~ The Mooring ~
by Ja-9

Comment:
Hey there from the Critique Club

My thoughts on the image:Hey! Me again, LOL. I like this picture a lot! The centered composition works very well for this one, and I really like the blue against the muted tones of everything else.

My ideas for improvement: Probably the only thing I would have done different is giving it more contrast in post-processing. That, however, is more personal preference than anything else. I like deep contrast, especially in captures like this one.

Where I would have/did score this entry:This was a pretty big challenge with some very good entries. The 'Best of' are always tough ones, but I think this one scored fairly appropriately when looking through all other entries. I did not vote in this one, but it would have been in the 6-7 range for me. When I vote, I give each image a number as I first look at them. Then, after I have scored them all, I re-score the top 10 or so in relation to each other. This one was just up against some really nice images. Nice work, as always! Thanks for sharing.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide a critique on your entry,
Eric

Cache Valley View
by fisherfoto

Comment:
Hey there from the Critique Club

My thoughts on the image:I can almost feel the crisp, cool air the second this image loads. Your composition works very well to draw me into and around the entire image. I really like the subject matter, and I like the overall depth of the photo.

My ideas for improvement: First off, I think you could have really made this one pop by upping the contrast with some slight levels adjustments in post-processing. The muted tones are nice, but I think some contrast would help add even more depth to the image. I also feel like the 'negative space' in the image is a little too busy. You were up against some really good entries in this challenge.

Where I would have/did score this entry:I did not vote in this challenge, as I am just now getting back into this site, but, after looking thorough the challenge, this would have probably been a 5 or a 6 from me. I believe that it scored appropriately considering the other entries in this challenge. Thanks for sharing it with us!

Thank you for the opportunity to provide a critique on your entry,
Eric

Anemones for Sale
by kanaj

Comment:
Hey there from the Critique Club

It seems like the Critique Club is somewhat defunct, but let's try to change that.

My thoughts on the image:Initially, the color pops and grabs my eye. I like your composition, and I think you met the challenge sufficiently.

My ideas for improvement: I think one thing that would improve the image greatly is definitively picking a depth of field. I would like to see the main portion of the subject foreground in sharp focus, with the rest compressed, or I would like to see the whole image crisply focused. That 5.6 aperture got 'most' of the flowers in focus, but not all, and not just the select foreground.

Where I would have/did score this entry:I did not vote in this one, as I am just coming back around to the site, but I feel like this one score pretty fairly. With a more selective and a little more post-processing to make those colors even more vivid, I believe that this capture would have scored a bit higher.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide a critique on your entry,
Eric

Golden Harvest
by Ja-9

Comment:
Hey there from the Critique Club

With this one, I am going back to my old, nearly ancient on the site these days, format for my CC comments. Let's see if I stick with it.

First of all, congrats on yet another ribbon. This one, as with most all of your work, is well-deserving of the recognition.

My thoughts on the image: This is a fantastic capture and superb post-processing. Great composition, great job meeting the spirit of the challenge, and you offered us a very cool photo subject.

My ideas for improvement: There is honestly nothing that I could offer to make this one better.

Where I would have/did score this entry: This one was one of my 3 favorites in this challenge. I was your lone 9 vote, and I matched that vote on two other images in this challenge. I also gave a 9 to the first-place ribbon entry, and the 9th place finisher. I am honestly surprised that this one didn't at least take second. That is the beauty of DPC, though. You just never know how the votes will fall.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide a critique on your entry,
Eric

Marshall Point Lighthouse
by Ja-9

Comment:
First of all, thanks for requesting a comment from the critique club! I scored this one a 7, so, in my opinion, I think you finished a little low. I think this one was in my top 5 through that challenge, but votes seemed to have changed since I was last active here. Other than a little more exposure on the lighthouse itself, there really isn't much I would have changed about this one. Even with that, you may have lost the rays from the shadows. The tradeoff would have probably not been worth it. I think it is a nice capture, especially with the backlighting you were working with. I like how the walkway draws me into the image, and while I am not a big fan of photography 'rules', the rule of thirds makes this one very pleasing to the eye. The whole scene feels inviting to me. Thanks for sharing, and I look forward to more in the future. Very nice image.

Balloon at Dawn
by Jutilda

Comment:
Very cool capture, and thanks for sharing it with us in the challenge. I think this one scored fairly appropriately. It looks like some HDRish post processing, which was pretty well done considering the lighting you were working with. I bet the experience was awesome. Of course, different lighting angles would have been preferable, but not bad at all considering what you were working with. Thanks for the chance to critique.

The Majestic Tetons
by Ja-9

Comment:
Man, I love the Tetons! Probably one of my favorite places in the world. I agree with your other commenters, that this is a great use of texture and layers. You point of view works very well to draw the eye deep into the capture. While you clearly met the challenge in rule of thirds. this one, in my humble and often distorted opinion, does not serve the challenge well. There is a lot going on in the photo, and I am drawn deep into the image, rather than to a subject represented at a "thirds" intersection. It is always a pleasure seeing your work on here. You always seem to capture the spots I would rather be. Thanks, too, for the chance to critique the photo. This one is my first one since around 2009. I hope this is meaningful in some way, and thanks for sharing the image!

"Oh, thanks! ... I LOVE cheese..."
by Lydia

Comment:
Funny how a dead, pesky, disease ridden rodent can stir up such an argument. Nothing surprises me here anymore, though. For the record, I am much worse than Lydia. I kill these little bastards every chance I get. Anyway, awesome shot there Lydia. Wonderfully creative and the story still has me chuckling. Congrats on the ribbon!!

My favorite chocolate. . . I love it!
by glad2badad

Comment:
I HATE woody shots....well, except for this one. Well-done and this one gave me a good chuckle. Very nice!

Luxury
by Rino63

Comment:
Hey there from the Critique Club

First of all, congrats on the new personal best. Very well done.

My thoughts on the image: This was one of my favorites during voting for this particular challenge. The wide angle, deep depth of field, and point of view are all spectacular. Your cloud cover and bright sunshine adds a wonderfully dramatic feel to the image as well.

My ideas for improvement: I may have adjusted the crop just a little tighter on the left hand side, but that would have been one of the only things I could even imaging changing.

Where I would have/did score this entry: I did vote on this challenge, and...no surprise now...I was one of the 12 voters that believed that nothing needed changing or adjusting with this particular capture. This is a beautiful capture and a well-deserved finish. Congrats.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide a critique on your entry,
Eric