Rocky landscape
by snaffles

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club

Hi Susan

It's been a while since I got one of your images for critique.

You did quite OK in this challenge I think. There were so many wonderful images to compete against.

I think this is a lovely shot of the mountains. You have done so well to keep it so sharp considering it is taken through an airplane window, never the cleanest things at the best of times.

The composition works well and it seems only natural that it would be in Black and White. My only real critique comes to the b&w conversion. Somehow I would like to see a bit more variation in the tones, particularly the mid-tones.

I don't know what order your did your processing ie if it follows what you have listed in your notes or not. I personally think the best thing to do when converting to B&W is to do the conversion before adjusting the levels, contrast or curves. By making a levels adjustment to the colour image you are not going to optimise your B&W conversion. I would definitely do the desaturation (or whichever method you use for B&W) first and then adjust the contrast and exposure after that. (As always, this is just my opinion - take it for what it's worth).

I also feel the image is a bit over sharpened. I don't know it's really necessary to use both sharpen and usm. I think a touch of USM before saving for the web is probably enough.

But anyway, great image and one I'd be happy to have in my collection.

Sarah

Late-Day Lawn
by 777STAN

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club

I will attempt to give you some feedback as to why you did not score above 5.

For me the thing that stands out in this image is that it does not really shout landscape. I think to give it more of a landscape feel I would want to have a wider angle of view. It looks too much like a photograph of a tree. (Remember, this is just my opinion).

From a technical point of view, I think the burnt out white sky has cost you quite a few points. It doesn't add any interest to the image and is so bright it almost makes you squint.

It's such a high contrast scene, the bright sky and dark shadows that it's difficult to see any detail and again this will have cost you in points.

Lastly, as Ja-9 stated, it does feel oversharp. Perhaps stick just with the USM rather than using sharpness (which I find a bit harsh) and then USM.

Mainly I think this image failed to reach a 5 as it does not fit the true landscape category.

Kevin & The Northern Lights
by orvaratli

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club

Hmm, this is a challenge for me. How to give any valuable feedback for an image that came in 8th place? I think your score and placing speak volumes about this image.

I cannot begin to imagine what it must have been like to be so close to the volcano and to see aurora at the same time. Just incredible. As you wrote in your photog notes, it is a real shame that this is in B&W. The colour version you have on flickr is incredible. Definitely the B&W does not do this justice at all. Even though this is a beautiful stand alone image, it is nothing compared to the colour version.

Congratulations on your top ten.

Emerald Tide
by tehben

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club

Well you got me again!

Well, your score was just about bang in the middle of the voting scale, so not bad, not especially good either. I suspect you were a bit disappointed with this. I liked it, but there was little wow factor. Something I think you really need for a FS to do well. I think this is one of those places where a photo will never really portray the reality in a good way.

Personally I felt the composition of this image is what hurt the score the most. I think a wider angle may have given a bit more context and made the image a little bit more interesting. The colours are good, the exposure is good, but the image is really lacking a strong subject.

Sarah

Flower Print
by tehben

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club

I was surprised this didn't score a little better. I thought this was a very simple but rather effective shot. I like the composition and the choice to use an outdoor setting was good.

Perhaps the score is not higher because it is not what could be considered a traditional fashion shot. I find it hard to come up with suggestions to make it better, as I rather like it as is.

Sorry this was not more in depth.

Sarah

_MG_6849.jpg
by laposto

Comment:
What a beautiful image.

Guiding Light
by hesitant

Comment:
Well done on the top 5!

Rebirth
by Tammster

Comment:
Fabulous score for any challenge. Well done on the 4th place.

Eye Spy
by JimiRose

Comment:
My top pick in the FS. Wonderful portrait.

Beachcombers
by Melethia

Comment:
Glad to see you are back in the higher score zone. Sorry it didn't quite tip 6. Well done though, strong entry and a decent score. And a posthumous fantasy art comment

Message edited by author 2010-05-08 00:08:25.