unfolding beauty
by slonko

Comment:
Hello from the Critique Club!

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

Composition/perspective - the slight angle to the flower is an excellent position for this capture. The subject to frame size ratio also works very well with this image. Since the right hand side of the flower is cut off, perhaps a slightly different crop to remove the negative space on the left would have made an even stronger impression as it would have allowed a larger overall image (closer to 640 on both sides). This would not have hurt your application of the rule of thirds either, which is also well done. Focus is clear throughout the image with a few fuzzy areas in the foregounrd. But nothing I find a distraction.

Color - well...b/w white so no color. However, the shadows and shades of gray present provide an overall rich tonal quality to the image. A lot to capture interest and keep you looking. B/W also adds to the impression of depth between the petals. In my opinion, if in color you would have lost this quality which would be a shame. It works very well with this image. Well done!

Lighting - the lighting appears as though one source from the right top direction (based on the highlights). Just enough to give the overall appeal with the shadows, not too much to give a lot of flares/glares/blown out white spots. A few of the highlights on the edges of the petals appear slightly blown out, but overall the b/w processing keeps this from being a real distraction. The balance between light and dark is well controlled overall.

Challenge requirements - the subtle folds and curves in the flower, nicely accentuated by the other qualities and processing, definitely convey a sense of delicateness. It is good that there are no other elements in the image to change that (stem, leaf, etc.)

Overall/my opinion - as stated above the negative space on the left...I think, although a strong image now, it would have been even stronger if this was cropped out and the flower held the whole frame. Very well done photograph that does not appear over-processed in the least and the composition works very well as a black and white image. Very well done!

Do Not Touch
by joezl

Comment:
Hello from the Critique Club!

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

Composition/perspective - the composition here is very interesting. There are many 'layers' of depth to the phtotgraph which adds an element of interest. The ratio of subject to frame size is very well done. As a macro, the lack of negative space works here quite nicely. The DoF seems to be a little off - only the very center of the image is crisp and clearly in focus. However, with the subject size, it does not hurt the images strength. The profile aspect also adds to the interest element. It is nice to see a shot like this and not have it be straight on. Well done!

Color - although basically a white subject on a dark background, the background really allows the flower to stand out and there is no blending or losing it. Nice combination. The shadows are not overwhelming and the subtle differences in the coloration being emphasized by the veins in the petals works well.

Lighting - for most of the image the lighting is nicely controlled. There is one area, just above and to the right of center, that appears much brighter than the rest of the image and slightly blown out. I find this to be a bit of a distraction since the focus is just to the left of this area. I am drawn there and then led to the back where the DoF has the image very out of focus. The shadows are not heavy and add a nice fluid looking touch to the shot accentuating the natural curves and bends in the petals.

Challenge requirements - having a lack of major distractions really helps this image meet the challenge requirements. If the DoF was a bit different I feel it would be a stronger image. But the concept of delicate is captured well.

Overall/my opinion - a slightly different positioning may have helped to give a better depth of field. A tighter crop to remove some of the black would allow the top of the image to not be so heavy looking. Perhaps even a crop to remove the severly out of focus petal in the top right. There would still have been a lot of image and may have allowed for a larger overall image when resized (closer to 640 on both sides).

Wedding day!
by letuananh

Comment:
Hello from the Critique Club!

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

Composition/perspective - placement of the subject within the frame is very well done. I am a bit distracted by the elbows being cut off, but at least that is consistent. There is a lot going on which makes it a bit busy - flowers, the bride, the rose petals and all the wrinkles in the background. Most of this is offset by the overall beauty of the shot.

Color - there is a lot of colors in this image and all have been very richly developed. This shows a good command of your camera and capturing the reality of the surroundings. There appears to be a slight off hue to the skin tone, but it is not a distraction nor does it impact the image too much.

Lighting - very nice lighting control. I cannot discern if flash was used or if it is ambient. Again, a credit to your command of the camera There are no harsh areas in the photo - no glares, flares, or wash outs. The veil gets lost in the sheet but it appears they really are very close to the same shade of white.

Challenge requirements - first, as stated above, this is an extremely pleasing photograph. But to me, for the challenge, there is just too much color and dark shades to be a good fit for a light on white. The veil being lost leaves the hair against the white sheet, the skin is too dark to be 'light' and the only real area where the dress meets the sheet is disrupted by the dark ribbon.

Overall/my opinion - very well shot photograph that demonstrates an excellent eye composition, a good ability to grasp the moment and get the right capture, and overall control of the situation with your lense. Very well done!

Delicate is Our Fragile Ecosystem
by laug

Comment:
Hello from the Critique Club!

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

Composition/perspective - this is a very busy photograph that a different perspective could have eliminated. Shooting down on the subject includes all the background which is distracting and your subject gets lost in all the clutter. Shooting from the side may have helped this. If the subject had been cut and placed on a solid background either through putting it in a glass or similar utensil it would have allowed the strength of the subject to come through. The subject is very centered. Cropping to put it off center would have helped.

Color - the colors of the blossoms and the gradients in the buds are very nice. They could have been a bit stronger. A boost to saturation and or contrast would have brought out more of the orange and made the subtle variations as well as the natural contrast between the green and orange a lot more prominent.

Lighting - appears to be only natural. A cloudy day? This is good though since the buds have a shiney surface and bright light would have caused glares and bright spots that would have ended up as distractions. But the lack of light makes the shot appear a little dark/gray. This may have been helped in post processing.

Challenge requirements - the subject certainly conveys a sense of delicacy, but the clutter around it takes some of that away. I really feel it could have been better portrayed as stated above.

Overall/my opinion - this shot certainly shows an ability to capture a concept. I think it falls short in the setting - busy, and the post processing (see above). Using the challenge title in your photo title takes away from the image and the sense of 'ecosystem' is not really portrayed by a single branch of a larger bush. I think this image demonstrates a lot of potential and I look forward to seeing your work as you progress.

Delicate creature
by MattO

Comment:
Hello from the Critique Club!

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

Composition/perspective - the subject to frame size ratio is very nice. Placement of the subject within the frame is excellent. The DoF applied here is also very well done. There is nothing in the image to detract from the subject in the least - nice timing of capture as well. Having the subject as a profile is another strong point in the composition. Focus is good - although crisp detail in the subject is there, some sharpening would have made the wings really stand out. Very well done!

Color - the muted colors of the flowers the subject is sitting on as well as the greens in the background could have allowed for a nice contrast with the subject's colors. A boost in saturation and contrast would have helped to bring this out more. The colors in the subject seem a little pale. Time of day may have contributed to this some.

Lighting - natural light is excellent as a light source, but time of day has a lot to do with how effective it is. This appears somewhat bright like it was taken either in mid day or with the sun almost directly on the subject. I realize a butterfly is not going to cooperate and arrive at the right time of day just for your picture, but the overall brightness fades the colors in the wings. Processing could have helped to bring this back (see above).

Challenge requirements - the detail in the wings helps quite nicely to the delicate feel of the image. This is also helped by the flowers being the type they are - not large petals/leaves but small and 'frilly.' It meets the challenge requirements well.

Overall/my opinion - since this was taken in bright light, post processing could have helped to make it a much stronger image. The colors seem a little pale and a boost in contrast may have helped to recover them. Not sure how the viewers feel, but I think it loses some of its strength by using the challenge name in the title. It doesn't make the image more delicate looking, but does seem like you are trying to force the impression. I think the image and subject are strong enough to have titled it differently. Just my opinion.

Minimalist Morning
by chucksinnc

Comment:
Hello from the Critique Club!

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

Composition/perspective - the application of the rule of thirds is done quite nicely here. The ratio between subject and negative space could be a little different. The negative space is good, but the subject is just a bit small for the amount. A different crop would have been nice and I don't think it would have hurt the image. it also would have removed the blue tint on that side of the image and in the cornerson that side. The shadow is already cut off which is ok, less of it would have been ok as well. Your angle to the subject is very good. Seeing just the showerhead and not its mount to the wall is a very nice effect. Without the shadow it would appear floating in space which would have been ok. But as is works as well. Your subject is stronger for not being balanced - as in keeping the same relative angle, but in better alignment so as to see the housing equally. The focus is crisp and well done. I think this area is the strongest part of the mage.

Color - in light on white I would not expect to see a lot of color. However, your control of the white is fairly good. The shadow is not so strong so as to become a distraction and the dark and light areas on the face allow for a nice contrast without being overbearing. The small spot of red

Lighting - lighting here appears to be lit from one side only. There are no flares or glares which is good. All areas appear to be evenly lit which helps the composition greatly. The right side of the subject starts to get a bit bright, but all the detail is still present.

Challenge requirements - this meets the requirements quite well. The background has a slight blue tinit to it that may have been corrected in processing, but it is not so strong that it becomes a negative. Perhaps a bounced light on the wall would have helped keep it all white or a stronger white.

Overall/my opinion - this is an interesting composition that technically is very well done. slightly different lighting may have helped as it would have eliminated the blue tint seen in the edges and corners. For a minimalistic image there really is more to grab your attention that a quick glance will not allow to be seen. I think it would have been much stronger with a slightly different crop and a little better lighting on the background.

Untitled
by bernmay

Comment:
Hello from the Critique Club!

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

Composition/perspective - this is a well done macro shot with just the right amoung of flower to keep it from being too busy, but not too little that it is unidentifiable. The DoF is very well controlled and almost the entire shot is in focus. The detail that can be seen in the petals is great and the water drops are a nice touch that add an even more delicate aspect. I think it is stronger as a side shot and not a top down shot. There is more depth to it. Well done!

Color - being a white rose there is not much color. The subtle variations in the petals can be seen which add a sort of flow to the overall view.

Lighting - another strong aspect of this shot. The shadows are not overbearing and nothing is blown out. The reflections on the drops are not too bright to be a distraction, but bright enough to let them stand out and be well defined with a nice contrast between the bright and dark sides of them.

Challenge requirements - this meets the requirements very well. I think without the water it would lose some of the delicate impression. There are just enough to help with the effect and not too many to be overwhelming.

Overal/my opinion - this image is very appealing. Your choice of white was a good one. A darker color such as red may not have had the same effect and the red may have been overbearing. Technically is it well done and demonstrates good control with the combined elements - camera, subject, etc. Well done!

handled delicately
by TOY

Comment:
Hello from the Critique Club!

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

Composition/perspective - this is a strong image with a good overall composition. The subject is pretty much the whole image. For the challenge this may be where it fell a bit short. Your perspective is good and captured the essence of the activity quite well without any added distractions. The detail and focus is well done as well as the placement of the subject within the frame.

Color - the colors in this image are fairly strong and well defined. The palette does not have a lot of gradients. Although it covers a broad spectrum from the deep reds and browns to the bright yellows and whites, it is contained so that the bleed between these colors is minimal - hard edges. This may add to the overall crispness of the image. But the exposure time works against that.

Lighting - appears to be nautural light with reliance on the sparks as the main source. This may have influenced your exposure time but hurt in the overall image. The sparks as well as portions of the hands appear blown out which is a contradiction to the overall dark appearance of the scene. Some of the deifnition of the fingers is lost as well as a blending of the streaks of the sparks. Kind of like taking a picture of moving water - a fine balance needs to be applied. The center of the streaks appears blown out/over bright.

Challenge requirements - without the title I would not associate this with Delicate at all. It is a very hard scene with an extremely hard selection of subject matter to view. The sparks are the only delicate aspect and they are bled together to appear as streaks which removes any delicate apsect. There is nothing to suggest delicate handling as your title suggests other than an individual viewpoint.

Overall/my opinion - this could have been a much stronger image with better control over shutter speed and lighting. The scene being so dark, except for the streaks, needed something to boost it up. The longer exposure time failed to do that although I think that is what you were going for. The hands are a bit of a distraction since some of the surfaces are blown out and lacking any definition.

RAIDDD!!!!!!!!!!
by totaldis

Comment:
This would be a lot better if you actually used Raid in your photo.

So young and delicate...
by moonjeong

Comment:
Hello from the Critique Club!

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

Composition/perspective - your use of negative space the having your subject fill the entire bottom half of the photo work real nice together. The synergy makes the photo real and not just another 'baby' shot. The focus is a little soft but it does not hurt the image much. The DoF is well controlled as the forground, although a but fuzzy, is not so far out that it becomes a distraction. Taking the shot at her level really works as well. A top down shot would not be as good and would appear flat in my opinion.

Color - this is where the image falls short I think. It has a distinct yellow tinge to the whole image. Perhaps a white balance adjustment in post processing or a levels/color/hue adjustment would have helped. The small splash of red is ok, the hair is ok, it is the skin tones and general background that give it a distinct yeollow tint. This may have been due to lighting in which an adjustment to the white balance in camera would have eliminated that.

Lighting - this appears to have been shot with just the ambient lighting and no flash. On camera flash may have helped this some along with white balance (see above). There are no blown out areas or really dark shadows which also leads me to believe it was simply camera settings that let this down.

Challenge requirements - the expression of being completely at ease in this shot is one of the strongest aspects. It is also his/her (?) expression that lends itself to the theme of 'delicate.' In my opinion if she was awake it would not have that same feeling. Nice capture of the mood to express the theme.

Overall/my opinion - the lighting was the biggest detractor in this image. Although the subtle lighting makes it work on some levels, the overall yellow tint to the image hurt it. It is a beautiful capture that some processing could probably make even stronger. I would not can the photo, but I would work on it in an editor for sure. Your perspective and eye for the moment are clearly demonstrated here. I am sure we will all be graced with more images of this child as it grows.