High Ho Silver
by pats66

Comment:
PS
I see this is your first Challenge entry. Congratulations on taking the plunge and welcome to DPC.

High Ho Silver
by pats66

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
Oh, I did like this during voting, but the main subject - 'High Ho Silver' was placed too high in the frame for me (no pun intended). I gave this a 6.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
A deeper depth of field to get more of the horse's features in focus would have been better in my opinion.

Toning: I am a little undecided on the high key b&w effect for this image, I don't think it is enhancing the subject - but with a little more depth/contrast, perhaps. Composition: as mentioned, I think the horse is placed to high within the frame - I wonder about a tighter crop on the left and at the bottom, if the quality was there.

I know this image is being mostly about the horse, but there is still a rider there and they are not making eye contact with the camera, nor looking in the direction of the camera, minor, but I still think it has an impact on the 'connectionability'.

Some interesting elements in the image, especially the 'braces' (no idea what they are called) on the horse's hooves/ankles - alas the detail is near lost.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
264/419 is a fairly good showing in a Free Study, and a score of 5.45 also so. Horses are always a favorite (including with me).

All of your commenters were taken with the image and this is affirmed by their average score given of 7.33.

Summary
Good capture, and an artistic processing, which as mentioned, is a little too 'depthless' for me, but obviously appeals to many others - and if you prefer it this way, then that is the main thing. A variation in cropping I think would definitely have given the image a little more edge.

Summer Radiance
by Senay

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
Ah - I pull another of your images, the luck of the draw. I gave this image a 5 in voting. First impressions, as best I recall were: a nice face which shows the eyes fairly well.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
The focus seems sharpest on her hair, which the lighting also helps, as it is strongest there. There is fairly good lighting in her left eye, but a more even spread across the face, or just a little more on the right, would have been better, for this style portrait, in my opinion. 1/15 shutter speed?, hmm... for a portrait, that's a long time to ask someone to stay still.

Compositionally, I think the eyes placed further up the frame and a tighter crop at the top of her head/hair, would have allowed more balance. I think there's also room to take some off the left side of the frame, despite the fairly good negative space use.

I don't mind the framing so much, but not sure it is enhancing her features, especially her eyes. Although it does look like you've made an effort to try to pick up and use the color of her eyes.

It would be nice to see this young lady with a little more subtle make up - remembering that the photograph will pick up every little flaw. The mascara seems a bit 'clagged'.

The natural light is nice, but giving a little direction to your subject, especially to work with the light better and allow it to highlight her various features, including by experimenting with angles and poses, may have produced something a little stronger. There are overexposed areas on the face, so adjusting your exposure levels and/or adjusting the position to the light, would have helped there.

The background seems very dull and uninteresting and with the somewhat muted colors, blends in all the more. Minor, but her t-shirt softened to not be so noticeable may have also helped a little.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
346/419 seems a bit harsh for the image, I think it has good potential and you are on the right track. 5.13 is an ok score, especially in a Free Study.

You certainly got some extra-helpful comments during voting that provide excellent pointers for future use and learning.

Summary
Good potential that may have been able to be tweaked in pp, but I think the main ingredients need to be had in camera at the time of shooting. You're on the right track, good luck with the next portrait. Experiment, experiment, experiment.

edit:typo

Message edited by author 2009-08-09 09:02:57.

Swings and the Ferris Wheel
by KidKilowatt

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
Oh, yes, an easy image for me to comment on. I gave this a 7 during voted and really liked it. First impression was, as best I recall, super strong composition and the grain really worked in this image, giving it an old world, almost 50's feel.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
Ahh, on reading your Photographer's Comments I see the 'noise' was deliberate. Good call.

I really like your choice of crop and the somewhat muted colors. My biggest nit-pick is probably the vignetting, it does add to a feel overall, but I'd like to see it a little more subtle.

It is a fun shot and there is a nice harmony/balance in the fashions and facial expressions/poses.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
114/419, I'd guess is a good placing, considering this is likely not to many people's taste. Score of 6.01 is good, at least you made it over the 6 line for an unusual and unique type image, especially one that uses grain/noise as you have.

Most of your commenters enjoyed the use of grain/noise. With 13 comments and an average commenter's vote of 8.0, that is pretty good going in itself.

Summary
Maybe a more refined crop at the top, but very minor. As much as like the mutedness of the image, perhaps a fraction tweaking for a tiny bit more pop, which would also likely enhance the grain and give it touch more grit and 'life', but your call of course. A good unique image and capture of an interesting juxtaposition, well seen.

Love the light at sunset....
by StormyWeathers

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
The light is nice. A bit of a snapshot feel to the image, however the quality and lighting pull it beyond that 'realm'. I gave this a 4 during voting.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
Photographic technicals all look to have worked quite well. What would really strengthen this image is a refined crop, or, in retrospect (so as to speak), to be able to 'align' the background behind him, especially the head area, to complement him.

As is, whilst I like the vertical framing and think this does suit this, I think a tighter crop may have given this a little extra. I did try it, but after doing so not sure, it changes the feel of the image. I guess it depends what you were aiming for. The shadow is interesting on the left, but it is 'chopped', the rocks are a nice element, and I like the 'boyhoodness' of his clothing, including his sandals. If the quality is there, this image likely lends itself well to a head and shoulders crop, especially to really showcase that nice catch of light in his eyes.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
373/419 is fairly low down the pack and your score of 4.92 seems a bit harsh for the quality of the image. My only guess (before reading the comments) is that people may not have lingered long enough to appreciate the interesting elements to the image.

All your comments are helpful, one in particular extremely so.

Summary
Of course a personal image, which I'm sure will be treasured, but given a similar opportunity again, just a fraction check on the surroundings and composition and, if possible without ruining 'a moment', some encouragement or direction to allow the boy's character to shine through a little more.

Olive's Virgin Nectar
by rmezzo

Comment:
7 - Ooo, what a nice way to present mozzarella and tomato (needs more basil). Wish the plate didn't dominate the image so much and I do wish to see a bit more oil, especially for the Challenge. Bit of salt, mmm.

arc of water droplets
by LuckyShot

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
I like the stop motion capture. I gave this image a 6 during voting.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
Just read your Photographer's Comments - hard life in Fiji taking images such as this. Also seems you were mindful of similar images, so were therefore trying to create one yourself, I think some minor adjustments would have produced a strong contender to go along with the other images of this subject, without a problem.

Composition wise, I think it works centered, however the background 'white' throws the balance out a little, but mostly it is the tilted horizon that distracts me. A rotate up on the right would have been better, and would also have cut out the minor but slightly distracting area around the lower back. It's a fun type shot, but if you were looking for something with more 'aesthetic impact', trying to get the 'model' to hold a facial pose, would have also packed a little more punch - but depends what you were aiming for.

Lastly, I did (and do) wonder about throwing this into a sepia or other toned image, but the red bikini is a good element, maybe some experimenting to showcase that more, not sure.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
216/419 is obviously around middle of the road, as is the score of 5.65 - I must say I'm somewhat surprised by the placement - I think the shot has good potential, it's a good capture, just needs a little refining, especially in pp. Having said that, I do like the natural sun glow and skin tones and 'feel' relayed within the image.

Just read your two comments and wonder this is why you mention this type of image here on DPC. That doesn't matter if it has been done before - there's always going to be a unique image of it. Has it been done like this in a 'real situation'? - with 'real fun' ? - who knows, again, doesn't matter.

Summary
A fun capture, literally.

I experimented a little with your image to give an indication of the refinement I spoke of:



(The above image will be removed in the next few weeks.)

Punch Bowl Falls
by dpcollins

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
Beautiful scene. I gave this image a 7 in voting.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
The strongest part of this image is in the fore, in my opinion, especially the left hand side. I really like the fern on the rocks and the moss/lichen(?), contrasted by the striking black rocks and then the large river stones/pebbles visible under the water. I also like the fact that you can see some detail in the distance beyond the waterfall.

Composition wise, I think that the image/scene has more potential than the crop and composition has 'used'.

With an aperture of F/9, I wonder whether that is contributing to your 'blown' waterfall that also lacks some detail. The sky in the rear I am a little torn about cropping out, especially when the reflection is also in the water. I'm thinking either a very bold crop to hone in on one region of the image, likely the left - or otherwise more included at the top (if you had it of course) - but then there would likely be some serious RAW tweaking and layer playing to try to retain your sky and still showcase the greens and the water etc in the fore.

The balance just seems off as is with the horizontal framing, as many of the elements lend themself to a more vertical frame (the rock faces, the pebbles, etc). If the quality was there to allow you to play with crop variations, you might have been able to produce some stronger images - albeit different ones, if that makes sense.

Lastly, the frame (which I didn't take much notice of during voting), is perhaps a little too dominant for the image - and only emphasises the horizontal framing/crop of the image, which is working against it, in my opinion.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
161/419 with a score of 5.81 is a decent placement in a Free Study and the score perhaps reflects the fact that voters were not drawn into the scene as much as they could have been with a little more drama.

I'm a sucker for waterfall images, especially with surrounding foliage and elements - after this indepth study, perhaps I would have reviewed my score, but nevertheless, I was pleased with the capture of the scene during voting.

Some of your commenters were hit with the 'memories impact', one seems to offer a good (and helpful) pointer regarding your composition.

Summary
A beautiful scene that, if you get to visit again, I would try experimenting with different depths of field and compositions. I do like the angle of this image. Overall, a sound capture of this scene.

Low Tide
by orvaratli

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
Ah good, an easy critique for me - you know I liked this. I gave this an 8. Beautiful scene, beautiful colors and nicely captured elements.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
Composition wise - the biggest issue I had with this image is the solitary rock in the middle at the bottom of the frame. I liked that it gave more context and think that it cropped out might leave the image unbalanced... but not sure. It may also allow that interesting underwater detail to come into play more too, which would be a very good thing.

For an aperture of f7.1 there is an amazing amount of detail in the image, but I can't help but wonder about an increase in the aperture to allow even more detail, especially in the fore rocks, water and also the 'greenery'.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
Average of 8.33 from your commenters speaks for itself, they were all taken with the image. Nothing in your comments gives you any 'critiquing' of the image itself, which makes it difficult if you are seeking that, which I guess you must be if you ticked the CC box. A few mention the location is familiar to them, I wouldn't be phased by that at all. The same scene has a myriad of images to be captured of it and each photographer has their own style. It also creates a challenge for you to capture the scene in your own way, and uniquely, each time you visit it.

I just read your Photographer's Comments and glad to see what I just said was spot on to your outlook for this. Good stuff.

As for your score, 13/419 is excellent placing in a Free Study, however I'm somewhat surprised to see your score of 6.69. You got 160 votes, which is around 10 more than the average I've seen so far, which I guess is indicative of the power of the thumbnail view.

Summary
With the image/scene captured as is, I think more detail and a slight crop refinement, and possibly a fraction more light on the land, may produce an even stronger image.

Fourth of July Sky
by Pipe_Dream

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
Nice colors and long exposure effect. I gave this a 6 in voting.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
I wonder whether a little deeper DOF would have allowed more detail in the water and fore rocks to come into play. Compositionally it is quite sound, although the unlevel horizon bothers me slightly, which I imagine a perspective correction or even 'straightening' would fix. The flag is an interesting element, but seems a bit out of place composed within the frame as is.

The colors are good in the sky and on the water, but there seems a slight cast on the fore rocks, but could be enhanced by the sunset glow and the color of the rocks themself, either way, I wonder about tweaking them a fraction in pp to lessen the.. magenta (not sure).

Comments, Score & Placement Review
154/419 and a score of 5.84 is decent in a Free Study.

An average of 6.5 from your commenters seems like some honest voting that matches some of their comments. I agree with the placement of the horizon and also wonder about a variation of that to showcase other elements of the image, however it does still work as is.

Summary
Some tweaking in pp to adjust the color and some slight perspective correction would likely have produced a stronger image. Whether a variation in crop would enhance the image, I'm doubtful - I think it would just produce 'another' image, showcasing the top or bottom part of the image, which both have their own unique elements.