The Alley Out Back
by surlybiff

Comment:
Challenge was not called "Looking Down", it was "From Above II". Semantics I know, but let's at least give it the right title.

I read your forum post and thought I'd just take a look and comment on the picture. I think the answer to your question is yes, the subject is important when voting. And probably that is why you have scored as high as you did, in the same way that the subject is the reason the bird scored as low as it did.

In other words, the bird, which placed higher than you, is a very good image, but because it didn't really meet the challenge as such it has scored lower than it would have done in a Free Study type challenge.

So, yes, image quality combined with meeting the subject of the challenge contribute to the score.

The center of their universe
by Melethia

Comment:
Well done Deb, this is great. I wondered if this was yours

Shades Of Green
by Tinkerbelle

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club

Congratulations on finally taking the plunge to enter a challenge here on DPC. And congratulations too on receiving a decent score for your first ever entry.

I like the composition very much, the path leading you to the door leaves you wondering what is behind the door. The green is lovely and vibrant, definitely not over saturated.

I'm not sure what I would do differently with this image. I like it as it is. Probably it doesn't have enough of the DPC wow factor to score over a 6.

Ice Drama
by orvaratli

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club

First of all, many congratulations on the blue ribbon!

Now you have made my job very difficult, for how am I supposed to critique the top scoring image in this Free Study.

Composition, colours editing all are excellent. I don't know what you could possibly do to improve it.

Colourful Music
by dwoychuk

Comment:
Greetings from the Critique Club

I can see what you are trying to do with this image, only sadly, I don't think it works too well. If this was for a different challenge I'm sure you would have scored much higher. Technically the image is OK, although I might be tempted to boost the midtones a bit with a levels adjustment. I took the liberty of tweaking it myself in Photoshop and did manage to make it pop a little bit more.

I think the main reason you didn't make it to a 5, is the subject matter. This is the Free Study and typically there is an incredibly high standard of excellent images every month. To score well in a free study, you do really need to have an image that will wow the voters, sadly this does not do that, even if it is a perfectly competent photograph.

Sarah

turning the other cheek
by Ecce_Signum

Comment:
Look how many views you got because it's posted in nude! And I'm still not convinced it's not a Self Portrait! :)

Pretty ugly
by Melethia

Comment:
Gosh, I hadn't come across this one before, but cannot quite understand the 4.9 score.

who knows lol
by Lutchenko

Comment:
Got to be Covent Garden watching some street performers?

That Quenchless Flame
by DrAchoo

Comment:
This is stunning. My 10 for this challenge.

Chasing a dream
by Zigomar

Comment:
Was one my highest scoring in this challenge and certainly one of my favourite!