Wrapped-for-the-Winter.jpg
by killjoy181

Comment:
This scene has real potential. I'd like to suggest a few things to experiment with:
1) Try it in B&W. The only real color is the sky, and by losing that color, you emphasize shape and tone, which is what this shot seems to be about to me.

2) Really ramp up the contrast and see how it looks. Drive the shadows to pure black.

3) If you get the chance to reshoot, try a different composition. I like the nearby bale where it is, but I think it might be a little more balanced if the large distant bale were near the upper right instead of so close visually to the nearby one.

4) Looks like you have some sensor dust. Look at it at 50%-100% scale and scan around looking for darkish blobs, and then clone them out. Not sure how to do that? Here's your chance to learn! :) Search Google - I'm sure there are plenty of tutorials around, and cloning against a blue sky is about the easiest way to start that I can think of.

Seeing into Another World
by killjoy181

Comment:
Beautiful shot of a beautiful object. My only suggestion would be to bump up the contrast. But looking at your commenters' average, I'd say you definitely impressed them. It's hard to please everyone, so when you so clearly please at least a known audience, take it and run! :)

Brakes! Brakes!
by killjoy181

Comment:
Had I voted, I would've given this a 9 or a 10. I like to test my sense of DPC scoring, so I guessed you scored a 6.8 with this. I'm amazed to see it at 6.3 The sense of speed, of a tiny slice of time caught on camera, the composition - they're all just fantastic. And I love how sharp the head is while the wings are a blur - that says to me that the bird has inner calm, and is totally focused on what it's doing, while its wings whir along automatically. So I read your comments to see why people didn't vote it higher, only to find uniformly positive remarks. So I remain baffled why it didn't do better. No matter, it's one to cherish, and it's going in my faves.

Imperfect symmetry
by Camabs

Comment:
This strikes me as a test image to see how the lensbaby works, as opposed to a planned, competition-level image. When we were doing the blur side challenge, a regular question was "why blur?" Having such a small area in focus certainly drives my eye to the sharp part, but once there, I find nothing to hold my interest. Now, if there had been someone in the window, or something falling to the ground, or a shaft of light, or a color, or something, that would've been different.

When the "I Bought it on eBay" challenge ends tomorrow night, look at my image. It has some similarities, but also some differenecs, so and see why you think the score is so much higher. Like your shot, some commenters have said they don't like the selective focus, but I have more who like where I drew their attention.

Blame Hofmann
by Camabs

Comment:
I think you did a nice job with this - I voted it a 7. I like the lighting and how the guy seems exhausted from reading. As for non-vertical verticals, the main effect to me is to make it look more ominous, as the bookshelf seems to be about to fall over on him. Only you can decide if you like that or not.

Comparison
by Camabs

Comment:
I think that, instead of stopping down to get the front apple in focus, I'd suggest dropping it out of the picture. Go for as many contrasts as possible: apple/orange, green/orange, near/far, sharp/blurred, AND one/many. If you decide to retry it, I suggest also moving to a lower angle so the close apple towers over the distant oranges. Also, try spraying some water on the apple (can't tell you why, but it usually adds interest), and make the apple brighter than the oranges.

Ooops
by Camabs

Comment:
I like how the light plays across her face, including catching her eye on the dark side. Her expression is great, too. Yeah, the focus leaves a litle to be desired, but not much. This is a shot about emotion and reaction, not tack sharpness.

Livin' La Vida Loca
by mpeters

Comment:
Everything about this shot is spot on. First, I love the surprise - I noticed you right away, but then I see your son lying next to you. The harsh lighting reflects the less-than-glamorous moment, as does your shirt riding up a bit. But hey, not everything in life is gorgeous models and stunning lanscapes. :)

Heads or Tails
by mpeters

Comment:
I like the framing, the colors, the idea, and the title. :) Something's weird in the editing, though. Were you doing a lot of changes using masks? It seems like some of the edges weren't quite right.

See. Spot. Run.
by mpeters

Comment:
I really like the feeling of motion in this. Makes me imagine a neon car with the neon dog hanging out the neon window. :)