Leaf Frosting
by slackboy

Comment:
2 - Seemingly good potential. Criticism; needs to be bigger, 640 height in this case. Especially at this size, it is difficult to ascertain where the focal points/DOF come into play. The centered composition works, especially with the vertical framing, but perhaps a variation may have given this something extra, not sure. Just bigger, more detail on the leaf/texture/edges and being able to discern the 'shallow DOF' more, would have made this much better in my opinion.

Out of Season
by lyta

Comment:
7 - Nice. Criticism; difficult, perhaps it is the focal point, I don't know, but 'if only' the bird just 'popped' more, especially against the 'shallow' background, make this even better in my opinion. Perhaps tweaking of the colors/contrast, but likely difficult, not sure. Nice scene and composition, but not sure if a different cropping may have helped 'pop' the bird more, who knows. Up to 7 from 6.

Death March
by robjamez

Comment:
7 - Good use of shallow DOF. Symmetry looks very good and near perfect. Criticism; not much, maybe the focal point slightly more fore but your call. The 'base' seems to have very slight gamma issues but it could be the texture/fabric, minor anyway. Perhaps a slightly tighter crop on the left, not sure.

Mrs Cardinal
by bormic

Comment:
7 - Very nice. Colors seem very 'true' so well done. Criticism; having said that, perhaps if the colors were 'tweaked' just a fraction to get them a little bolder, more contrast (difficult likely to not distort), may have made this even better in my opinion. The tail of course, but you know that. Nice capture. Perhaps a fraction sharper on the eyes too, but difficult. Up to 7 from 6.

Frosty's sustenance
by M.O.C.

Comment:
7 - Very nice. Toning works well. Criticism; very difficult, but even sharper on the 'flakes' so they 'pop' more, would have made this even better in my opinion. Likely difficult to adjust the contrast/etc. Perhaps a slightly different composition/framing, not sure. Good use of shallow DOF.

After Death. Before Life.
by fiverivers

Comment:
7 - Like this. Good colors. Criticism; difficult, as the 'fore' shallow DOF parts add a good element to this, but I think that a crop/framing variation and possibly even 'wider', would have made this even better in my opinion.

Flower or Butterfly??
by Aussie_Bluey

Comment:
7 - Very nice. Coloring is true - I almost submitted 'one of these', but the quality is nothing like this. Good use of shallow DOF to bring out the color and character in this flower. Criticism; 640 height, possibly the top stamens/anthers in focus too (difficult likely) and perhaps trying to incorporate/enhance the color of what appears to be more of them in the background, so perhaps just more 'space' up the top, likely make this even better in my opinion. (Butterfly Clerodendrum, Blue Glory Bower (Clerodendrum ugandense) if you are interested and did not know the name).

Morning Flight
by Mary Ann Melton

Comment:
7 - Nice capture. Good DOF. Nice and simple. Criticism; 'if only' the head were as sharp (but might be just not discernable at this size, apologies if wrong) as the chest/body seems to be, make this even better. Like the way that the body 'pops' against the shallow DOF. Good wing movement capture, extremely difficult to get those 'still'. Perhaps a crop variation, especially on the left, the dark area, but not sure. Quality dependent, just a tighter zoom may have also given this that little 'extra' (especially to show more detail at this size) and made it even better, in my opinion. edit:typo & congratulations

Message edited by author 2005-12-28 19:41:43.

Ol' Dawg
by Azrifel

Comment:
7 - Nice capture. Good use of grain and the toning. Criticism; difficult, but likely prefer the body not cropped, but depending of course what you had to work with and indeed wanted. The shallow DOF is still able to be seen even with the toning and grain so well done. Like the sharpness in the eyes, and the way the whole ears/face 'pop'. Good shot. Perhaps a 'wider' frame, again depending what you had, bringing the whole body in would have made this even better, in my opinion.

Sappy Holidays!
by MrsFuzzButt

Comment:
4 - Good potential. Unique shot. Without your title, likely wouldn't discern it during voting. Criticism; more 'balance' here, and a sharper perspective, or more of a macro if possible, to gain more detail in the sap and 640 width, would have made this better in my opinion. Incorporating or 'losing' that dark area bottom left and just a finer focus, especially on the sap, and ideally one or two rings in the cut wood would also have likely helped this. The frame detracts, especially at this size, plus there is an 'issue' on the left with it.