Virtuosity
by RiderGal

Comment:
I love the slippers. Can she play How Much is That Doggie in the Window? Good job, I like the sepia for this shot. A little too much light in the back of the shot burning out the keys.

Hum... she's really cute... maybe I shouldn't have gotten this haircut!!
by svital

Comment:
Good shot, but I really wish we had a bit more focus. It appears that you took it from far off and cropped it in. I love the title.

"'AT THE CROSS' where I first saw the light".
by PTLParsons

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club };-)

Initial thoughts
Interesting composition, meets the challenge, focus seems a bit off

Composition/ Content

This seems to be one of those "almost" photos to me. You almost got a really good shot but just missed on a number of issues. As the commenters noted the background and centering of the cross are a problem. You explained why so you may have done the best possible under the circumstances. I agree as well that it may have worked better without the arm at the bottom. And that comes from a Holy Roller!!

Background
Too cluttered and distracting. Especially the dark at the bottom and light at the top.

Camera Work - Technical
Focus seems a bit soft. I don't know if that was on purpose but it doesn't seem to add to the shot. I would really like to see some more texture on the cross. It seems a little dark as well.

Digital Processing - Technical
The first thing I noticed is that you saved the shot with only 38kb of 150 allowed. This in itself would help the sharpness of the shot. You may have been able to add a little contrast and brighten it a little in post-processing.

Fits The Challenge
Definitely fits the challenge.

My Opinion On The Photo
I originally scored this shot a four as did 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 on your first submission, and keep up the good work. It will come, I've learned so much here in a short time it makes my head spin!


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

Okay.... Who Brought The Ball?
by autool

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club };-)

Initial thoughts
I was really happy to recieve this to critique as it was one of my favorites this week. Great composition, more than meets the challenge, maybe just a bit more color saturation.

Composition/ Content

I think the composition is great. I disagree with the other comments that wanted you to cut out the foreground. I think it adds to the court-feel. I can't believe that you got that pole on the hoop straight without rotating the shot a few degrees. I like the way they are nearly all facing the same way. There are a few too many birds unless bird rules have more players for basketball!

Background
The background is too busy, next time move all of that stuff before the shot!! With the exception of the other hoop it wouldn't really be too bad. I wish the back hoops weren't in the net of the foreground or subject hoop.

Camera Work - Technical
I really like the way the low sunlight is hitting the birds in the chest. It makes those white breasts really stand out.

Digital Processing - Technical
A couple of things here. First I think you could have used a bit more saturation. It seems just a little bit washed out. I think that a dark border may have helped that some as well. I also noticed that you are only a little over 100kb of the allowed 150 which may have sharpened up the shot too.

Fits The Challenge
Really fits the challenge well.

My Opinion On The Photo
I originally scored this shot an eight. I think that with a little more color it may have scored even higher. I love the shot and admire your work weekly. Keep up the great work!!


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

THE KETCHUP SONG
by Hoogie

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club };-)

Initial thoughts
Interesting composition, I must admit I'd never heard of The Ketchup Song, I guess it meets the challenge, focus is a bit strange

Composition/ Content

Since learning a little more about the Ketchup Dance at //www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/10/18/earlyshow/leisure/music/main526093.shtml I realize why the girls are in the background and what they are doing. I still don't understand the beercan however. It is hard to get something in the back of the shot that is on the outer edges of DOF to mean something but you did it here.

Background
Other than the unexplained beer can, the background works for this shot.

Camera Work - Technical
A bit too much glare on the Ketchup Bottle. Colors are good as is the front focus. You may have tried for a little more Depth of Field.

Digital Processing - Technical
Processing seems pretty good although you are only at 111kb of the allowed 150. That would help your sharpness a bit.

Fits The Challenge
It seems to now that I scouted around for the song.

My Opinion On The Photo
I originally scored this shot a five as did most of the voters. I think that it meets the challenge but was probably a song that not everyone knows enough about to understand the shot. It may be a bit busy for my tastes as well. 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

Blinded by the Light
by Vipermike

Comment:
Fantastic shot, my favorite of the week. After looking at your gallery, it appears that you will certainly be a force to be reckoned with in future challenges. Congrats on the ribbon.

Resolution: Quit
by greenem2

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club };-)

Initial thoughts
Great lighting and mood, meets the challenge well, light seems a bit off

Composition/ Content

Composition is excellent, I really like the shape of the shot. Your "rule of thirds" set-up works well here. Black and White was a great choice.

Background
I like the way the table melts away into the blackness. The dark background lends itself to the mood.

Camera Work - Technical
Perhaps the best thing about the shot is the cylindrical bands of light across you subject. I assume this was shot high through the glass on the right. Excellent work.

Digital Processing - Technical
Sharpness and tone are good. Might have possibly used a bit more contrast on the glass so we could see just a little more of it.

Fits The Challenge
Definitely fits the challenge well.

My Opinion On The Photo
You barely missed the ribbon and it is one of the top shots of the week. I really don't have much to add as it is truly a great photo. 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

Travel to see MJ
by rj324

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club };-)

Initial thoughts
Nice crisp shot for a live game, good color and light. Timing is great

Composition/ Content

I think you did great to get this close to a pro game. The timing of MJ's shot is really good and you captured a lot of emotion from the players standing around watching. Even the ref has his hands on his hips.

Background
If you could have had that one guy behind the ref change his yellow shirt...LOL. Good job although I will talk about cropping below.

Camera Work - Technical
I think you did a great job. Focus could have been just a bit sharper but pretty good for a hand held. I think the lighting and contrast was as good as it gets for the situation. The motion and timing was excellent.

Digital Processing - Technical
A few things here. I think it may have benefitted from cropping just a bit tighter. Maybe just above the mascot and a little behind Jordan. I also think a border may have helped as the edges are a bit busy with all that is going on. I also noticed that you are only at about 100kb when 150kb is allowed. That may have made the shot a bit sharper.

Fits The Challenge
This may be a bit of a stretch for the challenge for most folks. I won't bore you with my thoughts of the ref calling "traveling" as it has already been mentioned several times in your comments.

My Opinion On The Photo I originally scored this shot a six, higher than most. I think it was a really good shot under the circumstances but probably would have done better 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

Harbour Bridge before NYE
by 'Pong

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club };-)

Initial thoughts
A little too dark and a little too tilted

Composition/ Content

Everything in the shot seems to draw me to the left of the photo and off of it. The angles and lines go hard that way. The tilt of the bridge make it feel almost as if it falling over. I wonder if you cropped this or if it is from the camera this way. It may have been better pulled back a little, showing more of the bridge and possibly even the water. If you were on a Ferry, you did a good job of hand holding the camera as it seems fairly sharp, I can see the markings on the flag.

Background
Seems fine.

Camera Work - Technical
As noted the focus is good, the tower on the far end is a little soft though and I find myself wishing I could see it better. I'm sure it was a tough shot to take. You may have wanted to underexpose a bit to lighten the bridge.

Digital Processing - Technical
I think the bridge is a bit too dark here. Perhaps by playing with the contrast you could have brought out a few more details without adding too much noise. I think a dark border would have worked well too.

Fits The Challenge
Definitely fits the challenge.

My Opinion On The Photo I originally scored this shot a five as did the vast majority of the voters. I think that it meets the challenge but didn't have quite enough oomph between subject and angle to really score high. 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

Bird's Head South
by crabappl3

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club };-)

Initial thoughts
Good composition, meets the challenge, color could be a bit more intense

Composition/ Content

I think that the folks that voted this shot low must have never tried photographing moving birds. It is incredibly tough and I think you did a great job. I really like the way you cropped and composed this. The birds seem to be pointing South as well as flying there. I hadn't noticed the bird outline until I read your note. I even like the border. It appears that you caught them in a late afternoon sun as well which warms the bodies of some of the birds.

Background
Gee, couldn't you have moved a nice puffy white cloud in there or something? Just kidding, the background is great.

Camera Work - Technical
Focus seems good and contrast is excellent. It would be nice to be a bit closer but we are probably at the lense limitations.

Digital Processing - Technical
I noticed that you are only at about 100kb. I wonder if a bit closer to the allowed 150kb would have made this even crisper. The only other thing is I would like to see this with a touch more blue in the background. Did you try playing with the hue?

Fits The Challenge
Definitely fits the challenge well.

My Opinion On The Photo I originally scored this shot an aeight. I think it should have finished even higher than it did. Like I said, you've got to try shooting these things before you can really appreciat the shot. 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