Calm
by dr3amz

Comment:
8 - Like this, mostly for the shape/pattern of the waves on the shoreline, which obviously this size does not do justice to. Criticism; difficult, like to see those waves accentuated/used/enhanced more, but not sure if even a horizontal framing would do that. No idea how to adjust it, but as straight as the horizon seems, the reflection of the sunset on the water - if that was 'perfectly straight', may have made this even better in my opinion, hard to explain.

Journey
by Sammie

Comment:
8 - Really like this, I think it is the simplicity and the gracefulness that appeals most. Criticism; very difficult, especially with likely resulting contrast issues, but would like to see those birds 'pop' more against the sky, 'somehow'. The 'hazy' (and 'light') background still 'works', but again, if somehow to gain more 'pop' in the birds, may have made this even better in my opinion. Excellent capture.

Maurice
by jduffett

Comment:
8 - Good capture. Excellent coloring. Good detail. Criticism; difficult, but perhaps even sharper if possible (obviously camera/lens dependent), especially on that fur, (I like the pose/detail in the arms/fore paws) - like to be able to see more detail in those feet/claws too, but difficult to capture 'it all' in the squirrel. Perhaps a tighter crop (or even a vertical framing, not sure) enabling more 'zoom'/closer (quality dependent), may have also made this even better in my opinion. Like the 'context' of the brown 'twigs' top left, adds another element, which would obviously be lost in a vertical framing so who knows.

Sunset Coast
by marbo

Comment:
8 - Very nice, beautiful scene and colors. Criticism; like to see the green in the fore a little more 'rich' if possible. Not sure on the crop on the left, but depends what you had to work with, perhaps a little more of the 'shore' there, or else (again depending) a different angle, also of course, depending what is there, on the left of the cliffs. Perhaps a little less of the sky, as it isn't as interesting as the scenery (plus the clouds not being 'level', the 'cropping' on the right is more noticeable, if that makes sense), may have also made this better in my opinion.

Peace
by Amason

Comment:
8 - Beautiful scene. Lovely simple colors. Obviously the size doesn't do this justice, especially in the 'herd', which likely adds a very good element 'wall size'. Criticism; not much, perhaps the 'enclosure'/paddock/yard/whatever in the fore used more by choosing a more identical, but scaled frame (apologies if this is what you have done but hard to discern at this size), may have made this even better. Still, and especially at this size, I think slightly more 'height' (more than 380) may have helped this in this medium, especially to try to see/discern more detail in the church(?) and that 'herd', maybe. Not sure on the frame, works, but again, at this size may be a little 'thick', and I'd rather have had the extra pixels in detail in the previously mentioned subjects/aspects. Perhaps some 'pp softening' or such in the fore water/lake(?), as seems a touch grainy/blotchy (but again might be resizing issues).

Freedom
by samanwar

Comment:
8 - Excellent capture, including 'pose' capture. Seemingly very good control of the whites, especially on this light/white background. Really like how the tailfeathers appear almost translucent. Criticism; difficult, a little more detail in the 'fore wings' or even tips, may have made this even better, but likely lose the detail in the face/tail, so who knows. Not sure on the frame, seems a bit 'harsh' (especially the black & thickness) for the delicacy of the main features (feathers) of the bird.

Epilogue
by Zoomdak

Comment:
8 - Very nice. Nice sunset/cloud capture. Differing silhouette colors nice too. Criticism; possibly a crop variation, especially bottom fore left, 'dark something' there. Like to see 'somehow', a little more detail in the waves. Also, 'somehow', some more separation or definition between the fore/middle/distant rocks/mountains, mainly on the left, may have given this something 'extra'. Perhaps also some softening of the dark areas in the sky, seems a little blotchy but could be the resizing, may have made this even better in my opinion.

Vulture Culture
by MAK

Comment:
8 - Excellent capture, colors, facial detail/texture and seemingly white/contrast control. Criticism; I want to say 'if only' that beak were sharp too, but likely lose the effect on the face/eye, so who knows. Like the contrasting 'softness' of the feathers around the head, but if just a bit sharper/more detail/texture on that skin around the eye (whether or not retaining the soft feathers or gaining more detail in them, either way still effective), as difficult as that might be (and this size doesn't help), likely make this even better in my opinion. Two small 'white' marks, one on the start of the beak and one just below, on the feathers, if natural 'ok', if not then perhaps cloning out or such. Possibly an even tighter crop on the left, although the context is good as is, may also have made this even better, who knows. Not sure on the frame, especially the color(s) and white 'inner'.

Is it OK like that?
by bormic

Comment:
8 - Very good color capture/retention/contrast, excellent bokeh, especially on the right. Criticism; 'if only' this were 640, likely would give it a 9. Difficult to discern at this size (not just because you've only gone 550, but just the restrictions/medium), but seems you have good detail in the bird, especially the upper part. Like to see perhaps the feet a little more defined. Possibly some slight 'light' issues on the beak, but difficult I imagine to adjust, re contrast issues. If perhaps you could have adjusted the angle, to get that bokeh 'dappled red' uniform, likely have given this something extra and made it an even better shot, in my opinion - still very nice as is (the bokeh).

Pelican
by owen

Comment:
8 - Nice color capture. Like the crop. Criticism; possible white/contrast issues, but difficult I imagine in a shot like this. The black background is 'odd', but works nevertheless. Seems a few 'somethings' bottom left, with adv.editing perhaps cloning them out, who knows. The sharpness on the beak is good, perhaps just a fraction sharper on the eye, also that 'hair' at the back, 'somehow' detailed/texturized a little more, would likely have made this even better, in my opinion. Not sure, but looks like perhaps you did try to selectively do something with that 'hair', looks like a bit of 'shadowing', or something, not sure, could just be an odd 'bokeh', who knows. edit:typo

Message edited by author 2005-12-08 15:31:52.