Bronze
by fotofan

Comment:
Very nice comp, lovely lighting, just not sure if you really needed the strawberries. IMHO think a crop on the right with the vertical line, and no strawberries, would have made for a better shot.

"Avocado of the week"
by pjotre7

Comment:
was wondering if we'd see any b/w in this challenge. Nice job.

Watermelon
by Lelez

Comment:
very simple and elegant shot. watermelon-flavoured booze? who'da thunk? :-) 7

Diversity
by Rino63

Comment:
great texture on the pear, nice dof

fruitful perspective
by patagonia

Comment:
whoa, getting vertigo looking at the reflection! Very different take alright.

Home
by johansec

Comment:
lovely, simple elegant old Dutch masters style shot. Great work! 8

Just a "Bit" Happy
by digichic

Comment:
Interesting bit, don't think I've seen a snaffle used with a chin chain before. But who am I to BITch? ;-)

Through The Ashes
by Cboydrun

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

A very pleasing portrait, beautiful girl with a great face and proportions. Her eyes are indeed wonderful and captivating. The studio lighting is lovely with maybe just a little bit of glare on her hair to the right.

However, the composition is quite static - such a lovely girl and apart from the makeup, so little seems to have been done with her! There simply isn't enough to tell a story here, and that was the purpose of this challenge. Yes, her glorious eyes are eloquent, but they can't do all the work.

I also watch ANTM and pay attention to the shoots, so I can understand your inspiration. But Tyra is always insistent that the girls learn how to tell a story with their faces and bodies. The ashes only seemed to confuse most commenters (and they are limited to only the shoulders and face). The giant diamond further confused me. If she's come through the ashes, well, how has she done that? If she were outside, or emerging from a burned-out building, there would be some sense of context and perhaps suffering.

Overall, a nicely executed shot for a portrait challenge, but I'm afraid the concept is just too weak to carry it further than that. Gorgeous model, do use her in the future if you can.

Feel free to PM me with any questions,

Susan

Story of the Dead
by asij

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

Looks like the cover for a horror novel, and could well be! Very spooky and perhaps odd image for this challenge, which was meant to capture one person's spirit...which I suppose you did too, by turning them into a ghost.

Surprised by the very high ISO at which you shot, for what is essentially a pleasing, wide-angle landscape with a spook happening to make an appearance. Like how the snow and sky patterns seem to complement each other, and the starkness of the house adds to the unsettling atmosphere. The lighting on your ghost looks a bit harsh and the slightly downward angle at which you shot certainly adds a ghost-rising-from-the-grave feel!

A very interesting shot and would love to know more in terms of your setup and what you wanted to convey.

Feel free to PM me with any questions,

Susan

Post-Retirement: Rebirth as a Natural Sculptor
by geinafets

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

What a wonderful backstory. It's amazing what a little spare time can allow you to try, and I am so glad that Don has found something so creative to occupy himself with. I love the way you surrounded him with his art, and the textures of the wood and sea-worn stones is a great way to offset your subject.

Technically, the glare on top of his hair is a little distracting, but that's my only real nitpick. The ambient light is great, looks like it was taken during golden hour or just shortly after sunset. The slightly oof quality to his face lends it a feeling of mystery - what business was he in, in his previous life? And what compelled him to start creating art from driftwood and rocks? I find the shallow DOF a little surprising, but it worked well enough to help you get a top 20!

Overall a very lovely portrait of a man who must have some interesting stories, settled comfortably into his new life. Good work!

Feel free to PM me with any questions,

Susan