Technical
Focus seems good but the contrast seems like it could be turned up just a bit to make the bridge stand out against the sky more. A blue sky would be great but it is awfully hard to control the weather!

My Opinion On The Photo
I originally scored this shot a six which was a touch higher than most of the voters. I think that it meets the challenge well but could have been improved a little to finish even higher than it did. Good job, and keep up the good work.


I would be happy to talk further about this shot if you would like to contact me.
DougPaz

Morning Rise
by lykofos

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club };-)

Initial thoughts
Great bridge, meets the challenge, may be a bit dark.

Composition/ Content
The composition is wonderful. It makes me want to follow the bridge to see what is over that hill. The light bouncing off of the right of the bridge is excellent as well.

Technical
Focus seems good and contrast is excellent for the difference in light and shadow you have here. The only thing I would like to see is a little more light. I think that would have brightened up the bridge and made the morning light even more of a focal point. It may have really made a killer shot.

My Opinion On The Photo
I originally scored this shot a six. I think that it meets the challenge well but could have been improved a little to finish even higher than it did. Good job, and keep up the good work.


I would be happy to talk further about this shot if you would like to contact me.
DougPaz

The Tridge
by inspzil

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club };-)

Initial thoughts
Interesting composition and bridge,definitely meets the challenge, a touch off center.

Composition/ Content
Very nice capture of a highly unusual subject. I looked at this quite a while during voting trying to figure out exactly what the story was with this bridge. Never did figure it really. A good eye to find this. B & W works well but I would like to see what this "Tridge" looks like against a blue sky.

Technical
Focus seems good and contrast is excellent for the difference in light and shadow you have here. The background seems a bit busy but is beyond your control. The shot is just barely set up to the right a little. You may have been able to control this when cropping, but for this shot, it is pretty important. Processing seems good.

My Opinion On The Photo
I originally scored this shot a seven. I think that it meets the challenge well but could have been improved a just little to finish even higher than it did. Good job, and keep up the good work.


I would be happy to talk further about this shot if you would like to contact me.
DougPaz

K-9
by tcherring

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club };-)

Initial thoughts
Congrats on the ribbon! , meets the challenge, lighting could be better.

Composition/ Content
The thing that grabs you about the shot is the expression on Pongo's face. It really tells a story. The "9" stands out quite well. Black and White was an excellent choice.

Technical
Focus seems good and contrast is excellent for the difference in light and shadow you have here. You seem to have a knack for portraiture which in opinion is one of the toughest parts of photography. I disagree that you should have cropped this differently, I think it is great. The only thing I would like to see improved is the lighting. I think a reflection onto to the back of Pongo's head would have outlined it a little better and made the "flashiness" on his face a little less harsh.

My Opinion On The Photo
I originally scored this shot a seven as did the most voters. I think that it really meets the challenge well but I had a problem with the lighting which didn't really appeal to me. Fantastic job, and keep up the good work.


I would be happy to talk further about this shot if you would like to contact me.
DougPaz

Whisk Bouquet
by Gracious

Comment:
Feels like it is over sharpened or processed. Good color.