Dream's Pale Castle
by posthumous

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
I like this. Really like the perspective, especially when taken of a bird. At first glance I wondered if the bird was alive, as the feathers seem a little 'unruly', however the pose/position of the beak makes me think he/she is indeed alive and well in a Dream's Pale Castle.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
Difficult, as you obviously had a vision here and kept experimenting until you captured an image as close as possible to it. For me, I like the very shallow DOF and like the focal area/point, but do wish that either a fraction wider to allow more of the crow in, as well as the surrounding stone, or else, just shifted a little, in lieu of the stone and to get more crow. I like the 'blown outness' of this. The main thing that bothers me is that dark area (roof?) at the top of the image. Maybe just less of it (perhaps cropped), or else none, maybe. It competes against the crow too much for attention, especially because it is the only other dark area in the image.

I like the placement within the frame, especially with the direction the crow is looking/facing.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
80/81 is too harsh in my opinion, but what can you do. Same with the score of 4.25 - I'd expect an 'artistic' style image such as this to score low, but maybe closer to the 5 mark. I'd hazard a guess it was the overexposure that burned people's eyes and made them score low - without lingering to 'get it'. Of course, maybe they 'got it' but it just isn't their thing.

An average score from your commenters of ... 3 is telling and does match their comments, which seem honest enough.

Summary
For me, whilst this could be a movie poster, I don't gel with the title befitting a movie - a book or poem, yes, perhaps. Otherwise, a unique image and vision. Just wish the crow didn't compete with the stone and that other dark area, 'somehow'.

edit:typo

Message edited by author 2009-10-29 15:21:51.

Dark Phantom's Castle
by Rino63

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
I like this. Really like the processing and it suits your title and the Challenge well.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
A lot of processing there (just read your Photographer's Comments). The effect is good. I do wish this image had a whisker nudge up on the left to straighten the building (house!). I like the bridge placement in the composition, but do wonder whether more drama could have been achieved in this image overall by a slightly more angled perspective. Minor, but the bench/seat element detracts slightly from the 'fantasy' mood and feel of the building and what it conjures up in the imagination, especially with the help of your good title.

Maybe a little darker overall, but that is personal taste. The bottom right chain post/structure perhaps cropped and/or cloned out would be better, however I do see the boat dilemma.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
5/81 is excellent scoring and your score of 6.83 very strong.

You received a good mix of interesting and well thought out comments. I tend to wonder also about this not cropped so tightly and allowing a little more 'distance'. But maybe that was not possible with the surrounds or maybe you wanted it this tightly cropped.

Summary
Despite what I said above about the bridge, it is slightly unsettling that the 'leading line'' (entrance) to the building is positioned in the left of frame - for some reason I find it hard to be easily 'drawn into' the building - if that makes sense. I like the contrasting effects within the image and for me, a little more depth/darkness and drama, would have packed a little more punch.

LIVE :: WORK :: PLAY
by ericwoo

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
I like the centered reflection, the reflected colors and lights are good, but detail seems lacking. The square crop seems a bit misplaced, especially with the half building on the left.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
As mentioned above, the crop, especially on the left needs refining - the overall balance is out. Appears to be some slight tilt happening too, so some straightening would help. Compositionally, whilst I like that you've centered the reflection, it does make the 'blackness' in the silhouetted trees dominate the image too much and whilst there is some unusual and good effect there in those trees, especially with some discernible shapes and subtle details and the interesting lights, there is not enough interest in them to compete with the main subject, the cityscape. Also, the composition as is, having the 'lesser quality reflection' using more real estate than the good clarity and exposure on the buildings, weakens the image somewhat and if it had been the reverse, would have produced a much stronger image. Of course, if the reflection were good, as is would likely work well too.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
11/159 and a score of 6.69 is very good scoring and placement. All of your commenters really liked this image and that is confirmed by the average vote from them of 8.0. I can't see any comments that give suggestions or criticism.

Summary
I like the blues and that interesting 'darkness', the little building is also interesting. Overall it is at first an odd contrast, between that 'lake scene' and the city and buildings in the background, my thoughts are that there is too much in this image competing for attention. Having said that, all these elements do grow on you the more you look at the image. The composition, framing and crop bother me a little though and I can't quite put my finger on what it is - I try to imagine a more vertical, taller framing, with more taken off the right hand side and wonder whether that may have given this the little extra this seems to need to make it more 'polished'. However, I do like the square crop as well. Either way, your vision, your call.

DEF-LEPPARD-260408-DPC2.jpg
by jblaylockrayner

Comment:
Thanks for sharing these. I did look soon after you uploaded back in 2008, but just wanted to actually say thanks and let you know someone appreciates the images and you sharing them. A comment on the picture? - You gotta laugh when you look at these guys in this particular picture... they got some good tunes though! ;) Very well photographed, as always - like those shiny red Macks Peterbilts(?) - trucks!

edit:correction

Message edited by author 2009-10-26 15:14:26.

Algonquin in October
by scruff

Comment:
8 - Beautiful captures.

Ees hampster Mr Fawlty. . . .
by burtct

Comment:
6 - I like your title. I wonder about a variation in size/proportions in #1 & #3 to allow #2 to dominate more - all three images are too similar and not really showcasing the £5 filigree Siberian hamster.

Stages
by Pug-H

Comment:
7 - Unique. Look at those bugs in the middle - ha. Looks like it needs a little further something, especially in the middle and end photograph - but could be the colors confusing my mind...

inevitability
by Lutchenko

Comment:
7 - Nice concept. I can imagine the title there in the space below - would look good. Difficult at this size, but a little sharper on #1 and more visible in #3. Middle one is delightful. Maybe the black frames a touch thinner, but again - the size restrictions. All just personal preference of course. Your vision.

Autumnal Mood
by h2

Comment:
8 - Beautifully done. Pesky pigeons.

Fireplace
by tinkie2010

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
Seems to meet the Challenge. Quite good symmetry. Perhaps could have been enhanced by some cloning out of minor issues here and there.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
A slighty deeper DOF would have allowed the flames (fire) to become more apparent.

Compositionally, don't mind the front on aspect, but perhaps a slightly tighter crop would have evoked a feeling of being 'in front of' this fire more. But depends what you were aiming for.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
61/96 and a score of 5.26 is a fairly good score for an entry that ended up in the bottom third.

Your commenters don't really give much indication of what they felt could have improved the image, save for perhaps the first comment.

Summary
I wonder about a more 'level' point of view/perspective, whether this may have given the image an edge. That coupled with the deeper depth of field, as mentioned above, would likely have produced a stronger image for this Challenge.

edit: typo

Message edited by author 2009-10-17 07:50:53.