Proud Mary
by lentil

Comment:
I think this could have been a real strong entry, but it's way too dark (IMHO). There's really nice detail in the feathers, but the contrast and/or shadows really detract from the image. Also, it would have been nice to see more of the parakeet's eye. You've got some great color going on, and like I said the detail is good too, but it's overall too dark (IMHO). Sorry (4).

camera shy
by buzzmom

Comment:
This does meet the challenge, and for that I give you marks. But the graininess/blurriness of the photo and the oversaturated pink tones are real distractions to me (IMHO). I'm sure that this little guy/girl is the apple of your eye and is cute as a button, but I just don't think it came across in this particular shot. can almost see how you may have been going for a close-up cute look/expression on the bird, but there's just not enough detail to make it work for me. And again, I think if it were not so grainy (looks overprocessed) and in focus, it would have scored MUCH better. Cool idea, I just think that this particular shot may not have done what you hoped. Sorry (3).

Nesting
by sbridgwater

Comment:
This does meet the challenge, and for that I give you marks. But the blurriness of the photo and the darkness of it are real distractions to me (IMHO). Also, the border doesn't seem to add anything to this particular shots (and I do like borders when used effectively). I can almost see how you may have been going for a silhouette effect, but there's just enough detail & color visible to make it not work for me. And again, I think if it were in focus, it would have scored MUCH better. Cool idea, I just think that this particular shot may not have done what you hoped. Sorry (3).

Incognito
by kking9

Comment:
Very cool photo. Unfortunately though, I promised myself that I would stick to the letter of the challenge (which states there must be at least one bird in the shot). I'm sticking to my scoring rules & curve, but instead of a 1 I did give this the highest mark I could without meeting the challenge (3). Like I said, I LOVE the shot, so it pains me to do it, but I do my best to remain consistent and unbiased in my scoring. (You got amazing detail on the cat & I love the beak & background feathers! - very cool!)

a not so rare, flightless, DolomedesTenebrosus
by ralph

Comment:
Very cool photo. Unfortunately though, I promised myself that I would stick to the letter of the challenge (which states there must be at least one bird in the shot). I'm sticking to my scoring rules & curve, but instead of a 1 I did give this the highest mark I could without meeting the challenge (3). Like I said, I LOVE the shot, so it pains me to do it, but I do my best to remain consistent and unbiased in my scoring. (You got amazing detail on the spider - very cool!)

goose. goose.
by chele

Comment:
Interesting angle and composition (I like the different perspective), but it looks way overprocessed. The light & glares are really distracting to me. It looks like you had some good detail on the birds and trees too, but IMHO the processing blew it away. It certainly meets the challenge, but personally the shot is not one of my favorites. Sorry. (3)

IMG_5493dpc.jpg
by strangeghost

Comment:
Fantastic shot... Amazingly vivid color & detail. If this is one of your outtakes, then I'm sure you'll do well. :-)

Fatel Decision !
by richabhatia

Comment:
* Greetings from the Critique Club *

First of all, let me say - great shot! Very well composed and the reflections are super. I also understand the frustration behind the scene too - LOL!

A couple of things:
I think it met the challenge beautifully.
You probably want to correct the spelling of the word Fatal in your title.
I would like to see a little more focus around the hammer itself (it seems a bit blurred in spots). This also applies to the left hand side camera strap.
Interesting that I can actually see more of what's being reflected on the camera lens in its reflection on the table. (reflection of reflection...)
I really like the crop and the lines of your composition. Your eye really winds through the entire scene.
The colors and lighting are great. You could probably reduce some of the glare on the hammer.

All in all, a great shot! I don't recall what I gave this shot during the challenge, but I do remember that it scored high. Nice work!

Just my 2 cents...

Jimmy

Great White Egret
by pawdrix

Comment:
Really a beautiful image. I love the composition and colors. The clarity is a little off (IMHO) - probably due to the close crop. Still, an exceptional shot. Nice job! (8) And I like the border...

Flamingo
by paganini

Comment:
Of all the flamingo shots, I think I like this one best. Beautiful lines and detail. (9)