BASALT
by stfleck

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
Nice showcase of the colors of this rock, I like how you've shown it in context, in situ.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
640 would have been better, if the quality was there. A more refined crop at the bottom to eliminate the green foliage. Given the predominantly square shaped rocks in this, I think a square framing/crop would have likely enhanced the subject and image. The OOF (out of focus) fore bottom right detracts, but fairly minor - a deeper DOF (depth of field) might have eliminated that and also showcased more texture in the rocks as well.

The purple colored section on the right, throws the overall balance out slightly, so perhaps paying attention to that when choosing where to crop may have helped refine the image even further.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
69/82? - hmm, the colors grabbed people's attention, but I guess the scene didn't hold their interest long enough.

Summary
I think the potential is there with the image as is (quality pending), but a more refined crop and some tweaking in pp is needed to bring it to life more. Good meet of the Challenge.

no parking.
by andrewreiner

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
Interesting scene, with good potential, not sure this couple give the edge it needs. I do like the contrast of words (ACTIVE) and age of the couple. Colors work quite well.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
You really like the image, that's the main thing. Composition is difficult, because the 'driveway' is your frame.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
41/135 and 5.52 is pretty good for this Challenge. You have a lot of praise in your comments, so a lot of people liked this.

Summary
I like the scene and the colors, well seen, I like how you've framed it - but the candids, together, don't quite pack enough punch for me.

Colourful activity
by Richter

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
Oh, really like those rich colors. Alas the highlight of this image is the 'blue pool' at the fore and it is 'cut'.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
I don't know what was there, but 'if only' you could have gained a perspective further to the right, to retain the rich green slope in the rear and include the entire 'shape' of the fore 'pool' of .. whatever that is. It just throws the composition out too much. Maybe as is, a bold cropping (if you had to chop it), may have been ok, so long as you can still see the geological elements - which I think for this Challenge could have been even more dominant.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
15/82 is good, very good - you know that Icelandic landscape is a winner. Commenters all seem to like it.

Summary
For this Challenge would like to have seen the unusual geological formations in more detail, some wonderful textures there. The landscape view does still showcase them, but the composition as is doesn't showcase how they all fit together so well in the scene.

Squeezebox In The Summer
by tommyp

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
Catchy title. Makes me think of The Who. If only the image came with a soundbyte. Despite all the 'contents', I'd still like to see more street context for this Challenge. Definitely like to see eye contact, if not some facial expression.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
The lighting is a little poor and some tweaking in pp (post-processing) may have given this an edge (without blowing the visible light out that is in the image). Seems some slight blur as well, but could be focal issues, difficult to tell, so again some tweaking in pp may have helped. I see you had this on 1/4 second - can't help but wonder about a longer exposure with a lower ISO, to gain some movement in the squeezebox.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
102/135 and 4.87 is not the strongest score and placement, but my guess is that there's nothing engaging enough to hold the voters' attention - such as eye contact or facial expression/character capture. The other elements around are not that interesting to look at and the focus is not sharp enough to 'wander through' them.

The comments are all helpful.

Summary
With some tweaking in pp, I think this image might have held a little more depth and interest. It is a good scene and well spotted, perhaps waiting for 'the moment', or even asking for a shot, may have produced a more engaging photograph.

Passing Cyclist
by nivek248

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
Ah, good, I like this. This is what photography can capture so uniquely. I like the juxtaposition of the basketed bicycle parked under a tree and a passing cyclist with all the gear whizzing by.

Looks like there might even be a 'scooter thing' there too.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
Composition - I like the composition but the cars in the rear do detract, maybe a slightly tighter crop at the top, not sure, as it seems to remove the needed space. Maybe the focal point slightly to the fore more may have blurred the background. Some slight blur in the bicycle, but you obviously didn't have much time with this. Perhaps tweaking in pp may have assisted - in b&w it might not be so noticeable (but you'd lose the motion element).

Comments, Score & Placement Review
Difficult, as this is an unconventional 'street photography' image, but given the main subject, I believe it squeezes in. 53/135 and 5.37 is not bad - quite a difficult shot. All your commenters like it.

Summary
Unique image that would likely lose impact in b&w. I see this is your first submission to DPC - nice start. It takes a good eye to see a scene like this and think quickly enough to take the opportunity to photograph it too.

Fiddler
by choltmeier

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
I like the candid nature to this and the focal point and the focus of the fiddler on his fiddling.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
Composition wise, I'd like to see more context for this Challenge. The OOF forearm detracts a little, but difficult to get the good focal point you have and include that as well. I wonder whether a fraction darker may have softened the white areas, which, while not blown, seem to dominate the balance slightly, but fairly minor. Again, slightly darker may have brought a little more feel and drama to the textures and facial features. The crop of the hand/fingers detracts, but my guess is you didn't have it to include or you would have. This image is one that I think would be good, if not better?, in b&w.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
12/135, well there ya go - you'd be happy with that, especially with a 5.96. Somebody else noticed the string ends - I like that element too.

Summary
Nice candid, but I wish the face dominated more than the color of the clothing does, but mostly, I'd just like a little more 'street' for this Challenge.

Found Object: Alone in the Street
by kyen

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
Hmm, deliberate or rushed - look at title... Is it a cigarette butt or a pencil... doesn't matter as it doesn't hold my interest long enough. The swirling 'S' leads my eye, onto the people, the back left person in shorts and orange 'thing' detract from the image and make me lose interest. The tilt of the image I find distracting, but that is something that I usually find distracting.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
Just read your comments and see you did try to straighten this but didn't like it. Well, of course, it's your call. I can only give you my opinion. On straightening, it may have allowed you to crop out that person/orange thing and still retained your 'object', maybe. If going for the 'skewed' tilt look, maybe more extreme may have given this an edge.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
Not many comments, but not much can be said with this image. You submit this image because it appeals to you, which is of course the main thing. I also like the POV but the subjects/objects within it, as they are, don't hold my attention. 4.45 is a fairly low score for this Challenge and perhaps if the image grabbed the voter's attention instantly with a main 'feature', it may have prompted them to score this higher after studying the image. My guess is that they went on first impressions, which is often the case here. Maybe trying to showcase your 'object' with a tighter crop, sacrificing some context, may have packed more punch, but then, you'd likely lose the street photography feel.

Summary
As is, a more refined crop may have refined the image and retained your vision, otherwise, I'm left thinking this is more of a snapshot rather than what appears to be a deliberate attempt at a different vantage point by you. Perhaps next time shooting off a dozen or more and picking the most interesting captures. Of course, apologies in advance if this is what you did do.

War Torn
by CorySmith

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
Street doesn't instantly come to mind. Looks a little posed and not so candid, as I would expect to see (mostly) for street photography.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
Of course the benefit of post challenge comments is you get to see more information on the photograph - like the location. Photojournalism opportunities must abound where you are and your call to submit this type of image for this Challenge, but I don't get a strong street photography feel from it - maybe more context, who knows. Your call at any rate and, as mentioned in your Photographer's Comments, this image is part of a series you are doing on Women in War.

The lighting is good and I like the way you have captured her eyes and her focus - but again, not what I would be looking for in a Street Photography image. Whilst the isolated focus brings her into play well, I am interested in the background and so in this image, wish for a little deeper DOF. Composition wise - a little too centered for me, but again, hard to comment when I'm wanting more context anyway. I think a tighter crop, especially above her head, brings her eyes out more and adds a little more drama, for what it's worth.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
Comments seem to reflect some of what I have said above - it's a good portrait, but not carrying a street phtoography feel to it. 5.5 is good, it has a good quality feel to it and 42/135, amongst stronger contenders for the 'theme' is also a good placement.

Summary
I like the out of the box take on the Challenge, but just wish it had more context, which by default would give the image more of a story.

stone face
by JMoreira

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
Nice collection of 'stones'. Second thing I looked at was your title, which made me look for a face - I thought I saw one, but then the 2 other stones/rocks/crystals/etc threw me. Maybe the face was within one of the 'stones' - I think I saw something there, maybe. I gave up and looked at the image as a whole, within the context of the Challenge. It came across as a fairly static, straight up image of a collection of crystals/etc. The OOF (out of focus) upper left one lessens the overall quality of the image.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
If I interpret your Photographer's Comments correctly, it sounds like you put effort into your lighting and setup - which has produced a nice effect, but it slightly softer, with a smoother gradient effect, would enhance the image (and subjects) better in my opinion. The reflections are not strong enough to feature and too subtle and oddly placed that they almost become a distraction, but fairly minor.

Compositionally, it doesn't have strong balance, especially for a horizontal framing.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
You have two especially good and helpful comments that I agree with. 5.21 is quite a good score for this Challenge, and the placement not bad, but given some of the other scores, I might have expected it to be a little higher ranked.

Summary
I like the way the colors are showcased against your backdrop/lighting and like the choice of crystals, just wish I could see more detail in them. The upper right one is the most intriguing, to me.

Canal Street
by Doubledizzle

Comment:


Critique Club Critique

First Impressions
Interesting - I like the focus on her. Her pink jacket brings her into play more. I like the centered composition and framing too.

Photograph Information, Technicals & Composition Review
1.8 explains your nice shallow focus. Not bad sharpness for 1/50. As mentioned, I like your choice of composition and think it suits this well.

It seems a candid, but the expression is not so interesting to me. She is aware, but seemingly only just - this translates to a slightly intrusive feel, for me as a viewer. This could be your intent within the image.

Comments, Score & Placement Review
Top 10 is definitely a good place to finish. A lot of praise in your comments and a few fans thrown in too. 6.06 and top ten - very cruisey.

Summary
An interesting image that might not have worked in b&w, nice close up style of Street Photography that met the Challenge.