Trapped!
by Spartan151

Comment:
*Critique Club*

"Trapped!" is a great idea for the Square Crop challenge. I read your comments and you stated you still had the 150 dollar camera. I am not sure what mega pixel that camera would be but I would think you would be able to get a bigger resolution then 465*465.

The image itself is a great idea, I was surprised there weren't a bunch of DPCers trapped in a box for this challenge. I think black and white was probably the best choice with this shot, especially with the stripped shirt. One thing you might look at next time is how black the background is able to look in your shot. It looks like the flash may have been to bright also in the shot. Because of the flash it has created some hot spots on the image especially on the forearm and forehead. I really love the idea, I think the more challenges you enter the more you learn and will continue to grow.

Message edited by HBunch - fixed CC glitch.

Historian
by egillbjarki

Comment:
*Critique Club*

"Historian" is an excellent addition into the Square Crop challenge. Excellent 19th placement in such an huge challenge with 364 entries.

This image is prefect example of a black and white portrait. Something about the eyes just grabs you and pulls you into the image. I really don't see anything I would change, this is a great piece. After reading your comments I am sure it was hard to get him not to smile after graduating. But he does have that glazed over look I have because I work nights. I had to peek at your profile and you do amazing work with black and white portraits. I can say there is anything I would recommend this is just an excellent piece.

The Robber
by kmbr2001

Comment:
*Critique Club*

"The Robber" does meet the Square Crop challenge. I think you have a nice idea and something different to stand out within such a massive challenge.

The image itself has a nice feel to it, even though the subject is harder. First off I really do like the side lighting it gives the image a different perspective then we are used to seeing. I think like many of the commenting people have stated possibly a harsher look would have enhance the image. I think it is hard sometimes to look mean without corny. To me the look is almost a blank stare. I still like the image because you did something different. Also is his mask inside out? It seems to me maybe you were trying to point that out by using the lighting you choose.

Overall this is a nice photo, I think it would have scored higher with a meaner edge. Your lighting choices were a nice difference to have in the challenge.

On the Rocks
by gloda

Comment:
*Critique Club*

"On the Rocks" does meet the Square Crop challenge. I think the subject itself is very different and also has a different perspective then most people would choose, which I think is a great quality to have. Unfortunately I think a lot time voters and people in general automatically have idea of what they would do and that is what they want to see.

The image itself is very interesting and has to make you stop and look. I am very glad you choose black and white, it allows us to see the frozen ice and not focus on a large pink tongue. Also I like your DOF, personally. I think if you went with the foreground more in focus you would loose the subject. Personally I feel this is a great piece and nice addition to your collection. Good work!

Not Bifocals
by fotomann_forever

Comment:
*Critique Club*

"Not Bifocals" defiantly meets the criteria of the pick two challenge. Normally I would say wow all those comments, but come on look at the photo of course that makes people want to comment. I personal thought with your fan base the score would have been higher, but hey top 50% and 60 comments not too bad.

As for the photo itself, it just has to make you laugh. It defiantly is a signature piece for you, I am really torn as to which one I do like better Peanut Butter or Cheese. I think you will probably be remembered as the cheese man but the extra characteristics of this shot make it just a little bit better. Like including the high heel, and something I missed during voting the peanut butter on the mustache. Overall this is a nice clean shot with good lighting and of course excellent subject!

PS I love the coach. It looks really expensive is that the reason for generic peanut butter (just kidding)

What's out there?
by InnaN

Comment:
*Critique Club*

"What's out there?" is a great addition into the Square Crop challenge. Pretty good score in such a huge challenge. I think top 20% in a challenge that has 364 entries is great. This image was one of my personal favorites in the challenge.

The image is self is extremely striking. I think what I see at first glance is a photographer who was able to capture the essence of a child. The look in his eyes is amazing. The composition is just wonderful, he is placed just perfected and nothing feels to tight or over cropped. Also the reflection of his finger is what really grabs your attention. The only thing I see in the image is the white spot close to the top on the window frame (I think). Granted when I was voting through the challenge that didn't take away from my score, but it really is the only thing I would want to try and fix. Overall this is just an excellent piece, like your others. Great job!

Boxed In
by jpochard

Comment:
*Critique Club*

Wow look at all those comments! That really is amazing. I usually only see that many comments on an awful photo, which your is defiantly not. I was reading your personal comments about the photo and see you were a little bummed about the score, unfortunately on the photos I think will do best that always happens to me. I also think voters get burned out when the challenge has so many entries.

On to the image itself... "Boxed In" defiantly meets the Square Crop challenge. This first thing that grabs my attention is the pink. I think pink was a prefect choice it really grabs viewers. The only thing I would play with is the lighting on her upper arm and the little tie on the bottom of her shirt. I am sure this was a tough shot to capture. Good idea with using the chair, you really can't tell at all. This is really great work with a new camera. I can see why you choose to use a border, I think a lot of voters are very opinionated about borders. I really think with out the border the box, the concept of being in the box may have been missed. Keep up the good work and I look forward to your future entries.

Dreamer
by 308

Comment:
*Critique Club*

"Dreamer" is an image that does definitely meet the challenge qualifications. This was another hard challenge with 364 entries. I really do think voters start to get burned out in a challenge so big. Unfortunately I think the burn out really does effect scores sometimes.

Your shot is very nice and square. I really like how full the frame is. It is really wish the lighting had been different. It really takes away from the focus. The eye looking more like a black hole is very distracting. The focus on the whiskers is excellent. It sometimes can be so hard to use natural to get the effect you want. Maybe even a slightly different angle would allow for a better shot, lighting wise. Overall the lighting hurt the score but you a great basis and I look forward to your next challenge.

Jigsaw
by divernick

Comment:
*Critique Club*

At first glance of your shot, I see an extremely well taken photo. "Jigsaw" is an excellent addition into the Square crop challenge. Even though you took a simple object you were able to make a piece that can stand above the rest. Normally 39th place might not be that great but when you are looking at a challenge that consist of 364 entries its is excellent.

The image itself is a wonderful piece. I think the lighting you used is the most striking piece. The way the light is able to capture the edges so delicately and enhance the depth of the texture on the leaves themselves. Also the composition is excellent, I don't think leaving the tips of the leaves on the top would have increased your score. The water droplets on the bottom are also nice and I do like the fact there are only three of them. Also I am torn as if I would have left the hole in the leaf or found another one if available, I don't think it would have hurt or better the score.

Excellent work!

Not Bifocals
by fotomann_forever

Comment:
Oh my goodness, here's another one for the books!