Rest
by tjmueller

Comment:
Hello from the Critique Club!

I have studied your image and have the following to offer:

Composition/perspective - a very unique perspective demonstrating a very creative thought process and the ability to translate that to an image. I like the shadows but feel a little later on in the day they would have been longer which would have made this a much more dramatic shot. Although an interesting scene, there really is not much to capture your attention after the first look. Hence, longer shadows would have added much more mood to the shot. The focus seems slightly off or perhaps sharpening a bit. But no place really looks clear and I find myself wandering around the image looking for something or a sharp area that may be the center of attention although not the scene. The larger stone in the top row is too close to the edge to be significant.

Color - b/w, but seems flat. Perhaps a boost in the contrast and levels adjustment would help this. Being so far away from the grass you lose that texture, but it would help to distinguish the shadows from the surroundings. In some areas they start to get lost.

Lighting - good use of natural light in concept, but more advantage could have been taken. Again, the shadows (see above). The control here is good though. There are no real blown out areas although some of the stones are a little bright.

Challenge requirements - this certainly is a representation of a 'Dead End' as the requirements defined it.

Overall/my opinion - in concept this is a good idea and you executed it well for what you captured. I think this shows a creative idea that fell short for many reasons. Visually, there is not much here. As stated above longer shadows would have really helped. Perhaps not so high above or zoomed in to emphasize fewer stones, longer shadows, and let the geometry and light work for you.

Untitled
by Tiberius

Comment:
Hello from the Critique Club!

I have studied your image and have the following to offer:

Composition/perspective - the approach to the alley is good, a nice level shot without any odd angles to contend with. Focus is good for the whole length which helps keep your eyes down. The patch of bright sky at the end is a bit of a distraction. Perhaps a tighter crop on the top would help here. The leaves and trash and stuff on the ground is good for the walkway, but the wires and cables with the bright spot on the top make it a little busy. Cropping to just above the door or a little higher still leaves the alley bright and eliminates the distractions. This image really gives you a feeling of confinement, like you are actually there in the alley, through the strong composition.

Color - b/w with a good tonal range. The contrast in the three main surfaces is great - the lighter wall, bright walkway and darker right hand wall. The shades of gray are strong with just enough shadow and darker patches to keep it from becoming bland. The image is an excellent choice for b/w processing.

Light - use of natural light here is very nicely handled. Being centered in the alley helps set up the balance between the light and dark areas. There are no heavy dark areas that hide the detail and textures. A different time of day and this alley may well ahve been too dark or even too bright. Good timing for the shot.

Challenge requirements - even though there appears as though it is a door at the end of the alley, a careful look shows that there is no destination beyond that door that can be seen. This helps to place the image within the parameters - dead end.

Overall/my opinion - this is a strong image even without the challenge. The composition really gives a lot to the imagination and lets you feel the alley. As stated above, the only area I find distracting is the patch of brightness above the door end of the alley. Black and white seems to be the right choice for this image as well, much more emotive than a color shot would be. Overall, well done!

spider blending in
by strive

Comment:
Would be even better if this was actually a spider.

Oyster Mushrooms — Cluster 1
by Bear_Music

Comment:
Looking over images taken with the same lense and cam across this...voted high in the challenge, liked the image. There is a lot of depth with real nice flow in this image. The subtle variations in color are very nicely portrayed. Very nice image!

Up the Creek
by rox_rox

Comment:
Interesting location...lots of great reflection possibilities. This is a little bright but I like the composition. Very deserted island looking. I expect to see Gilligan on the shore.

Some People Really Suck!
by rox_rox

Comment:
Now this really ticks me off! Some people just don't care about anything. Excluding the bottle, the reflections in this shot are very interesting.

White Egret
by rox_rox

Comment:
For being taken from a moving boat this is an excellent image. Placement of the egret is perfect, it is clear, and only alittle bright on the back. Nice shot!

Studying for SAT
by alih

Comment:
Hello from the Critique Club!

I have studied your image and have the following to offer:

Composition/perspective - the subject to space ratio in this image is very good. This keeps the books on the shelves in the background from becomming a distraction. The crop also is well done. Tight around the face really emphasizes the element of concentration. Not seeing the words on the page helps as well. Nice control of the depth of field. Everything is geared towards keeping the focus strictly on the subject - well done.

Color - the black and white processing in this shot leaves it a little flat. Perhaps a boost in levels and contrast would have helped to separate all the shades of gray. The forearm blends with the shirt which is only a bit lighter than the face. Color may have helped instead of b/w.

Lighting - The book edge/table in the front is a little bright, but the detail is not lost. There are no flares or glares. The image is well lit and has a fairly even cast across the whole image. The lack of shadow on the face demonstrates good control. Well done!

Challenge requirements - with the close crop and strong focus on the subject, the concept of busy is certainly portrayed. The lack of expression is key for this though. With any other expression on your subject's face this would not work.

Overall/my opinion - The composition is done very well, but it lacks in any wow factor of any kind. Slightly different processing to bring out more of the contrast and variations would have helped a bit. There are a lot of areas that the b/w processing could be developed more.

Heads Up
by jiggs

Comment:
Hello from the Critique Club!

I have studied your image and have the following to offer:

Composition/perspective - For a sports shot - taken at the moment - overall, this is not bad. Your subject(s) are clear and in focus. Your timing was good as you appear to have caught the main subject at the height of his jump. The fence in the background is a major distraction and appears to cut your subject off at the neck. Also, below the knees is cut off. You didn't list the lense you used, so hard to tell, but if you were not zoomed/positioned so close you could have made the same capture and then cropped to get the final result. This would have shown more 'action.'

Color - you listed 'partial desat' as one of your processing steps. I think this leaves the background a little flat instead of letting your foreground stand out. The colors of the subjects are strong enough to offer a nice contrast to the browns/greens of the background.

Lighting - very nice control of natural light. The jersey is not blown out at all although in direct sunlight. The skin tones look natural and not washed out or ghostly at all. The shadow on the second jumper makes him a little dark, but this is not a distraction.

Challenge requirements - without following a few sure bets, shutter speed is not necessarily a key element in an image. Your timing of capture - getting the jumper at his highest, also captures the hair in the movement which really gives the strongest element of action in this shot. It is this action that relays your shutter speed aspect. Well done.

Overall/my opinion - a different crop or zoom to allow more of the subject would have been a stronger image. Different location on the field to get better control over the background would have also helped with this image. Nice capture that demonstrates an eye for the shot and good timing.

End of the Road in Oz
by scalvert

Comment:
Congrats on the ribbon! Was pleased to see this on the front page this morning. Very well done!