Psychic spies from China
by xuan768

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

Since you did not include any comments, this critique will be brief.

There are many things with which to judge an image: Composition, color/tonal balance, focus, POV, DOF, overall impression
Your composition here works well. In the 'best world, you would be slightly to your right and maybe your foot would hide less of your face, but for an action shot this works really well.
I like the use of B&W. I think it is effective for this image. I think you cover the range of tones well - you have blacks and whites.
The image is in focus, the DOV works for the image and the POV is excellent - very creative.
My overall impression is that this is a well executed image.
With regard to the challenge: At DPC there is a tendency for voters to dislike noise and less than tack sharp images. If you did not have both of those, the image would definitely have scored higher. I am in no way saying that is the best thing for the image; I am saying that is what voters prefer. I also think the title does not quite fit: the man is kicking but the title refers to psychic spies. I can't see a relation.
If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to PM me.

We have never been to the Moon.
by docpjv

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

Beautiful image of the moon. I would agree that there is some apparent color noise on the moon. I would suggest desaturation to get rid of it - the image is almost black and white anyway.
The composition works - its at rule of thirds which many people prefer. The moon itself is a little soft but I would think noise and resizing did most of that.
I think the main reason this did not score well in the challenge is that it 'kind of' fit the challenge but it didn't do it well enough for the voters.

Please feel free to PM with any questions or comments!

branch-batch-8-041-copy-web.jpg
by Germaine

Comment:
Really like the composition of this image. The graininess seems at odds with the sharpness and vibrant color.

Overachiever
by scalvert

Comment:
Incredibly cool and you have entirely too much time on your hands. Well done!

Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth
by Rikki

Comment:
This is a beautiful shot excellently composed. I would agree with the bump in green on the tree. It would stand out even more. Too bad about the DQ. This would have done really well - probably in my top 10.

Seattle Skyline
by Rikki

Comment:
You have framed the city nicely. For me, this image lacks a little 'pop.' Not sure why but it feels flat - I think it may be the subdued color. Its a good image but not quite a WOW image.

The Perspective of a Railroad Wheel
by Buckeye_Fan

Comment:
I did not vote on this image so I can't tell you that but, in a challenge I would give you a 5. My reasoning would be that you don't have any 'whites' or 'blacks,' just every shade in between. Essentially, I wish for more contrast - it looks to be in a slight haze as it is. Nothing 'pops' because there is not enough contrast. I think the image is composed fairly well though it feels slightly tilted (higher on left). The frame works for the image. The subject is in focus and oyu have an excellent POV.

Nakia II
by banmorn

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

Thank you so much for detailed information on your image. It helps greatly!

You got many comments on this image during the challenge and they all have different ideas for what they would like in the image. All are as valid as any I can give.

Reading through your comments, I note that you state you don't have much experience in portrait processing. Believe it or not I think you have the hardest part down - taking a great image. There are many ways to process a portrait and none of them are right or wrong - it all just depends on your taste. I prefer the look you used - the natural approach.

Two things to maybe work on with a close portrait like this where the background is irrelevent: the eyes and the background. With the eyes, typically you want them to be sharp - not overly so they look out of place, but just so viewer's eyes are drawn to them. Another thing to check with the eyes is the whites. People prefer them white. This also makes them stand out.
The background in this particular image works for me. However, it does distract from the face a little, so you may want to lighten, darken, blur or anything really. This again would put more emphasis on the face.

Honestly, you started with a great image. Technically well done. I did a quick edit to show what might result from some of the suggestions I and other commenters made but really, its all a matter of taste.

long ride home
by bobdaveant

Comment:
serendipity? Nahhhh, that's not it. Excellent image though - impeccable timing for the best image.

What are you looking at!
by train

Comment:
I think this is great. Should have scored much higher!