They do grow up, don't they!
by kawesttex

Comment:
Technicals: I highly suggest you learn to use channel mixer for converting to B&W (if you use photoshop). You have a lot more control. To my eye the picture looks just a tad too sharp in places. The subject, unfortunately, is also lost in the BG. I know you were somewhat going for this, but you have to do it so the viewer understands the trike has been abandoned, but it actually stands out on a technical POV. Selective desat might be one application.

The feel: As mentioned in technicals, I think a limiting factor is the trike is too lost in the composition. Some of the textures, like the grass, are too harsh as well. This is a shot using some gaussian blur might even work better.

The game: Maybe even go for sepia? That might have added to the nostalgic feel and gotten you another tenth.

Fuzzy Skull Of Death (Or, Looks Like A Camel, Smells Like A Horse)
by chip_k

Comment:
Technicals: I think your 5.5 score on an animal portrait reflects the technicals are handled fairly well. Focus is on, DOF is appropriate, picture is sharp. All good stuff.

The feel: Doesn't really feel like a portrait, if you know what I mean. I've seen animal shots that truly feel expressive, but this isn't quite one of them. Probably a limiting factor.

The game: Again, I think you did pretty well at 5.5 with an animal shot. ;)

...by any other name, would smell as sweet
by Kelli

Comment:
Technicals: The lighting is nicely dynamic. We see a nice play among the petals.
The feel: Although the challenge is Fill the Frame, the good ones had a purpose for filling it. What is the purpose for the tight crop here? I'm not sure I get one. I've seen cropped roses before though that did accomplish this. Usually they had very delicate lighting, worked on an almost abstract level, or had a secondary subject like a waterdrop or a bug.

The game: With 137 challenges under your belt, I'm pretty sure you knew what you were getting into when you entered a heavily filtered shot like this. ;) Should have saved it for impressionism.

AJ
by tjbel05

Comment:
Technicals: I think the biggest thing limiting you here is the lighting. It's fairly flat. Interestingly, although your nephew looks nice and vertical, the lines in the house behind are off kilter. Sometimes that's a product of the house not being square with the face of the lens (rather than the picture really being that far off balance). Still, lines like that are unfortunate and it's good to try to avoid them or straighten them.

The feel: I do like the contemplative moment. One hard thing with portraits is that you know AJ and we don't so we don't see "inside" the look. That can be hard when presenting subtle shots to the masses.

The game: Because of both above the shot lacks "wow". If you are going for higher scores, you need more of this which could translate as more dynamic lighting or as a more expressive model.

Companions
by eqsite

Comment:
Congrats on the first ribbon and blue to boot! :)

G e n e s i s
by hihosilver

Comment:
WOOOOOOOO!!!! First ribbon! First blue! Sweet, sweet action!

Garden Spider
by JH

Comment:
yes, very nice. You do have to watch the natural light and time of day to get the maximum out of a shot. The dark background somewhat hurts this shot, although not by a ton.

...and he beheld a far green country under a swift sunrise.
by DrAchoo

Comment:

Originally posted by routerguy666: Did you really shoot this with your 180mm macro or is that an error?

Yes, it was shot with the 180mm macro.

City-Scape
by zaflabout

Comment:
Ah, brutal! The green ribbon on a 7.22. Ya, that stings a bit. But you have an awesome shot here.

Serene Scene
by wsteyn

Comment:
Congrats on the H.M. A great shot! Sorry no ribbon though. Don't worry, I'm quite sure you have many more ahead of you.